Solution Architect

About the role

Development, consulting and support of IT systems for Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency. The project supports EU Member States and Schengen-associated countries in managing the EU's external borders and fighting cross-border crime.

Our expectations

• Minimum 8 years of professional experience in IT, including at least 5 years in a similar role or project environment.
• At least 2 certifications among:
  • Master-level certificate in a relevant software development technology domain or in architecting software solutions (e.g., TOGAF Certified).
  • Certified UML Professional certificate at foundation level or an equivalent internationally recognized certification, subject to acceptance by the Contracting Authority.
• Experience as a Solutions Architect on projects involving analysis, design, implementation and deployment of an ICT solution that was part of, or queried, the Schengen Information System.
• Experience as a Solutions Architect on projects involving analysis, design, implementation and deployment of an ICT solution enabling:
  • Fingerprint scanning of at least two fingers using NIST format;
  • Scanning documents with MRZ, including passports, national IDs, driving licences, visa stickers or residence permits; or
  • Scanning biometric documents containing RFID chip data, including passports and national IDs.
• Experience as a Solutions Architect on projects where Red Hat OpenShift was the main platform.
• Knowledge or experience in data privacy, Data Protection Impact Assessments and Information Security Risk Assessment in EU institution environments, including their challenges and effective analysis methods.
• Experience as a key architect in the development of at least 2 software systems (1 for the basic profile).
• Expert-level systems architecture knowledge in the relevant domain.
• Expert-level enterprise software system design skills.
• Expert-level system capacity and security planning skills.
• Excellent technical knowledge of databases, application servers, communication middleware, web servers, GIS services, directory services, system security on Microsoft platforms, business intelligence concepts, systems integration and integrated development environments.
• Expert-level UML design skills.
• Expert knowledge of software development methodologies, lifecycles and artefacts, including RUP, ISO12207 and agile methodologies.
• Proficiency with systems modelling tools such as Sparx Enterprise Architect, Aris Architect or equivalent.
• English proficiency at minimum B2 CEFR level.

Main responsibilities

• Set standards for design, development, quality and testing.
• Design and communicate system architecture.
• Design interoperability and interfaces with other systems.
• Elicit needs and analyse requirements.
• Translate business, user and technical needs into architectures.
• Map business goals, project benefits, priorities, components and system features.
• Analyse available systems.
• Identify options for potential solutions.
• Maintain and track architecture throughout the system lifecycle.
• Estimate and size software development work.
• Contribute to system design, testing, quality assurance and change management.
• Prepare system documentation and presentations.
• Lead development teams and development processes.
• Select and evaluate technologies.
• Collect and interpret system metrics.
• Optimize systems for performance, security and quality.