Lead Software Engineer, Architect

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Costa Rica.

📋 Description

• Define the target architecture for the upgraded platform, encompassing front-end frameworks, API/services layer, data persistence, integration middleware, and infrastructure (both Azure and on-premise).

• Generate reference architectures, architectural decision records (ADRs), and migration roadmaps that assist engineering teams in achieving phased modernization objectives.

• Design hybrid integration patterns that facilitate the coexistence of cloud-native and on-premise components during transition phases, including networking, identity, and data synchronization strategies.

• Lead architectural reviews and design sessions across front-end, back-end, data, and infrastructure workstreams, ensuring consistency, quality, and alignment with the target architecture.

• Mentor and guide senior engineers and tech leads on architectural patterns, modernization strategies, and Azure best practices.

• Assess and recommend technologies, frameworks, and platforms; create decision memos with clear trade-off analyses for leadership review.

• Conduct evaluations of legacy systems, including codebase analysis, dependency mapping, performance profiling, and data architecture reviews, to inform modernization sequencing and risk mitigation.

• Design and validate migration strategies (re-platform, re-architect, re-factor) for individual system components, balancing speed, risk, and long-term maintainability.

• Develop and supervise proofs of concept and reference implementations that mitigate risks associated with critical architectural decisions before extensive engineering begins.

• Present architectural strategies, options, and progress to senior technical and business leadership, translating complex technical concepts into clear business impacts.

• Collaborate with the client’s existing architecture, engineering, and infrastructure teams to align standards, governance, and shared technical direction.

• Partner with program management to ensure architectural decisions are integrated into delivery plans, resource requirements, and risk assessments.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Software Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience.

• MUST possess proficiency in both written and spoken English (85%).

• Over 10 years of professional software engineering experience, with a minimum of 5 years in a solutions architect or enterprise architect role.

• Proven expertise in architectural design across the entire application stack: front-end (React, Angular, or other modern frameworks), API/services tier (RESTful APIs, microservices, event-driven architectures), and data layer (relational databases, NoSQL, data pipelines).

• Extensive knowledge of Microsoft Azure cloud services, including App Services, Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), Azure SQL, Cosmos DB, Azure Functions, Azure API Management, Azure DevOps, and Azure Networking (VNets, Private Link, ExpressRoute).

• Established experience in designing and implementing hybrid architectures that integrate Azure cloud and on-premise infrastructure, including identity federation (Entra ID/Active Directory), data synchronization, and network connectivity.

• Expert proficiency in API design and integration architecture, covering API gateway patterns, service mesh, and enterprise integration patterns for bridging legacy and modern systems.

• Strong background in application modernization strategies: monolith decomposition, strangler fig pattern, database migration, and phased re-platforming.

• Expert knowledge of CI/CD pipelines, infrastructure as code (Terraform, Bicep, or ARM templates), and DevOps practices for hybrid environments.

• Experience with performance and scalability engineering, including load testing, capacity planning, caching strategies, and observability (Application Insights, Grafana, or similar tools).

• Expertise in security architecture, including zero-trust principles, identity and access management, encryption both at rest and in transit, and compliance considerations.

• Azure certifications (e.g., Azure Solutions Architect Expert, Azure DevOps Engineer Expert) are advantageous.

• Experience in life sciences, diagnostics, healthcare, or regulated sectors is a plus.

• Familiarity with data engineering concepts (ETL/ELT, data lakes, data warehousing) is beneficial.

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities, with the capacity to operate effectively when requirements are ambiguous or the way forward is unclear.

• Strong communication skills and the ability to collaborate within cross-functional teams.

🏝️ Benefits

• Health insurance

• Retirement plans

• Flexible work arrangements

• Professional development