Application/Solutions Architect

Note: This posting is intended to build a candidate pipeline for upcoming contract opportunities and does not represent a single immediate opening.

Stafford Gray is building a pipeline of senior architects for contract roles with public-sector and enterprise clients in the Lansing area. Our architects shape how business applications are designed, integrated, and modernized, and they work closely with development teams, business stakeholders, and technical leadership.

We’re especially interested in architects with experience in one or more of these areas:

• Application and solutions architecture: .NET, Java, or modern web application design.
• Platform architecture: Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics 365 / Power Platform, ServiceNow, or other enterprise platforms.
• Integration architecture: APIs, middleware, messaging, and enterprise service design.
• Cloud architecture: Azure or AWS, including application modernization and migration.
• Enterprise architecture: standards, roadmaps, reference architectures, and governance.

What the work typically looks like:

• Designing end-to-end solution architectures and documenting them clearly for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Guiding development teams on design patterns, standards, and technical decisions.
• Evaluating build vs. buy, platform fit, and modernization options for legacy systems.
• Defining integration approaches between systems, platforms, and data sources.
• Reviewing designs for security, scalability, performance, and maintainability.

Requirements

Required

• 10+ years of IT experience, including 5+ years in an architect or technical lead role.
• Hands-on background in software development or platform configuration before moving into architecture.
• Experience producing architecture artifacts such as solution designs, diagrams, and technical standards.
• Experience designing integrations between enterprise systems.
• Strong communication skills, comfortable presenting to technical leadership and business stakeholders.
• Must live within reasonable commuting distance of Lansing, MI. Most roles are hybrid with regular on-site days.
• Must be available for contract work. We work directly with candidates, not through third-party vendors.

Preferred

• Platform certifications such as Salesforce Application or System Architect, Azure Solutions Architect, AWS Solutions Architect, or ServiceNow CTA/CSA.
• TOGAF or other enterprise architecture frameworks.
• Experience supporting government, healthcare, or other regulated environments.