POS Solution Architect

POS Solution Architect 2 interviews 1 year 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 gas POS platform. This role focuses on architecture direction, system boundaries, and integration patterns, not detailed solution design or implementation. The Solution Architect works closely with the Retail POS Lead, Business Analyst, and client 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 to architectural intent Collaborate with client-provided 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 environments with high integration density and legacy middleware platforms (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 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 (fuel, convenience, big-box, or specialty retail) 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 architects or portfolio architecture teams