Solution Architect

About the role

The Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) is seeking a Solution Architect to join our team. As a hands-on technical leader, you will be responsible for designing, governing, and guiding the implementation of enterprise application and integration solutions.

Responsibilities

• Partner with business stakeholders, IT teams, and vendors throughout the SDLC to ensure solutions align with architectural standards, coding best practices, and PMO methodologies.
• Lead architectural discussions to evaluate requirements, assess technical feasibility, and design end-to-end solutions for enterprise systems and applications.
• Develop architectural blueprints, solution diagrams, integration patterns, and technical roadmaps.
• Provide hands-on technical leadership and mentor engineers in architecture principles, design patterns, and emerging technologies.
• Evaluate new technologies, conduct Proofs of Concept, and recommend improvements to IHDA’s technology ecosystem.
• Establish and promote best practices for application architecture, integration, performance, security, scalability, and maintainability.
• Collaborate with Project Managers to ensure architectural alignment across project milestones and deliverables.
• Identify risks, inefficiencies, and vulnerabilities in systems, guiding corrective action through improved design or process enhancements.
• Lead code, design, and security reviews to ensure adherence to architectural and coding standards.
• Provide Tier-3 technical oversight during high-severity incidents and drive long-term remediation strategies.
• Support and refine release management processes, ensuring technical readiness and documentation completeness.
• Continuously improve architecture processes, integration frameworks, DevOps practices, and development standards.
• Spend approximately 30–50% of their time coding, primarily for proofs of concept and complex technical solutions.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, or related technical field preferred.
• 7–10 years of hands-on experience with:
• Microsoft database technologies including SQL Server 2014+, SSIS, Power BI, and data warehouse concepts.
• Microsoft web technologies: .NET Core, .NET 4.6+, C#, ASP.NET, HTML, XML, JavaScript, jQuery, JSON.
• API and website design, including corresponding data and integration architecture.
• Implementing and managing CI/CD pipelines using Azure DevOps (Repos, Pipelines, Boards).
• Git, Azure DevOps, source control, testing methodologies, and configuration/change management.
• 3–5 years of experience developing applications for SharePoint 2016+/Online, including: SharePoint out-of-the-box features (pages, forms, workflows, App Catalog) Templates, Page Layouts, Web Parts and Object Model
• Experience architecting high performing, responsive, secure, scalable solutions using Azure App Services and related Azure technologies.
• Strong SQL database development skills, including performance tuning, indexing strategies, and optimization using SQL Profiler.
• Experience with project/issue management tools such as Jira or Monday.com, and strong familiarity with SDLC and PMO processes.
• Strong troubleshooting, communication, documentation, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with AI agent development and emerging AI best practices
• Self-starter with initiative, ownership, and a positive, high energy approach.
• Experience with Crystal Reports and SSRS in transactional and data warehouse environments preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Alternating between sitting, standing, and walking.
• Ancending and descending stairs.
• Crouching and stooping.
• Pushing and pulling.
• Reaching overhead or below.
• Repetitive task movements (filing, keyboarding, copying).
• Lifting, carrying, and moving objects of up to 10 -15 pounds.

What we Offer

• Paid time off, plus paid holidays
• Hybrid work arrangement, but candidates must reside in Illinois at time of hire
• Medical/dental/vision/life insurance plans
• Short/long term disability
• Tuition reimbursement
• Flex spending
• 401K plan – immediate vesting
• IHDA employees may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs
• Salary range: $111,503.84 - $139,379.80
• Must be a resident of Illinois or willing to relocate.
• Flexible scheduling is available, upon completion of a six-month probationary period.
• Equal Opportunity Employer