Senior Enterprise Architect - Utility & Energy Sector

Softelite Technologies is seeking a Senior Enterprise Architect to embed within a large investor-owned utility as a forward-deployed member of the client's technology leadership team. This role owns enterprise-wide architecture strategy across grid modernization, IT/OT convergence, and AI-enabled operations. The ideal candidate has carried this responsibility as an operator inside a utility or comparable critical-infrastructure enterprise, not only as an outside advisor.
Key Responsibilities
• Define and own the enterprise architecture roadmap across grid operations, customer systems, and enterprise IT, aligned with the utility's regulatory and reliability obligations (NERC CIP, FERC).
• Serve as the architectural bridge between OT environments (SCADA, ADMS, DERMS) and IT environments (ERP, CIS, data platforms).
• Lead architecture governance boards, technology standards, and reference architectures across business units.
• Partner directly with the client's CIO/CTO and program leadership to translate business strategy (grid capacity buildout, DER integration, AI adoption) into technical architecture decisions.
• Evaluate and select platforms across cloud (Azure, AWS), data, and cybersecurity/governance domains.
• Establish architecture review boards and decision-record practices; mentor client and Softelite engineering teams.
• Ensure every architecture decision accounts for security, regulatory compliance, and long-term maintainability.
Required Qualifications
• 12+ years in enterprise architecture roles, including at least 5 years inside a utility, energy, or other critical-infrastructure environment.
• Direct working experience with NERC CIP and regulated OT/IT environments.
• Deep knowledge of enterprise integration patterns, cloud architecture (Azure or AWS), and data architecture.
• Demonstrated experience advising and presenting to C-level technology executives.
Preferred Qualifications
• Direct experience at a major utility (AEP, NextEra Energy, Duke Energy, Southern Company, Exelon, or comparable).
• TOGAF or equivalent enterprise architecture certification.
• Experience with AI/ML platform architecture and AI governance frameworks.
• Prior delivery experience in a consulting or advisory environment.