IT Solutions Architect

***This job is eligible for relocation assistance 

Colorado Springs Utilities is seeking a Solutions Architect whose core responsibility is to facilitate cohesive technology solutions across the enterprise, in alignment with our strategic business objectives and serves as a liaison between Information Technology, Cyber Security and Business technology owners/stakeholders, as needed to facilitate desired outcomes.  Additionally, function as the subject matter expert and advocate for the middleware architecture team.

Areas of Focus

• Learn and understand the business strategy and define the technology systems architecture to support that strategy
• Design scalable and adaptable systems to meet business strategies for now and in the future
• Recommend third-party systems that meet business requirements and integrate them into the enterprise architecture
• Provide architectural and design oversight for all new and ongoing application development
• Act as a leader among peers as part of a team of architects across IT that develops and supports architecturally driven approaches
• Lead by example within a team of IT Architects, fostering collaboration and guiding architecturally driven strategies across the enterprise
• Ability to evaluate new technologies and stay ahead of industry trends
• Ability to guide and mentor agile teams on architecture, design, and integration of business software across multiple product platforms, while making sure all application software is built with performance and scalability in mind
• Employ and support Lean and Agile methods of operating
• Collaborate, define, and publish standards (components) related to the platform/middleware functions using technology that integrates with adjacent OSI Layers/functions that generate the reference model/architecture
• Participate in the Architectural Review Board ARB
• Participate in architecture review processes and the ratification of technology system design
• Develop and apply guidelines, architectural standards, and solution patterns to ensure alignment with the long-term technology strategy in collaboration with operational and engineering staff
• Work with stakeholders to develop architectural documentation, fully elaborating the design, inclusive of components provided by Business IT and the central IT Service
• Provide architectural guidance and consultative support across the organization related to technology needs

Who You Are
You are a strategic thinker with the ability to navigate an ever-evolving technology landscape. You embrace innovation, research creative solutions, and tackle both new and existing challenges. With deep expertise in managing complex processes and issues, you excel at performing high-level technical responsibilities across a broad technology architecture space. This role demands someone who can see the big picture from above while also diving into the details when necessary.

Key Qualifications

• Highly detail-oriented and professional, with strong business acumen
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills, capable of engaging effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences
• Solid understanding of information technology and operational technology concepts and designs
• Working knowledge of standard programming languages and the systems development life cycle
• Strong grasp of disaster recovery strategies and high-availability architecture and systems design
• Broad experience with multiple technologies, including Java, Microsoft .NET, application servers, integration hubs, n-tier applications, database management systems, and open-source trends
• Clear understanding of object-oriented design principles, enterprise integration patterns, and composable architecture concepts
• Experience with software and system modeling (e.g., UML, EA tools) is a plus
• Familiarity with business-focused IT architecture strategies and frameworks (TOGAF, Zachman, EAF)
• Knowledge of Identity and Access Management, PIM, and PAM solutions is advantageous
• An understanding of technology needs specific to the utilities sector is preferred

The military job codes/duty codes most closely related to this role are: 25A, 25G, 26A, 26B,37A1, 37A2, 37A3, 37A4, 6420, 6423, 6425, 6427, 9634, 9934, 9975, 9985
 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Exerts up to 10 lbs. of force occasionally and/or small amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.
• Positions in this class typically require talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions within an office working environment.

What does this opportunity offer? You will be working with a diverse group of people and have the opportunity to be a leader among your peer architects, as you lead the Architecture Review Board, collaborate with functional managers, supervisors, and individual contributors.  This is an exceptional opportunity to join an organization as it moves up the technology maturity model, and is embracing the need for architecture standards, modeling and all that surround 
 

Our Commitment to Our Employees…
Our people are the heart and soul of Colorado Springs Utilities.  They keep the lights on, gas flowing, water coming in, and wastewater leaving.  We don't just say people are important – we prove it!  That’s why we are honored to invest in protecting the health and financial security of our employees and their families through our rich benefits program.

Time Off to Recharge

• Vacation – Start with 13 days annually, increasing to 24 days with tenure
• Personal Leave –3 days per year
• Paid Holidays –12 paid holidays per year
• Sick Leave – 12 days per year for personal or family health needs
• Vacation Buy – Option to purchase up to 40 additional hours annually

Health & Wellness – Benefits elected are effective the first of the following month

• Medical Plans: Three comprehensive options, including a $0 premium High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with Health Savings Account (HSA) eligibility
• Zero Health: Access to hundreds of medical services at no cost
• Dental & Vision: Two dental plans and one vision plan
• Family Building-Benefits: Support for fertility, preservation, adoption, and surrogacy
• Wellness Program: A voluntary program that rewards you for prioritizing self-care! If you're enrolled in a our medical plan, you and your spouse can earn up to $600 in HRA or HSA contributions by completing healthy activities
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Pre-tax contributions for healthcare and dependent care expenses
• Health Savings Account (HSA): Available with HDHP

Financial & Retirement Security

• Pension Plan: Colorado PERA provides retirement benefits and peace of mind
• Supplemental Retirement Plans: PERAPlus 401(k), MissionSquare Roth IRA, and 457 plans
• Disability Coverage: Short-Term and Long-Term Disability insurance available
• Life Insurance: Employer-paid coverage with optional supplemental plans
• Long-Term Care Insurance: Available for purchase to support extended care needs

Additional Support

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential support for mental health, stress, legal, financial, and work-life balance
• Tuition Reimbursement: Up to $5,250  annually to support continued education
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: As a qualifying employer, your student loan payments may be eligible for loan forgiveness