Sr. Applications Architect

Job Summary

General Experience Expectations: A minimum of seven years of experience in multiple IT areas and two to three years of relevant architecture experience. Requires advanced to expert-level knowledge and understanding of architecture, application systems design, and integration.

The Department's OIT is seeking one experienced Applications Architect under the working title Senior Application Programming Interface (APIs) Administrator and Developer.

• Provides design recommendations aligned with the long‑term IT organization strategy;
• Develops enterprise‑level applications and custom integration solutions, including major enhancements and interfaces, functions, and features;
• Uses a variety of platforms to provide automated systems applications to customers;
• Provides expertise regarding the integration of applications across the business;
• Determines specifications, then plans, designs, and develops the most complex and business‑critical software solutions, utilizing appropriate software engineering processes—either individually or in concert with a project team;
• Assists in resolving the most difficult support problems;
• Develops programming and development standards and procedures, as well as programming architectures for code reuse;
• Possesses in-depth knowledge of state‑of‑the‑art programming languages and object‑oriented approaches in designing, coding, testing, and debugging programs;
• Understands and consistently applies the attributes and processes of current application development methodologies;
• Researches and maintains knowledge in emerging technologies and their possible application to the business;
• Recognized both internally and externally as a technical expert and critical technical resource across multiple disciplines;
• Acts as an internal consultant, advocate, mentor, and change agent.

A bachelor’s degree or master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Computer Science, Information Systems, or another related field, or four years of equivalent work experience is required. Relevant experience may be substituted for education on a year‑for‑year basis when applicable.

• A minimum of three years of hands‑on APIs design and development experience;
• Ability to effectively communicate API functionalities and design choices to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders;
• Creative problem‑solving skills essential for navigating challenges in API development and integration;
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with frontend and backend developers, UI/UX designers, system architects, and project managers;
• Proficiency in Visual Studio, Azure API Management, Swagger, and Postman;
• Expert knowledge of REST architectural style and JSON; and HTTP transport protocols;
• Ability to effectively document API decisions, including HTTP methods, URIs, resource meanings, query parameters, headers, and example payloads;
• Ability to develop consumable, efficient APIs that balance a great consumer experience with best‑fit backend integration using C#, MVC, .NET Core, Azure Gov, SOA, and MSTest;
• Expertise in web services including REST, WebAPI, SOAP, Microsoft SQL Server, and IBM DB2 on mainframe systems;
• Front‑end optimization skills such as server‑side heavy lifting, CORS, and SDK construction;
• Understanding of orchestration paradigms and proficiency in designing composite APIs for complex orchestration;
• Comprehensive knowledge of enterprise integration approaches, focusing on SOA, to support the organization’s evolution into a robust API provider.
• Must complete a Level II Background Check.

• Ability to identify when existing internal or external APIs offer required functionality to determine when a mashup is the most efficient solution;
• Proven experience working within a state‑government environment;
• Proficiency in analyzing the operating parameters of third‑party APIs—including SLAs, terms, conditions, and rate limits—to determine viability or risk to consumers;
• Expertise in navigating complex challenges within diverse API programs to create advanced orchestration beyond basic cross‑platform capabilities;
• Abil…