Application Architecture Manager (Hybrid)

The role - what you'll do

Barr is seeking an application architecture manager to join our Minneapolis, Minnesota, team. In this hybrid role, you will support the Information Systems group in a leadership role responsible for overseeing the design and development of Barr's internal software and cloud platform services. In this position, you will lead solution architecture for internal and client-facing projects, combining deep technical expertise with team leadership to design robust, scalable, and secure solutions. You will champion best practices in cloud architecture and DevOps, with a strong emphasis on governing our Microsoft Azure environments. In addition to leading an internal development team, this role provides technical guidance at the project level and coordinates with Barr's consultants to ensure consistency with Barr's architecture standards.

A successful candidate in this role will demonstrate strong leadership skills in managing and mentoring technical teams. They will possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively across departments and with stakeholders at all levels, using influence to drive progress. They also demonstrate the ability to work in an environment that emphasizes collaboration, working with other information systems personnel and business leaders to align application architecture and development efforts with the broader technology strategy and product roadmap.

Your impact - key responsibilities

• Solution architecture leadership: lead the design and implementation of application and data architecture for internal systems and advise on client-facing solutions. Ensure that all designs are scalable, secure, and align with business requirements.

• Technical leadership and team management: supervise and mentor the internal development team, providing technical direction and support to deliver high-quality software solutions. Coordinate with and provide guidance to consultant developers to help ensure their work aligns with Barr's standards and project goals.

• Azure platform governance: provide enterprise-level governance for the company's Azure cloud services, implementing policies and best practices for resource management, security, access control, and scalability.

• DevOps and CI/CD automation: drive the maturation of DevOps culture and practices across the software development lifecycle. Improve and maintain Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines and workflows.

• Tools and best practices: oversee and promote the effective use of development tools, environments, documentation, and best practices. Standardize how teams use source control, issue tracking, and IDEs to ensure consistency and quality.

• Architectural governance and review: establish and enforce architectural standards and review processes for new development initiatives. Review and approve the design of technical solutions to ensure they adhere to established architecture principles, security guidelines, and coding standards.

• AI/ML/data pipeline integration: manage and scale the architecture supporting Barr's custom AI/ML pipelines and data-intensive workflows. Help ensure that data pipelines and deployment workflows are built on a reliable and scalable infrastructure.

• Operational oversight and lifecycle management: oversee monitoring and maintenance of application environments to ensure performance, availability, and security. Own the full lifecycle of internal applications, ensuring long-term system health and operational continuity.

• Continuous improvement and innovation: continuously identify areas for process improvement, modernization, and increased automation in our development and deployment processes. Stay up-to-date with emerging technologies and industry trends and proactively recommend innovations that can enhance our software delivery and operations.

About the opportunity

• Compensation: Anticipated range of $130,000-$150,000. Compensation will vary based on relevant experience, education, skill level, and other compensable factors. Employees in this position may also be eligible for a discretionary cash bonus based on team and individual performance. This position is classified as exempt (salaried) under the Fair Labor Standards Act.

• A hybrid work arrangement may be considered for this position. A hybrid work arrangement refers to splitting time worked between a Barr office and a home office. This position is based out of Barr's Minneapolis, Minnesota, office. Internal candidates must be aligned with Barr's Minneapolis, Minnesota office.

About you - required core competencies

• Education: bachelor's degree in computer science, software engineering, or a related discipline; or equivalent work experience

• Experience: 8+ years of relevant experience including:

  • Leading software development in a solution architecture or technical lead role.

  • Designing and managing cloud architectures, with hands-on experience in security and resource governance.

  • Applying modern DevOps practices and building CI/CD pipelines for automated builds, testing, and deployments.

  • Using source control and implementing software engineering best practices.

  • Evaluating architectural trade-offs to design scalable, secure systems.

  • Managing and mentoring technical teams effectively.

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for sponsorship by Barr, now or in the future.

Helpful additional experience (not required)

• Master's degree in computer science, information systems, or a related field.

• Industry certifications such as Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert or Azure DevOps Engineer Expert.

• Experience with Infrastructure-as-Code and configuration management tools; familiarity with containerization and orchestration technologies.

• Background in data engineering or analytics, including data architecture, warehousing, ETL processes; AI/ML exposure is a plus.

• Strong understanding of application security best practices and implementing compliance requirements in software design.

#LI-Hybrid

Benefits - what we offer

We are committed to providing an employee experience that attracts and retains top talent. That's why we offer a competitive package of employee benefits - including some unique offerings not found at other companies. At Barr, we also believe that learning doesn't stop when you get your degree, which is why we provide coaching, mentoring, and support for ongoing educational opportunities to foster professional development at every stage of your career.

• Competitive, affordable insurance plans: Medical, dental, vision, life, disability, accidental death insurance, and flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care

• Retirement benefits: 401(k) retirement savings plan with company contribution and an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) with company contribution in Barr stock

• Profit distribution: Barr has a "no retained earnings" model and distributes all profit to our employees through our annual bonus distribution plan, ESOP, and dividends to shareholders

• Professional development benefits: Annual time and expense allowances, mentorship program, and many internal training opportunities

• Work/life balance: Paid time off, holidays, overtime for non-exempt/hourly staff, and compensatory time for exempt/salaried staff (time off or pay for extra time worked), paid family leave

• Wellness focus: Ergonomic analysis and equipment, Personal Protective Equipment allowance, wellbeing-focused educational opportunities

Please note that benefits eligibility is determined and may change based on part-time, reduced-time, or full-time status.

About us - why choose Barr

At Barr, you'll join a community of engineers, scientists, and professionals who will help you achieve your ambitions and build a meaningful, rewarding career. You'll serve as a trusted advisor to clients who value Barr's tailored solutions and commitment to exceptional service.

As part of our employee-owned firm, you'll contribute to a culture of commitment and camaraderie where staff can thrive as professionals. We value diverse perspectives and experiences and believe an inclusive workplace is critical to our success.

To learn more about Barr's culture and values, visit: https://www.barr.com/Careers/Our-culture

Open positions at Barr Engineering Co. do not have application deadlines. Barr Engineering Co. is an equal opportunity employer, and all applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.