Chief, Software Architect

Chief, Software Architect

ROLE DESCRIPTION SUMMARY

The Chief Software Architect contributes to the goal of the SW CoE to provide visionary thought leadership and foster a culture of innovation, driving the technical direction of the organization towards excellence. The incumbent will support transformative initiatives by architecting scalable, secure, and efficient software solutions that empower our teams and clients to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Through seamless integration and full orchestration of systems and technologies, s/he will ensure that our software ecosystem is cohesive, future-ready, and aligned with the strategic goals of the business. By championing collaboration, continuous improvement, and best practices, s/he leads their organization in delivering high-impact, high-quality software solutions that enable sustainable growth and lasting success."

• Collaborate with the HQ to define and drive the software architectural strategy to revolutionize the SES business through disruptive software advancement
• Participates to the creation and implementation of the Strategy of the SW CoE participating actively to the CoE Management team activities and initiatives.
• Lead the onsite SW Architects and Product Owners providing technical guidance and participating to hands-on tasks in the creation of SW Architectures, Requirements documents and user stories.
• Foster a culture of innovation and agility, encouraging the adoption of innovative technologies and methodologies to deliver efficient end-to-end services

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES / KEY RESULT AREAS

• Responsible as people manager leading technical teams of software architects and engineers allocated directly to them.
• Mentor and coach team members, fostering talent development and knowledge sharing.
• Promote a culture of technical excellence, innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the team
• Responsible for managing and defining the software architecture services and resources to deliver the product catalogue of the CoE in response to the product management & engineering specifications
• Serve as the primary authority and go-to expert in software engineering architecture
• Implement automation and orchestration home-grown SW tools to enhance system efficiency
• Provide visionary insights and strategic guidance on emerging technologies, industry trends, and best practices.
• Influence and drive the adoption of innovative technologies and methodologies across the organization.
• Oversee the development of architectural frameworks, standards, and guidelines
• Leads the orchestration of software solutions, ensuring cohesive integration and optimized workflows, in close collaboration with the leader of Digital Architecture and IT
• Ensure seamless data flow and interoperability across various platforms and applications
• Work closely with cross-functional teams, including developers, engineers, product managers, and business stakeholders
• Communicate complex technical concepts and strategies to non-technical stakeholders effectively
• Conduct regular reviews and audits to ensure compliance with standards and best practices
• Identify and mitigate SW design risks and issues
• Responsible for orchestrating engineering & operations internal proposals against product requests from the product management/engineering functions for new capabilities required as part of the new or continuous product development

COMPETENCIES

• Technical Expertise: Deep understanding of software architecture principles, cloud computing, microservices, and API-driven development. Domain knowledge in Telecommunication and satellite systems.
• Leadership: Strong leadership and people management skills, with experience in leading distributed and multicultural teams.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to think strategically and make decisions that align with long-term business goals.
• Holistic View of the System: ensure that software architects and OSS/BSS architects have a unified understanding of the full stack, from underlying software components to business and operational workflows
• Problem-Solving: Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to tackle complex technical challenges also acting as an escalation point for the team.
• Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Customer Orientation: A customer-first mindset, with a focus on delivering exceptional service and user experiences

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Master's degree in computer science, Information Technology, or related field
• +15 years of experience in Software Development and End-to-End Software Architecture
• +10 years of experience in leadership positions, preferably of teams of teams
• Domain knowledge in Telecommunication and satellite systems
• Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing complex software solutions for large-scale systems.
• Experience leading architecture for SaaS, PaaS, or enterprise-level applications
• Track record of providing strategic direction and technical oversight in aligning software architecture with business goals
• In-depth knowledge of security standards and compliance requirements for specific industries or platforms
• A history of driving innovation and solving complex technical problems with forward-thinking architectural solutions
• Experience in influencing the adoption of emerging technologies and driving digital transformation initiatives. Solid experience of telecommunications and space environment
• Hands-on experience with AI/ML integration, blockchain, or IoT technologies to innovate in innovative areas
• Knowledge of edge computing, big data architectures, and real-time processing frameworks (e.g., Apache Kafka, Spark) is advantageous.

OTHER KEY REQUIREMENTS / COMMENTS

• Office presence of three to four days per week at company premises
• Willing and able for regular international travel

Embark on a career with us, where diversity isn't just a buzzword – it's our driving force. We are crafting a workplace mosaic that values every hue, background, and perspective. Join a global team where inclusivity sparks innovation, and individuality is not only embraced but celebrated. At SES we are committed to hiring inspiring individuals from all backgrounds. We take great pride in creating safe and inclusive processes and we support the recruitment, retention, and evolution of all employees irrespective of gender, colour, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disability, veteran or marital status, background or walk in life. 

SES is an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes diversity!

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