--Software Architect (Node/Java)
--Onsite 3x a week in Livingston, NJ
--Long term contract position (RTH)
--Rate = $85-90/hr (depending on if W2 or C2C)
--Local candidates only (final interview is ONSITE)
 
Our Fintech client is seeking a hands-on Software Architect to help shape and build modern, scalable software solutions. This role is based in Livingston, NJ and is an approximately 50/50 architecture and development role for someone who enjoys defining technical direction while remaining actively involved in writing production code.
 
The architect will partner with engineering, product, and business/domain teams to understand complex requirements and translate them into practical, scalable technical solutions. Responsibilities will include domain modeling, application and API architecture, system integrations, technical design, development, automated testing, and architectural decision-making throughout the software lifecycle.
 
Key Responsibilities:

• Lead technical discovery and collaborate with business, product, and engineering stakeholders to understand complex processes and requirements.
• Define scalable application architectures spanning APIs, backend services, data layers, integrations, and distributed systems.
• Develop domain models, technical diagrams, API specifications, architecture documentation, and decision records.
• Remain hands-on with development, contributing production-quality code, prototypes, automation, and automated tests.
• Work closely with engineers during implementation to ensure architectural designs are practical and effectively executed.
• Evaluate tradeoffs related to performance, scalability, security, reliability, caching, and maintainability.
• Promote modern engineering practices including TDD, automated testing, CI/CD, and continuous delivery.
• Establish reusable architecture patterns, technical standards, and development practices.
• Communicate complex technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Significant experience in software engineering and application/solution architecture.
• Strong, recent hands-on development experience; this is not a purely advisory architecture position.
• 8+ years of experience with Node.js.  A combination of Node and Java is great as well.
• Strong knowledge of API design, distributed systems, domain modeling, and application architecture.
• Experience designing highly scalable, secure, reliable, and maintainable applications.
• Strong experience with TDD, automated testing, CI/CD, and modern deployment practices.
• Familiarity with technologies such as Docker, Jenkins, or comparable platforms.
• Ability to create and communicate technical designs using UML or similar modeling tools.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, communication, and collaboration skills.

 
Preferred: GraphQL, microservices, cloud-native databases, and highly automated delivery environments. Background in high-volume, regulated, security-sensitive, financial, or e-commerce applications is a plus. A bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field is preferred, though equivalent experience will be considered.