Job Title: Java Architect (with Project Management Experience)
Location: Phoenix, AZ/Southlake, TX - Hybrid 4 days onsite
Duration: 12 months.

Role Overview:

• Highly technical and execution focused Technical Program Manager (TPM) with a strong background in Java-based software development, hands-on experience as a technical lead, and working knowledge of DevOps practices and modern engineering toolchains.
• This role requires deep familiarity with the typical complexities of application development, including architectural decision-making, dependency management, integration challenges, and risk mitigation.
• TPM will work as an integral part of the software development organization, reporting directly to Senior Development Managers. As a bridge between engineering and cross functional stakeholders, the TPM must advocate for technical strategy and team priorities while ensuring alignment, clarity, and smooth delivery across organizational boundaries.
   

Key Responsibilities:
Technical Leadership & Program Execution

• Engage directly with development teams to understand system architecture, design, and integration points; provide guidance rooted in strong Java engineering experience.
• Identify technical risks early and proactively drive resolution through collaboration with architects, developers, QA, SRE/DevOps, and partner teams.
• Guide teams through dependency management, component integration, service interactions, and environmental readiness.
• Ensure data driven engineering decisions, deliver technically sound architecture design, which are aligned with long-term product and platform strategies.
  Program & Delivery Management
• Lead end-to-end planning, execution, and delivery of complex software development programs, ensuring predictable timelines and high-quality outcomes.
• Manage cross-functional workstreams, coordinate with multiple internal and external stakeholders, and maintain clear ownership across all parties.
• Establish program dashboards, KPIs, and communication mechanisms for leadership and team-level visibility.
• Drive continuous improvement around estimation, sprint execution, release management, and operational readiness.
  DevOps & Modern Engineering Practices
• Collaborate with DevOps and platform engineering teams to ensure CI/CD pipeline robustness, environment stability, deployment automation, and observability.
• Contribute to engineering workflow improvements such as versioning strategy, build and deployment orchestration, and performance monitoring approaches.
• Support teams in adopting modern development practices: microservices, containerization, cloud-native tooling, and automated testing frameworks.
  Stakeholder Alignment & Advocacy
• Serve as a strong advocate for development teams ensuring the technical strategy, priorities, and constraints are well understood across all stakeholders.
• Facilitate clear and concise communication, ensuring non-engineering stakeholders understand program goals, milestones, risks, and impacts.
• Build trusted relationships across the organization, simplifying collaboration with business owners, product managers, compliance, security, and infrastructure teams.
  Leadership & Organizational Impact
• Promote a culture of engineering excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement. Mentor teams on program execution best practices and play a coaching role where appropriate.
• Champion clarity, structure, and predictable delivery while maintaining flexibility and adaptability to shifting business needs.
  Basic Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or a related field (or equivalent experience), with 8+ years of project/program management experience leading large scale, cross functional initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to build strong trust with sponsors and key stakeholders through consistent delivery of business priorities.
• Proven history of successfully delivering high-visibility, complex programs in challenging environments.
• Strong capability to navigate and influence within highly matrixed organizations.
• A focused, adaptable, and collaborative collaborator who performs well under pressure.
• Experience in delivering initiatives from inception through delivery. Exceptional problem solving, analytical thinking, and critical decision making skills.
• Deep knowledge and direct expertise with project management tools, methodologies, and best practices.
• Ability to communicate sensitive or complex information with clarity and thrive in dynamic, multi-time zone, multi-location environments.
• Experience overseeing the planning, implementation, and support of business application components, consistently striving for excellence in operational and delivery outcomes.
  Preferred Qualifications
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Familiarity with distributed systems, microservices architecture, and modern integration patterns.
• Ability to work independently in highly dynamic environments and navigate ambiguity effectively.

Other Focus Areas:

• Team Collaboration: Partner with Product Owner, SME, and Business Analyst to brainstorm, discuss learning experiences, and present solutions.
• Learning Activities: Participate in facilitated training, team discussions and events, individual assessments and activities, senior leader meetings, and on-the-job training.
• Team Technical Leadership: Receive regular feedback from your leader, participate in career-related discussions, and provide your own feedback on resources and ensuring building formidable team.
• Strengths Application: Learn about yourself and how to apply your unique strengths, abilities, and goals to the work you do as part of client’s ‘strengths-based’ culture.

Personal Characteristics

• Shows commitment, high ethical standards, and integrity.
• Inquisitive, analytical, strategic thinking, initiative-taking and solutions-oriented.
• High-energy, positive, entrepreneurial in spirit while purposeful.
• Initiative-takers take initiative and can work independently.
• Well-organized and disciplined with high diligence.
• Direct, plain-spoken; conveys a genuine/authentic demeanor.
• Effective written communication, presentation, and facilitation skills.

What you will learn:

• You will gain experience developing and implementing code.
• You will gain experience with a large investment management firm serving individuals, trusts, retirement plans, foundations, and endowments.
• Opportunities to research, create and present on process and/or technology improvements.

 
 
At SPECTRAFORCE, we are committed to maintaining a workplace that ensures fair compensation and wage transparency in adherence with all applicable state and local laws. This position’s starting pay is: $ 70.00/hr.