> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/2313310-application-architecture-principal](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/2313310-application-architecture-principal). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Application Architecture, Principal - **Company:** Blue Shield of CA - **Location:** Chicago, IL, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), Amazon Web Services, Applications Architecture, Application Integration Architecture, Microsoft Azure, Cloud Computing, Data Architecture, Distributed Systems, PostgreSQL, Service Design, Software Engineering, Openapi, Cloud Platform System, Code Structure, Event Driven Architecture, Domain Driven Design, Api Management, Microservices - **Published:** August 30, 2026 - **Apply:** https://diversityjobs.com/main/sendform/8/8/28176/1/18140953?backUrl=%2Fcareer%2F18140953%2FApplication-Architecture-Principal-Illinois-Chicago ## About the Role * Bachelor's degree or High School Diploma/GED and 4 years of additional relevant experience in lieu of a degree. * 10+ years of software engineering, application architecture, platform engineering, or related technical experience. * Experience leading application architecture for distributed systems, cloud-native platforms, microservices, internal platforms, or modernization initiatives. * Strong hands-on engineering background with the ability to guide service design, API contracts, code structure, data modeling, testing, deployment, and production tradeoffs. * Deep experience with domain-driven design, service decomposition, integration architecture, shared services, customer extensions, and reusable platform patterns. * Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and translate platform strategy into clear architecture direction and execution standards. * Experience designing and operating microservices and event-driven systems in a cloud environment. Azure experience is preferred; AWS or GCP experience is transferable. * Strong API and data architecture judgment, including REST, OpenAPI, event contracts, PostgreSQL, analytics handoffs, authorization, tenant/customer isolation, and auditability. * Experience mentoring senior engineers, architects, and technical leads. * Healthcare, payer, pharma, regulated-industry, SOC 2, HIPAA, or security-sensitive platform experience is strongly preferred. * Enterprise architecture experience is a plus, especially when paired with hands-on application architecture and delivery execution. * Excellent written communication. You can make architecture decisions clear, concise, and useful to the teams who need to execute them. ## Related Videos - [For the REST of us: API First and Conway’s Law](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1932-for-the-rest-of-us-api-first-and-conway-s-law) - [Optimizing Discovery: PostgreSQL's Role in Transforming GetYourGuide's Search](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1647-optimizing-discovery-postgresql-s-role-in-transforming-getyourguide-s-search) - [Microservices: how to get started with Spring Boot and Kubernetes](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/242-microservices-how-to-get-started-with-spring-boot-and-kubernetes) - [Why make use of an integration platform in today's software developments and infrastructure?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/758-why-make-use-of-an-integration-platform-in-today-s-software-developments-and-infrastructure) - [Contract-First Frontend: Scaling Reliable UIs with OpenAPI and AI](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1995-contract-first-frontend-scaling-reliable-uis-with-openapi-and-ai) - [Next Level Enterprise Architecture: Modular, Flexible, Scalable, Multichannel and AI-Ready?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1017-next-level-enterprise-architecture-modular-flexible-scalable-multichannel-and-ai-ready) ## Related Articles - [What Are The Top Skills Required For Azure Developers?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/77-what-are-the-top-skills-required-for-azure-developers) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [The 12 Best Jobs for Software Engineers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/401-the-12-best-jobs-for-software-engineers) - [Top-Paying Tech Jobs (with Salaries)](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/372-top-paying-tech-jobs-with-salaries) - [Why Upskilling And Reskilling is Important For Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/428-why-upskilling-and-reskilling-is-important-for-developers) - [How We Built a Worry-Free System That Runs for 10+ Years – And What We’d Do Again](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/751-how-we-built-a-worry-free-system-that-runs-for-10-years-and-what-we-d-do-again)