Solutions Architect I

Summary: The Solutions Architect is responsible for designing and implementing technology solutions that meet the business and technical requirements of the organization. This role involves collaborating with stakeholders, analyzing requirements, and creating comprehensive solution designs. They ensure that solutions comply with industry standards and security requirements. Documentation, continuous improvement, and effective communication with both technical and non-technical stakeholders are essential aspects of the role. Ultimately, a Solutions Architect plays a key role in aligning technology solutions with business goals and ensuring successful implementation.

In addition, they collaborate directly with business units to review proposed new solutions, assess and address concerns regarding software capabilities and requirements, and work to resolve issues that arise during the development and deployment phases.

Salary Range: The salary range budgeted for this position is $78,200/yr to $90,000/yr and represents the Company's good faith minimum and maximum range for this role at the time of posting. The compensation offered to a candidate may vary depending on several factors, including a candidate's qualifications, skills, competencies, experience, and location.

The Company also offers various benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and a 401(K) match. Other rewards may include annual performance-based bonuses and wellness days.

Applicants must have current work authorization when accepting a First Foundation Inc. position. Currently, we cannot sponsor or take over the sponsorship of an Employment Visa.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Adhere to all compliance programs and the completion of all required and assigned training by established due dates.
• Understand duties and responsibilities as it relates to the Bank Secrecy Act, (“BSA”), Anti-Money Laundering Act (“AML”), and Office of Foreign Assets Control Regulations (“OFAC”). This includes understanding any responsibilities outlined under the Bank’s BSA/ OFAC Program, participating in any required training, and promptly complying with all reporting requirements.
• Understand and comply with the requirements of all laws and regulations applicable to the position.
• Create comprehensive solution designs that address business and technical requirements.
• Design and define the overall structure of a system or application, ensuring that individual components work together seamlessly.
• Develop architecture blueprints or diagrams to communicate the design to development teams and stakeholders.
• Work closely with development teams, project managers, and other stakeholders to ensure that the solution aligns with business goals and is feasible to implement.
• Create and maintain documentation for architecture, design decisions, and best practices.
• Ensure technical documentation is clear, comprehensive, and accessible to relevant stakeholders.
• Develop prototypes or proof-of-concept implementations to validate the feasibility of proposed solutions.
• Utilize Robotic Process Automation and other Automation tools to solve business problems.
• Use prototyping to demonstrate key features and gather feedback from stakeholders.
• Continuously assess and improve existing solutions and processes.
• Ensure that solutions comply with industry regulations and standards.
• Implement and enforce security best practices throughout the development lifecycle.
  
  

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Education

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field or equivalent training and/or work experience required.
• Entry Level; however, 1-3 years of related experience preferred.
• Experience with financial processing and payment systems, data analysis tools, data extraction, database queries/views, data mapping, workflow, and RPA tools preferred.
  
  

Skills

• Familiarity with cloud platforms and services.
• Excellent communication skills to convey technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Active listening skills to understand and address the needs of various teams and individuals.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• Skill in facilitating communication and collaboration among team members.
• Flexibility to adjust to new challenges and circumstances.
• Strong documentation skills to create clear and comprehensive technical documentation.
• Ability to articulate and document architectural decisions and designs.
• Ability to integrate security considerations into the design of solutions.
• A good understanding of business processes and objectives.
• Ability to align technical solutions with overall business goals.
• A commitment to staying updated on industry trends and emerging technologies.
• Willingness to pursue ongoing professional development.
  
  

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 5 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus. Must be able to travel.

First Foundation is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status, status as a qualified individual with a disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.