Solution Architect

Solution Architect

Responsibilities

• Support desktop, laptop, tablet, and mobile access.
• Provide intuitive data visualization and analytics capabilities.
• Enable internal users to enter observations and perform quality-control workflows.
• Deliver public-facing access to published water measurement data.
• Integrate with HydroServer and existing DWRi technology platforms.
• Modernize existing water distribution and reporting capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

Discovery, Strategy & Stakeholder Alignment

• Collaborate with DWRi and Division of Technology Services (DTS) stakeholders to establish a shared vision for the future-state platform.
• Analyze business, technical, operational, and integration requirements.
• Assess dependencies with legacy systems and determine modernization approaches.
• Recommend incremental implementation strategies that minimize operational disruption.
• Leverage existing modernization studies, strategic initiatives, and technology investments.
• Develop recommendations utilizing modern software engineering practices, including the Strangler Fig modernization pattern.

User Experience & Solution Design

• Review and refine existing user personas, workflows, and requirements.
• Evaluate existing Figma mockups and user journeys.
• Identify functional gaps and opportunities to improve usability.
• Incorporate stakeholder feedback from user testing activities.
• Develop high-fidelity, implementation-ready UX designs.
• Ensure solutions follow user-centered design principles and industry best practices.

Solution Architecture

• Define the overall application architecture and technology stack.
• Develop architectural strategies that align with HydroServer and its ecosystem.
• Design integration approaches utilizing SensorThings APIs, HydroServer APIs, and HydroServerPy.
• Evaluate GIS architecture and mapping integrations.
• Design authentication and authorization strategies using clientID.
• Recommend API management, monitoring, security, and governance approaches.
• Define cloud deployment architecture leveraging Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
• Establish logging, monitoring, operational support, scalability, and performance strategies.

Technology Modernization

• Evaluate modernization opportunities for the existing Water Rights MapServer application.
• Assess migration from ArcGIS Maps SDK for JavaScript 3.x to 5.x.
• Recommend phased implementation and release strategies.
• Define approaches that support coexistence with legacy applications when appropriate.
• Evaluate opportunities for integrating Google Gemini and emerging AI capabilities in accordance with Client AI policies.

Implementation Planning

• Develop a comprehensive implementation roadmap.
• Translate requirements and UX mockups into an actionable backlog.
• Define development phases, milestones, and release plans.
• Prepare cost estimates using cone-of-uncertainty methodologies.
• Recommend iterative and incremental delivery strategies.
• Develop training and knowledge transfer plans to support long-term ownership by internal teams.

Accessibility & Performance

• Ensure recommended solutions support:
• ADA compliance
• Responsive design principles
• Cross-browser compatibility
• Mobile-friendly experiences
• Application scalability
• Data security and privacy requirements

Required Deliverables

The selected consultant will be expected to produce detailed planning and architecture artifacts that support future procurement and implementation efforts, including:

Architecture Documentation

• Solution Architecture Document
• System Context Diagram
• Component Diagram
• Deployment Diagram
• Data Flow Diagrams
• API Integration Specifications
• Security Architecture Documentation
• Implementation Roadmap

UX Deliverables

• Refined and finalized Figma designs
• High-fidelity dashboard mockups
• User workflow documentation
• UX recommendations and improvements

Planning Deliverables

• Comprehensive implementation backlog
• Phased development roadmap
• Project schedule and milestones
• Cost estimation model
• Recommended development and deployment approach
• Training and transition strategy

Required Qualifications

Candidates should demonstrate experience in:

• Enterprise Solution Architecture
• Software Architecture and Design
• Web Application Architecture
• UX/UI Design and User-Centered Design
• Dashboard and Data Visualization Platforms
• Requirements Gathering and Business Analysis
• Agile Delivery Methodologies
• Technical Roadmap Development
• Cloud Architecture and Modern Application Design
• API Architecture and Integration Design
• Security Architecture
• Cross-functional Stakeholder Engagement
• Strategic Technology Planning

Preferred Qualifications

Strong preference will be given to candidates with experience in:

Water & Environmental Systems

• Water resources technology solutions
• Environmental information systems
• Scientific and monitoring data platforms
• Time-series data management systems

GIS & Spatial Technologies

• GIS-enabled web applications
• ArcGIS Maps SDK for JavaScript
• Geospatial integration architectures
• MapServer solutions

Modern Development Platforms

• React
• Node.js
• CI/CD pipelines
• GitHub-based development workflows

Cloud & Integration Technologies

• Google Cloud Platform (GCP)
• HydroServer ecosystem
• HydroServer APIs
• SensorThings architectures
• clientID or similar Identity and Access Management (IAM) platforms

Modernization Expertise

• Government technology modernization initiatives
• Legacy system modernization
• Strangler Fig modernization pattern
• Digital transformation programs
• Enterprise architecture strategy