Senior Solutions Architect

• Lead the design and maintenance of scalable, secure, and resilient system architecture.
• Contribute to and apply technical standards, blueprints, and patterns, with a focus on manufacturing solutions.
• Design solution-level data architectures and contribute to enterprise data strategies, including data-lake implementation and optimization, to support data accessibility, integrity, performance, and downstream analytics.
• Craft user-centric service models that balance technical feasibility with business utility.
• Partner with business and technical stakeholders to define scope, success metrics, and a future-state roadmap, leveraging Agile, SDLC, and PMI principles.
• Translate ambiguous business needs into detailed technical specifications. Collaborate with stakeholders to identify pain points and document functional/non-functional requirements.
• Design solutions for high availability, supportability, and seamless integration, and collaborate with delivery and operations teams to validate these qualities throughout implementation.
• Evaluate and recommend improvements to the internal development stack. Partner with development and platform teams to optimize CI/CD pipelines, version control practices, and automated testing frameworks that improve developer velocity.
• Develop automated reporting dashboards to provide visibility into technical performance and ROI.
• Facilitate architecture decisions across IT, engineering, operations, and external vendors, documenting agreed environments, integrations, constraints, and implementation approaches.
• Deliver training, change enablement, and responsive customer support for implemented solutions; ensure a seamless transition to functional owners and service teams.
• Develop detailed process maps, standard operating procedures, and technical/user documentation that supports sustainment and audit readiness.
• Stay current with industry trends by researching and adopting project delivery tools, software, and technologies that support innovation and continuous improvement.
• Other duties as assigned by leadership.

• Thoroughness
• Organizational skills and prioritization
• Data literacy and analytics mindset
• Ethical conduct
• Detail-oriented execution
• Time management
• Project management frameworks (Agile/Scrum, hybrid, waterfall)
• Technical acumen across solution architecture, business analysis, service design, software delivery, infrastructure and platform concepts, and performance measurement
• Ability to learn new technologies quickly and independently
• Strong communication and stakeholder management

Required Education and Experience:

• At least 3 years of experience in software engineering, systems design, or solution architecture, including demonstrated responsibility for solution design and technical decision-making; 7 or more years of relevant experience is preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field from an accredited college or university (or equivalent experience).
• Working knowledge of AI and large language models, with hands-on experience designing solutions that use APIs, microservices, or containerized components.
• Hands-on experience with at least one major cloud platform, such as AWS or Azure; familiarity with the other is preferred.
• Proficiency in at least one modern programming language, such as Python, Java, or Go, with the ability to review code and guide implementation decisions.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 collaboration tools (Teams, SharePoint, Excel, PowerPoint) and at least one project/work management tool (e.g., Smartsheet, Microsoft Project, Azure DevOps).
• Advanced skills with Power BI, Fabriq or similar analytics/visual management tools.

Preferred Education/Certifications:

• Exceptional ability to communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders and a “big picture” mindset for problem-solving.
• Advanced degree in Business, Engineering, Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field.
• Strong technical fluency: APIs/integrations, manufacturing tooling, identity/access concepts, and basic cybersecurity/data privacy practices.
• Ability to develop and lead training sessions for users with varying levels of technical knowledge; strong documentation skills (SOPs, work instructions, and technical/user guides).
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional programs/projects, manage vendors, and influence without authority.
• SharePoint/Teams power user (site structure, permissions basics, forms/workflows); familiarity with low-code tools (e.g., Power Platform) is a plus.
• Strong presentation and communication skills with customers, suppliers, auditors, staff, and production associates.

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. Performing the duties of this job will require the ability to lift equipment no more than 40 lbs., walk, bend or stand frequently. Occasionally requires sitting and working on computers/Network/Software and phones.

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Formed in 1993, CFAN is a 50/50 Joint Venture between GE Aviation & Safran Aircraft Engines of France. The partnership was created to introduce composite fan blades in a GE90 Engine that powers the Boeing 777. It has leveraged the success of this product to introduce additional fan blades on the GEnx Engines that power the Boeing 787 and Boeing 747-8.

CFAN has become a leader in advanced composite technology through the use of Lean/Six Sigma methodologies. With close to half of its engineering personnel graduating from Texas State University, CFAN relies on this relationship to keep bringing technological breakthroughs in the manufacturing of composite fan blades. We are seeking a Senior Solutions Architect to join our growing team.

• We have a “family” like culture where we value every employee.
• Our manufacturing process is one of a kind
• Our benefits are competitive: Medical, compensation, etc.
• Short term disability (paid 100%)
• Permissive Time Off
• Work-life balance
• Re-mote work available occasionally