Are you looking for more than just a job? Do you want to have a voice and feel a sense of belonging? At ICW Group, we hire innovative people who consistently adapt, grow and deliver. We believe in hard work, a fun work environment, and embracing creativity that only comes about when talented people collaborate to develop solutions. Our mission is to create the best insurance experience possible.
 

Headquartered in San Diego with regional offices located throughout the United States, ICW Group has been named for seven consecutive years as a Top 50 performing P&C company offering the stability of a large, profitable and growing company combined with a small-company entrepreneurial spirit. Our purpose-driven ethos provides team members with opportunities to contribute, develop, and belong. 

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

The Principal Solution Architect is an integral part of a team that works to develop high-quality architecture solutions for various software applications on modern cloud-based technologies. This role is responsible for conducting critical architecture solutions across multiple technical areas within various business functions in support of enterprise goals and to meet business needs. The Principal Architect will lead and support strategic initiatives and operational activities while leveraging expertise to build and deploy dynamic solutions, shaping the future of our technology landscape.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Leads efforts to develop and maintain the architectural assets for the technical domain.

• Engages technical teams and business stakeholders to discuss and propose technical approaches to meet current and future business needs.

• Defines the technical target state of the product and drives achievement of the strategy.

• Leads the architecture center of excellence.

• Evaluates recommendations and provides feedback on new technologies.

• Executes creative software solutions, design, development, and technical troubleshooting with the ability to think beyond routine or conventional approaches to build solutions or break down technical problems.

• Identifies opportunities to eliminate or automate remediation of recurring issues to improve overall operational stability of software applications and systems.

• Leads evaluation sessions with external vendors and internal teams to drive outcomes-oriented probing of architectural designs, technical credentials, and applicability for use within existing systems and information.

• Provides feedback and contribution to product roadmap, standard product design, and product enhancement requests.

• Collaborates with implementation teams to design and configure solutions to meet defined requirements.

• Communicates high level designs to technical team and advises on how business decisions will impact design results.

• Designs and manages comprehensive technology solutions that effectively tackle business challenges. 

• Designs architecture diagrams in line with overall enterprise architecture principles, standards, and patterns using established Enterprise Architecture governance processes and frameworks.

• Establishes and promotes architectural standards and best practices across the organization.

• Develops and maintains enterprise architecture roadmap to guide future technology investments.

• Provides technical leadership and guidance to development teams. Collaborates with cross-functional teams to ensure architectural best practices and standards.

• Acts as subject matter expert (SME) in the design and development of cloud-based solutions. 

• Collaborates with multiple cross-functional teams to understand technical & business requirements, propose options/alternative approaches, perform relevant analysis and recommendations.

• Researches, proposes, and champions new technology innovation initiatives in the organization.

SUPERVISORY RESPONISBILITIES

Directly supervises assigned architect team members and carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with company policies and applicable laws. These responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; conducting performance and salary reviews; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems; coaching, mentoring, and developing team members to further their skills and knowledge; creating and monitoring development plans; setting performance expectations/goals; forecasting staffing needs and planning for peak times and absences; enforcing department policies and procedures.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

• Bachelor’s degree from four-year college or university required in Computer Science, Information Systems, Economics, or related field. Additional experience may be considered in lieu of degree.

• Minimum 12 years of related IT experience required.

• Minimum 8 years of experience with solution architecture required.

• Hands-on practical experience delivering system design, application development, testing, and operational stability.

• Experience in the property and casualty insurance industry preferred.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

AWS certification preferred. TOGAF, IASA or any other architecture-related certification is desired.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

• Possess broad experience in multiple areas such as integration technologies, infrastructure, data, and developing secure coding practices.

• Advanced in one or more programming language(s).

• Proficiency in automation and continuous delivery methods.

• Proficient in all aspects of the Software Development Life Cycle.

• Advanced understanding of agile methodologies such as CI/CD, Applicant Resiliency, and Security.

• Demonstrated proficiency in software applications and technical processes within a technical discipline (e.g., cloud, artificial intelligence, machine learning, mobile, etc.).

• Practical cloud native experience and understanding of cloud-based architectures.

• Advanced knowledge of one or more software, applications, and architecture disciplines.

• Ability to evaluate current and emerging technologies to recommend the best solutions for the future state architecture.

• In-depth understanding of enterprise architecture standards and the demonstrated ability to advocate and enforce their use.

• Skilled at requirement elicitation and documentation.

• Expertise in process analysis, development, and documentation.

• Experience in partnering with senior-level client stakeholders, providing technical thought leadership, and bringing innovation to achieve business needs.

• Strong organizational and collaboration skills for both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Excellent verbal and written communication.

• Strong multi-tasking capabilities and ability to work in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

This job operates in a professional office environment and is regularly required to talk or hear, as well as frequently sit, stand, walk, and bend during working hours. Requires manual and finger dexterity and eye-hand coordination. May be required to lift light objects. Requires normal or corrected vision and hearing corrected to a normal range.

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

This position operates in an office environment and requires the frequent use of computer, telephone, copier and other standard office equipment.

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The current range for this position is

This range is exclusive of fringe benefits and potential bonuses.  If hired at ICW Group, your final base salary compensation will be determined by factors unique to each candidate, including experience, education and the location of the role and considers employees performing substantially similar work.

WHY JOIN ICW GROUP?
•    Challenging work and the ability to make a difference
•    You will have a voice and feel a sense of belonging
•    We offer a competitive benefits package, with generous medical, dental, and vision plans as well as 401K retirement plans and company match
•    Bonus potential for all positions
•    Paid Time Off with an accrual rate of 5.23 hours per pay period (equal to 17 days per year)
•    10 paid holidays throughout the calendar year
•    Want to continue learning? We’ll support you 100%

ICW Group is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. ICW Group will not discriminate against an applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex/gender, age, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law.