Lead Software Architect

• Responsible for elicitation, analysis, and documentation of business requirements.
• Research and exploration of user requirements, costs, and benefits in support of documentation required for the demand management process.
• Responsible for analyzing the business needs to identify new processes and process improvements that will meet those needs.
• Documents current business processes and models to define requirements and/or gaps.
• Analyze detailed system factors including input/output requirements, information and paper flow, hardware, and software needs.
• Analyze “soft” system factors including roles, responsibilities, policy, culture, etc.
• Evaluate the impact of potential software and process changes on the organization.
• Develop and facilitate groups as necessary in pursuit of eliciting and defining requirements.
• Assist in the creation of the business case documentation.
• Understanding of architectural consistency and usability standards.
• Defines and develops user test cases and validates test results during testing.
• Executes unit and functional test cases.
• May conduct system demonstrations and training sessions, as well as participate in design/review of training content.
• Plays a third level support role by helping to troubleshoot and resolve issues with production systems.
• Participates in associate meetings and communicates any concerns to management., This is a posting for a position to perform in the role of Lead Software Architect who will develop a thorough knowledge of the Child Support Enforcement System’s functional requirements and of functional architecture of the Child Support Enforcement System (PACSS) (e. g. Case initiation, Case Management, Financial) and how those functional areas integrate. Additionally, they are responsible for identifying functional requirements for the SC New Hire application and the Child Support Client Portal (CS Portal) and ensuring that those two applications integrate effectively with PACSS. The Lead Software Architect will lead a team of business analysts, testers, and subject matter experts for all three applications.

As Lead Software Architect, this individual will:

• Report to the Department’s PACSS Project Manager and will provide periodic and as-needed written and verbal updates to the Project Manager regarding the Lead Software Architect’s area of responsibility.
• Develop a thorough knowledge of the technical requirements of PACSS to understand how these requirements could affect the functional design of PACSS.
• In collaboration with the System Development Contractor, plan, and resource the tasks in the project schedule related to State project team responsibilities for requirements validation, general and detailed design, and system testing.
• Oversee the work performed by the SDC during the requirements validation, development, design, and system testing phases of the system development life cycle (SDLC) including establishing a positive day-to-day interaction with the appropriate members of the SDC staff to address concerns identified during this oversight.
• Review SDC deliverables applicable to the areas of responsibilities in accordance with project plans and processes and in accordance with the contract between the Department of Social Services and the SDC.
• Oversee the Requirement Management Process in collaboration with the SDC to ensure changes to system requirements are controlled and to ensure system requirements are traced through a Requirements Traceability Matrix throughout the SDLC.
• Develop a thorough knowledge of the technical requirements of Client New Hire and Client Portal to understand how these requirements could affect the functional design of those applications.
• Oversee the work performed by State development staff during the requirements validation, development, design, and system testing phases of the system development life cycle (SDLC) for Client New Hire and Client Portal.
• Works with the Client Child Support Services Division to understand issues impacting the program regarding the various applications.
• Leads team effort to supply new user stories or use cases by analyzing requirements; constructing workflow charts and diagrams; studying system capabilities; writing specifications.
• Preparing technical reports by collecting, analyzing, and summarizing information and trends.
• Contributes to team effort by accomplishing related results as needed.
• Perform tasks efficiently and work together with team to ensure project success.
• Assist in the design or review of test cases, process change requests and manage project scope thru requirements.

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Systems, Business, or another related field or equivalent work experience.
• Proven experience leading data migration requirements from legacy systems into a new ERP (Sage X3) environment
• Strong hands-on expertise in requirements elicitation, documentation, and management, with emphasis on data mapping, transformation rules, and validation
• Deep understanding of data structures, data quality, and migration best practices, with the ability to identify gaps and risks early
• Self-driven and accountable professional with strong stakeholder management and communication skills, able to drive outcomes with minimal oversight
• Working knowledge of Confluence and JIRA.
• Experience in any of the following business areas is desired: Sales operations, order entry, accounting, finance, procurement, warehouse operations, order management, and order fulfillment.
• Minimum of 3-5 years’ business analysis or systems analysis experience is preferred.
• Bonus: Sage X3 experience (ERP).

Associate is expected to operate at a proficient level across the following areas of technical knowledge and skill:

• Ability to organize and prioritize work.
• Detail oriented, proactive, creative, and efficient
• Intermediate level abilities in Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Visio, and Word
• Familiarity with application integration methods to include understanding of data mapping process.
• Ability to effectively work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment
• Ability to work on simultaneous and complex projects, with domain expertise in at least one business area.
• Expertise in ERP solution selection and implementation is a plus
• Ability to communicate effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences in written and non-written format
• Ability to work with all levels of associates
• Ability to work with minimal supervision in a very dynamic environment
• Ability to learn new systems and tools
• Knowledge of software development life cycle methodologies, processes, and procedures.
• Active listener
• Effective in a variety of formal/informal presentation settings: one-on-one, small, and large groups., * 5+ years of experience with the PACSS application
• Experience with child Support
• Experience with Federal Regulations regarding Child Support (IV-D)
• Experience working with Developers and End Users for functional requirements
• Experience with new-Hire applications

Preferred skills (rank in order of Importance):

• SharePoint
• Team Foundation Server
• SQL Server
• Visio

Required education:

BS Degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related field

Additional skills:

• Leadership ability
• Understanding of System Engineering concepts; modeling techniques and methods
• Demonstrate strong ability to take initiative and the ability to work with minimal guidance.
• Written and verbal communication, including technical writing skills, to communicate effectively with technical, non-technical staff, and customers/stakeholders as needed or directed.
• Ability to communicate effectively with SCDSS and other state information technology staff.