Chief Architect

Location: United States

Department: Delivery

Location Type: REMOTE

Employment Type: FULL_TIME

• Own the architecture function. Set direction, run the operating cadence, and hold the architect community accountable to standards and outcomes.
• Serve as the single point of accountability for architecture quality across the portfolio.

• Define, publish, and enforce Thunders architecture standards, including design patterns, documentation templates, integration standards, and DevOps/CI-CD guardrails.
• Run architecture review boards and design gates; own the customization versus configuration line.
• Extend Thunders standards to cover data architecture and AI/agent design, so emerging solution patterns are held to the same governance bar as established ones.
• Make standards real and operational.

• Serve as the connective tissue on multi-cloud and multi-system programs, ensuring workstreams align on a coherent data model and platform strategy.
• Govern how Salesforce integrates into the broader technology ecosystem, including ERP, data platform, middleware, and identity, ensuring seamless, scalable interoperability.

• Own the architecture strategy for data and AI across client solutions, including data platforms, Data 360, Agentforce and agentic patterns, ensuring solutions are grounded in a sound data model and governed data foundation.
• Set the design standards and guardrails for AI and agent solutions, covering data readiness, trust and security, human-in-the-loop design, and responsible-use considerations, so that what we deliver is scalable and defensible.
• Serve as the Thunders senior authority on when AI genuinely fits a client problem and when it does not, protecting clients and Thunder from AI over-reach.
• Provide technical input to Thunders internal delivery-transformation efforts, partnering with delivery leadership on how AI strengthens how we architect and deliver.

• Set the standards for how Thunder solutions and estimates before it commits, establishing the estimation discipline and design principles that govern technical scoping.
• Vet proposed architectures on strategic and complex pursuits against delivery capacity and skill sets to prevent sales over-reach.
• Provide architectural oversight and review on the highest-stakes pursuits; guide technical discovery and shape the technical narrative that wins executive trust.

• Own the technical bar for the architect community. Define what good looks like, the design and code-quality standards architects are held to, and the certification and capability roadmap as a technical artifact.
• Partner with practice and delivery leadership on the architect career ladder, hiring bar, and career development, ensuring the people model is anchored to the technical standard you set.
• Coach and elevate the architect community through review, mentorship, and knowledge-sharing.

• Step into escalated or at-risk engagements to diagnose technical root cause, reset the design or direction, and stabilize.
• When a critical engagement requires it, go deep. Lead solution design sessions, review complex integration and data-migration strategies, and make the hard architecture calls directly.

• Represent Thunder externally through client executive presentations, public speaking, and published thought leadership.
• Stay current on Salesforce product and platform capabilities, emerging patterns, and product updates.

Qualifications:

• 12–15+ years within Enterprise and/or Salesforce ecosystem as an architect, solution engineer, or technical consulting leader in customer-facing roles, including complex, multi-cloud programs.
• 4+ years leading architects, whether as a manager, Principal/Enterprise Architect, or architecture practice lead, with a proven track record of setting standards and driving organizational technical strategy, not just delivering projects.
• Executive presence: able to own a room, earn trust with client C-suite and technical teams alike, and turn a technical narrative into a business decision.
• Deep expertise across Salesforce architecture and platform capabilities (Sales, Service, Experience, and custom solutions), plus cross-cloud and cross-system fluency.
• Expert in custom and managed-package API integrations (RESTful + SOAP) and proven implementation using Salesforce Integration Patterns, including MuleSoft and middleware.
• Demonstrated depth in data architecture, including data modeling, data quality, migrations, and integration into governed data platforms (Data 360 and comparable), as the foundation for the platform, analytics and AI.
• Working fluency in AI and agentic solution design on the Salesforce platform (Agentforce and related patterns), with the judgment to separate durable architecture.
• Sound judgment on the profitability line, architecting for scalability and quality.

• Strongly Preferred: Salesforce Certified Technical Architect (CTA). If not held you must demonstrate the ability to operate at a CTA level.
• Required: Salesforce Admin, plus a credible depth of architect-track certifications, ideally 5+ across Sharing & Visibility Architect, Data Architect, Application Architect, System Architect, Platform Developer I/II, Platform App Builder, and Integration Architect.
• Valued: Sales/Service/Experience/Revenue Cloud Consultant, MuleSoft Integration Architect, Identity & Access Management Architect, Data 360, Agentforce, Development Lifecycle & Deployment Architect.
• Active certifications with a willingness to achieve additional certifications on emerging technologies as Thunders roadmap moves.

• A Culture of Builders – We’re a remote-first, global team of curious, collaborative problem-solvers. You’ll have the opportunity to refine processes, solve challenges, and help shape the future of Salesforce and Amazon consulting. If you’re excited to build, innovate, and grow, you’ll fit right in.
• Forge Your Own Path – At Thunder, you’re not just filling a role—you’re shaping it. Whether it’s jumping into presales, refining our methodology, or building something entirely new, the opportunity to innovate is yours to take.

• Comprehensive Benefits with Sequoia – Medical, Dental, Vision, and Employer-Paid Life/Disability Insurance to keep you and your loved ones covered.
• Ownership & Impact – Stock options in a fast-moving, high-growth company. Every employee plays a part in what we’re building. Come make your mark!
• Level Up Your Career – Real opportunities to grow your Salesforce and Amazon expertise through mentorship, certifications, and hands-on experience with cutting-edge technology.
• Work from anywhere (well, almost 😉) - Enjoy the freedom of remote work, flexible PTO (with a 2-week minimum!), and generous leave policies - because the best work happens where you’re happiest.
• People-First Flexibility – We’re always listening, evolving, and adapting. Your feedback helps shape our policies, ensuring you can thrive - professionally and personally.