Senior Application Architect – AI Agentic, Integration & Architecture

Senior Application Architect – AI Agentic, Integration & Architecture

Location: New York, NY (Hybrid – 3 Days Onsite / 2 Days Remote)
Client: Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)
Position Type: Contract
Interview Process: Face-to-Face Interview Required
Experience Level: Senior
Preferred Certifications: Cloud certification and additional relevant certifications

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Application Architect with deep expertise in AI agentic architecture, enterprise integration, application modernization, and architecture governance. This is a hands-on senior-level role supporting the MTA’s Architecture Center of Excellence (COE).

The selected architect will design AI-enabled and agent-based solutions, define secure enterprise integration patterns, publish application and API architecture standards, and help establish and operate an enterprise Architecture COE. The role requires strong experience across Azure, AWS, and hybrid cloud environments, along with the ability to collaborate effectively with engineering, product, DevOps, cybersecurity, and business stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

AI Agentic Architecture

• Design reference architectures for agentic AI solutions, including multi-agent orchestration, tool calling, RAG, and human-in-the-loop controls.

• Define secure patterns for integrating AI agents with enterprise systems, APIs, and event-driven workflows, including MCP and event-based triggers.

• Establish guardrails for agent identity, access management, auditability, observability, evaluation, and cost governance.

• Guide the design and delivery of enterprise AI/LLM and agentic AI solutions.

Integration Architecture

• Design and govern API-led, event-driven, and messaging-based integration patterns.

• Define API lifecycle management, API gateway strategy, and integration standards.

• Architect integration solutions across legacy systems, SaaS platforms, and cloud-native applications.

• Ensure integration designs are scalable, secure, reusable, and aligned with enterprise architecture standards.

Architecture Standards & COE

• Develop, publish, and maintain application, integration, API, and AI architecture standards and reference architectures.

• Support the establishment and ongoing operation of an Architecture Center of Excellence (COE).

• Define the COE charter, governance forums, design-review process, training materials, and architecture playbooks.

• Establish metrics to measure COE effectiveness and adoption of architecture standards.

Modernization, Security & Collaboration

• Guide application modernization and cloud-native architecture across Azure, AWS, and hybrid environments.

• Ensure architecture designs align with NIST frameworks, including AI RMF, CIS, ISO 27001, and MTA security requirements.

• Partner with product, engineering, DevOps, cybersecurity, and business teams to deliver practical and secure solutions.

• Communicate architecture decisions clearly to both executive and technical stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in application architecture, enterprise architecture, or solution architecture.

• Strong experience designing cloud-native solutions on Azure and/or AWS.

• Hands-on experience delivering AI, LLM, or agentic AI solutions in an enterprise environment.

• Deep expertise in enterprise integration, APIs, event-driven architecture, messaging, and API lifecycle management.

• Experience creating architecture standards, reference architectures, and governance frameworks.

• Experience operating or supporting an architecture COE, design-review board, or similar governance function.

• Strong understanding of cloud security, identity, observability, and AI governance.

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage executive and technical audiences.

• Ability to work hybrid: 3 days onsite in New York, NY and 2 days remote.

Preferred Qualifications

• Cloud certifications such as AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert, or equivalent.

• Additional relevant certifications such as TOGAF, ITIL, security, or AI-related certifications.

• Experience in large public-sector, transportation, government, or highly regulated enterprise environments.

• Experience with AI governance frameworks, including NIST AI RMF.

• Experience establishing enterprise-wide architecture practices and adoption metrics.

Additional Information

• This position requires a face-to-face interview.

• Candidates must be able to work onsite 3 days per week at MTA Headquarters in New York, NY.

• This is a senior-level contract opportunity.

• Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) participation is preferred.