Director, Solutions Architecture

Company Overview

Aireon has deployed the world’s first and global space-based air traffic surveillance system, which is revolutionizing the entire aviation industry.  The Aireon system provides real-time aircraft monitoring spanning never before covered areas of the planet, including remote, oceanic and polar regions.  Aireon’s receivers are hosted on the Iridium constellation, which consists of 66 operational satellites in low-earth orbit and utilizes a unique cross-linked satellite architecture creating a web of coverage around the world.  The Aireon system enables safer, more efficient and more environmentally friendly aviation travel, resulting in significant CO2 emission reductions.  Numerous Air Navigation Service Providers have already signed on as customers and are receiving Aireon’s space-based ADS-B data, including NAV CANADA, NATS (UK), Naviair (Denmark), Enav (Italy), AIRNAV Ireland (ANI), Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, Air Traffic and Navigation Services (South Africa) and more.

We are committed to offering an employment experience and benefits package that enables you and your family to grow with us and to share in our success.  

Position Summary, Job Requirements & Responsibilities

As the Director, Solutions Architecture at Aireon, you will play a critical role in shaping and implementing our technology strategy, with a strong focus on Microsoft Azure cloud solutions. You will lead a team of architects and work closely with cross-functional teams to design, develop, and implement scalable and efficient cloud-based solutions that align with our business objectives.  You will lead the technical design and strategy of Aireon's cloud-based real-time data processing platform. You will be the point of contact for all technical decisions related to the overall system.

What You'll Do

• Build and lead a team of solution architects focused on evolving and maintaining Aireon’s growing product portfolio while ensuring alignment with industry best practices and standards.
• Enable Aireon's AI/ML roadmap using cloud-based capabilities to deliver new services to customers.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders to understand business requirements and translate them into technical solutions.
• Work closely with other directors supporting integrated products as you plan, develop, and own a technology roadmap to align with Aireon’s product roadmap.
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive team environment that promotes innovation, knowledge sharing, continuous improvement while balancing execution and delivery.
• When applicable, liaise with Aireon’s legacy core system team and find innovative ways to work around constraints and processes (e.g. legacy network constraints).
• Serve as the subject matter expert on Microsoft Azure cloud services and solutions.
• Architect, design, and oversee the implementation of cloud-based solutions using Azure services such as Azure App Service, Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), Azure Functions, and more.
• Ensure the security, scalability, and reliability of Azure-based solutions.

Experience & Education Requirements / EEO

Required Qualifications

• 15 or more years of experience in design and architecture, with a focus on real-time data processing.
• Five or more years of proven experience in software engineering roles, including responsibilities of all software development life cycle (SDLC) aspects, such as planning, analysis, design, development, testing, deployment, and maintenance.
• Prior experience in a leadership or management role, leading architecture teams.
• Five or more years of experience designing and implementing solutions leveraging service-oriented, microservices, and event-driven architectures.
• Strong knowledge of cloud security best practices.
• Strong knowledge of cloud architecture and experience with cloud services such as Azure
• Hands-on experience with Kubernetes, PubSub messaging, and distributed real-time streaming
• Possess working experience in API design and implementation (REST/gRPC)
• Strong knowledge of agile principles, development methodologies, and capability to support agile teams by providing advice and guidance on opportunities, impact, and risks, taking account of technical and architectural debt.
• BS in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
• Eligible to obtain and maintain SF-85P public trust.

Desired Qualifications

• 5 or more years of experience using Microsoft Azure.
• Microsoft Azure certifications (e.g., Azure Solutions Architect Expert) are a plus.
• Experience with implementing security controls from frameworks such as NIST 800-171.
• Working experience with NATS.io and Solace PubSub.

About You

You are a technical storyteller.  You can communicate clearly with all stakeholders from executives to engineers to customers.  Your diagrams and illustrations show precision and prioritize the story.

You are a self-starter. Sitting and waiting isn’t an option. You take the initiative to make things happen.

You love solving problems. Designing for you isn’t just about the end product, but it’s about the journey. Thinking through business strategy and melding it with user research is as fundamental to the process for you as creating wireframes and mockups.

You are collaborative. You're a team player who puts the interest of the team above your own. You display a positive attitude, are open and enjoy contributing.

You are a natural leader. No matter where you find yourself, others tend to gather around you, leading to encouragement and mentoring.

Technology is your passion. It doesn’t just provide a paycheck, you are genuinely interested in what you do and the impact that it has on others.

1-3-6-12 Month Plan

In the first month we'll expect you to...

• Familiarize yourself with the company's culture, policies, and existing technology landscape.
• Meet with key stakeholders, including the executive team, to understand business goals and priorities.
• Review the current state of solution architecture and technology usage within the organization.
• Identify any immediate challenges, bottlenecks, or areas for improvement.
• Start building relationships with cross-functional teams, especially DevOps and development teams.
• Identify one or two high-impact projects related to solution architecture and Microsoft Azure that can show quick wins.

At 3 months we'll expect you to...

• Develop a comprehensive architectural roadmap that aligns with the company's strategic goals.
• Present the roadmap to leadership for approval and support.
• Identify any training needs and provide resources for skill enhancement.
• Drive collaboration with technical teams to ensure that products meet Service Level Agreements (SLAs).

At 6 months we'll expect you to...

• Strengthen collaboration with development and DevOps teams to improve the integration of cloud solutions into the development lifecycle.
• Establish regular communication channels and processes for efficient collaboration.
• Continue to develop and maintain comprehensive technical documentation, best practices, and guidelines for solution architecture.
• Share these resources with relevant teams to ensure consistent practices.

At 12 months we'll expect you to...

• Explore strategic partnerships or alliances with Microsoft or other cloud service providers to leverage advanced services and resources.
• Develop a long-term cloud strategy that takes into account evolving business needs, technology advancements, and industry trends.
• Evaluate infrastructure and deployment architectures, leverage cloud-native technology advancements, and implement best practices that support scalability, reliability, security, and cost optimization.
• Investigate emerging technologies and trends in cloud computing and solution architecture.

About the Team

• At Aireon, the engineers working in integrated products develop and operate the latest products for internal and external customers. The team shares customer satisfaction, faster delivery, and profitability responsibility. The extended team is composed of software engineers, DevOps engineers, test engineers, and data engineers.
• We follow the Scrum methodology and work on a 2-week (and 3-week) sprint basis.
• We leverage collaboration tools to connect remotely with team members and stakeholders.
• Most team members are located in the Washington, D.C. area, with external consultants in Canada.

Perks and Benefits

• Premium medical, dental and vision plan

• Life Insurance and AD&D

• Short Term and Long Term Disability

• Health Savings Account (HSA)

• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

• Retirement 401K plan with Employer Matching

• Education Assistance and Tuition Reimbursement

• Paid Time Off, Sick Leave, Floating Holidays

• Paid Parental Leave

• Company Sponsored Events

• Employee Referral Program

Aireon is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or status as a protected veteran. EOE of Minorities/Females/Vets/Disability and other protected categories.