Solutions Architect

End Client: California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS)

Job Title: Solution Architect

Duration: Contract

Location: West Sacramento, CA

Position Type: Contract (12 -36 Months)

Work Model: Hybrid – Onsite 2–3 business days per week

Interview Type: Online/Onsite

Department: Technology Services

Ceipal ID: SCA_CLOUD980_RP

Job Summary:

• CalSTRS is seeking an experienced Solution Architect with a strong background in enterprise architecture, cloud solutions, AI/ML, Generative AI, distributed systems, and large-scale technology implementations. The selected candidate will lead technical architecture and software implementation initiatives while collaborating with IT teams, business stakeholders, project teams, and enterprise leadership.
• The Solution Architect will design and implement scalable, secure, highly available, and cost-effective technology solutions across cloud and hybrid environments. The role requires hands-on experience with AI/ML and GenAI architecture, agentic workflows, cloud strategy, FinOps, microservices, event-driven architecture, APIs, and enterprise integration.

Responsibilities:

• Define and lead enterprise and solution architecture for complex technology initiatives.
• Translate business and technical requirements into scalable, secure, and maintainable architecture solutions.
• Architect and implement AI/ML and Generative AI solutions across enterprise environments.
• Design GenAI applications using RAG, AI agents, orchestration, model integration, and enterprise AI platforms.
• Develop cloud architecture strategies across AWS, Azure, and/or GCP.
• Lead end-to-end cloud implementations, migrations, integrations, and modernization initiatives.
• Design highly available, fault-tolerant, scalable, and resilient systems.
• Develop cloud cost-optimization and FinOps strategies.
• Establish architecture standards for SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS environments.
• Design hybrid-cloud and multi-cloud solutions addressing security, governance, compliance, and operational requirements.
• Architect microservices, distributed systems, event-driven platforms, and API-based integrations.
• Evaluate technology platforms, frameworks, tools, and architectural patterns.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders, engineering teams, infrastructure teams, security teams, project managers, and enterprise architecture groups.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance throughout solution implementation and delivery.
• Ensure solutions comply with organizational standards, SDLC processes, security requirements, and industry best practices.
• Identify technical risks, dependencies, scalability concerns, and opportunities for modernization.
• Provide architectural recommendations, technical documentation, diagrams, standards, and implementation guidance.
• Mentor technical teams and guide implementation of complex architectural solutions.
• Support governance, architecture reviews, technical assessments, and strategic technology planning.

Required Skills:

• 15+ years of Information Technology experience, including experience as a Technical Developer/Lead, Software Engineer, Application Architect, Solution Architect, Enterprise Architect, or similar technical leadership role.
• 10+ years of experience incorporating open, non-proprietary SDLC methodologies to lead and manage technical aspects of software/solution implementation projects.
• Demonstrated experience collaborating with IT divisions, business stakeholders, project teams, and technical leadership while following implementation standards, processes, procedures, and industry best practices.
• 7+ years of experience architecting, designing, and implementing AI/ML use cases and/or Generative AI solutions.
• 5+ years of experience leading cloud architecture across AWS, Azure, and/or GCP for large or complex environments.
• Experience with multi-tier applications, enterprise integrations, cloud migrations, end-to-end cloud solution delivery, cloud security, networking, scalability, and performance.
• 3+ years of experience designing high-availability and fault-tolerant systems and implementing cost-optimization strategies across SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS.
• 2+ years of experience with AI infrastructure, agentic workflows and orchestration, Generative AI design patterns, cloud strategy, FinOps, hybrid/multi-cloud environments, and AI security, compliance, and governance.
• 2+ years of experience designing microservices architectures, distributed systems, event-driven architectures, API-based architectures, and enterprise integration solutions.

Preferred / Desired Skills:

• Cloud architecture and/or GenAI/GenBI certifications, such as:
• Snowflake SnowPro Advanced – Architect
• AWS Solutions Architect – Professional
• Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert
• Equivalent cloud or AI architecture certifications
• 2+ years of IT consulting experience supporting technical solution implementations within large public-sector or governmental agencies.
• Experience supervising and guiding technical implementations using recognized industry standards and best practices such as PMI, PMBOK, SAFe, IEEE, or other recognized architecture, engineering, or project delivery frameworks.
• Experience working in large enterprise or government environments.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Technology, Software Engineering, or a related technical field.