Solution Architect

Solution Architect

Role Overview

The Solution Architect is responsible for defining the target-state architecture and POS decoupling strategy as part of a pre-RFP discovery and specification engagement for a large-scale retail POS platform. This role focuses on architecture direction system boundaries and integration patternsnot detailed solution design or implementation.

The Solution Architect works closely with the Retail POS Lead Business Analyst and subject matter experts to ensure that business requirements architectural principles and vendor expectations are aligned. A key responsibility of this role is to prevent future vendor lock-in by defining clear architectural constraints and integration expectations before vendor selection.

Key Responsibilities

Target-State Architecture Definition

Define the target-state solution architecture for a modern decoupled retail POS ecosystem

Establish architectural principles standards and constraints to guide vendor selection

Define system-of-record boundaries and ownership of core business capabilities

Ensure architecture aligns with enterprise technology direction and retail operating needs

POS Decoupling & Integration Strategy

Assess and challenge existing POS assumptions where the POS acts as a primary system of record for downstream platforms

Define strategies to decouple the POS from internal systems including loyalty payments and adjacent platforms

Recommend integration patterns (API-based event-driven middleware) appropriate for a large retail footprint

Identify high-risk coupling and legacy customization patterns to be avoided in the future state

Collaboration with Business & Delivery Roles

Partner with the Retail POS Lead to align architecture with business objectives and vendor realities

Support the Business Analyst by ensuring requirements align with architectural intent

Collaborate with integration and security SMEs to validate feasibility and constraints

Provide architectural input into RFP requirements and evaluation criteria

RFP & Vendor Enablement

Translate architectural principles into clear vendor-consumable expectations

Define architectural constraints extensibility requirements and integration expectations for the RFP

Support vendor evaluation by clarifying architectural fit and trade-offs

Ensure the RFP discourages solutions that reintroduce tight coupling or proprietary dependencies

Risk Identification & Decision Support

Identify architectural risks related to scalability availability integration and vendor lock-in

Clearly communicate trade-offs and recommendations to technical and non-technical stakeholders

Support executive and governance forums with architecture-focused decision input

Required Skills & Experience

Senior experience as a Solution Architect or equivalent role

Experience defining architecture in high-integration and legacy middleware environments (e.g. ESB-based architectures mixed PCI / non-PCI domains)

Strong background in integration-heavy environments

Experience defining target-state architectures in complex enterprise contexts

Ability to operate at both conceptual and logical architecture levels

Strong documentation and communication skills

Experience working in discovery assessment or early-phase initiatives

Personal Attributes

Structured analytical and pragmatic

Comfortable operating with ambiguity and incomplete information

Able to explain architectural concepts to business stakeholders

Confident challenging assumptions and legacy design decisions

Collaborative and outcome-focused

Preferred Experience

Retail or multi-site distributed systems experience

Exposure to retail POS platforms

Experience supporting pre-RFP vendor selection or platform replacement initiatives

Familiarity with API-first event-driven and middleware-based integration patterns

Experience working alongside enterprise or portfolio architecture teams

Requirements

Requirements

Experience & Background

Senior-level experience as a Solution Architect (or equivalent)

Experience defining target-state architectures in complex enterprise environments

Strong experience in integration-heavy systems

Experience working with legacy middleware platforms (e.g. ESB-based architectures)

Experience in environments with mixed PCI and non-PCI systems

Experience in discovery assessment or early-phase initiatives

Technical & Architecture Skills

Ability to work at conceptual and logical architecture levels

Strong understanding of system-of-record boundaries

Knowledge of API-based event-driven and middleware integration patterns

Ability to identify and mitigate vendor lock-in risks

Strong architecture documentation skills

Communication & Working Style

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Able to explain technical architecture concepts to business stakeholders

Comfortable working with ambiguity and incomplete information

Confident challenging legacy assumptions and designs

Collaborative and outcome-focused approach

Preferred (Nice to Have)

Retail or multi-site distributed systems experience

Exposure to retail POS platforms

Experience supporting pre-RFP or vendor selection initiatives

Experience working with enterprise or portfolio architecture teams

Required Skills :

Requirements Experience & Background Senior-level experience as a Solution Architect (or equivalent) Experience defining target-state architectures in complex enterprise environments Strong experience in integration-heavy systems Experience working with legacy middleware platforms (e.g. ESB-based architectures) Experience in environments with mixed PCI and non-PCI systems Experience in discovery assessment or early-phase initiatives Technical & Architecture Skills Ability to work at conceptual and logical architecture levels Strong understanding of system-of-record boundaries Knowledge of API-based event-driven and middleware integration patterns Ability to identify and mitigate vendor lock-in risks Strong architecture documentation skills Communication & Working Style Strong written and verbal communication skills Able to explain technical architecture concepts to business stakeholders Comfortable working with ambiguity and incomplete information Confident challenging legacy assumptions and designs Collaborative and outcome-focused approach Preferred (Nice to Have) Retail or multi-site distributed systems experience Exposure to retail POS platforms Experience supporting pre-RFP or vendor selection initiatives Experience working with enterprise or portfolio architecture teams

Required Education :

Bachelors degree in Computer Science

Key Skills

Business Process,VMware,Cloud,HTML5,Windows,Project managements,AWS,Infrastructure,Web Services,JQuery,Java,Computer Engineering,Solutions design,Technical Solutions,Analytics

Employment Type : Full Time

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1

Monthly Salary Salary : 65 - 65