Platform Architect

Aspida is a tech-driven, nimble insurance carrier backed by Ares Management Corporation, a leading global alternative asset manager. We offer simple and secure retirement solutions and annuity products with speed and precision, focusing on protecting the dreams of our partners, producers, and clients. Our suite of products is available through an elegant and intuitive digital platform, emphasizing secure, stable retirement solutions with attractive features and downside protection.

About the role

Aspida is transforming how annuity and retirement products are serviced and distributed. We are seeking a Platform Architect to lead the target-state architecture behind this transformation. In this role, you will partner with business, product, and technology stakeholders to design scalable, secure, and maintainable enterprise solutions aligned with Aspida's strategic objectives. You will provide architectural guidance and leadership from concept through implementation, enabling our engineering teams to deliver with confidence. This position reports to the Director of Architecture and requires onsite presence 3 days a week at our Durham, NC headquarters.

Responsibilities

• Lead target-state architecture and guide technology roadmaps for strategic, high-ambiguity, cross-system modernization efforts.
• Create and maintain solution architecture artifacts, design documentation, and decision records.
• Provide architectural oversight from concept through implementation and production support.
• Assess emerging technologies and trends across the digital insurance ecosystem to recommend innovative solutions.
• Facilitate workshops and design sessions; communicate architectural recommendations and concepts clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Create detailed software architecture diagrams to document technical challenges and define robust, future-proof solutions.
• Establish architectural patterns, constraints, and non-functional requirements that enable engineers to deliver safely and confidently.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Finance, or related field plus 6+ years of experience in core financial services architecture, design, and solution delivery.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and systems-thinking skills with the ability to understand complex business processes and align technology solutions accordingly.
• Experience building financial, accounting, insurance, or other highly regulated systems with a strong understanding of enterprise controls, auditability, and operational excellence.
• Knowledge of cloud platforms and modern web application technologies.
• Understanding of security architecture principles, including authentication, authorization, encryption, and secure application design.
• Experience with the full Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), Agile delivery methodologies, DevSecOps practices, and CI/CD pipelines.
• Strong written communication and facilitation skills, with experience creating architecture artifacts such as solution designs, sequence diagrams, component diagrams, deployment diagrams, and technical specifications.
• Proven critical thinker with a bias for action, adaptability, innovation mindset, strong communication skills, and the ability to influence technical and business partners across the organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with the life insurance, annuities, retirement products, wealthtech, fintech, or another regulated financial-services environment.
• Proficiency with JIRA, Confluence, Miro, and related collaboration tools.
• Demonstrated AI fluency and the ability to leverage AI-enabled tools to improve analysis, documentation, and delivery efficiency.
• Experience designing partner-facing APIs, data feeds, webhooks, or status services; familiarity with ACORD or IRI Digital First for Annuities.

Benefits

• Salaried position with Direct Ownership Equity Long-Term (DOE) incentive plan.
• Full-time role with a comprehensive benefits package.

Aspida values inclusivity and welcomes candidates from diverse backgrounds, including non-traditional paths. Unique experiences enrich our team, and a willingness to dream big makes you an exceptional candidate.