Software Factory Architect

The opportunity

This is an on-site contract role at an EU agency headquarters in Warsaw, leading software architecture across a complex, enterprise-scale software factory. You'll act as the trusted technical advisor and architectural authority, shaping the engineering vision, DevSecOps strategy, and development lifecycle in a regulated public-sector environment.

Contract details: 12-month initial term with two 12-month renewals and a final 18-month renewal (maximum 54 months total). ~220 man-days per year (normal working hours) for the first 36 months; 330 man-days for the final 18-month extension. On-site delivery: approx. 40% intra-muros / 60% extra-muros. Earliest start: 1 September 2026. Security screening must be initiated within the first 45 days of assignment; RESTREINT UE/EU RESTRICTED clearance required.

What you'll doProvide consultations in software engineering areas and act as a trusted technical advisor

• Design software development lifecycle and processes
• Recommend decisions and review end-to-end software solution architecture for complex projectsOwn and evolve the engineering vision across the software factory
• Define architecture standards, reference architectures, and best practices
• Ensure consistency and alignment of architectures across the enterprise
• What you bring
• Mandatory:

Minimum Level 7 education (master's degree or equivalent in a relevant field)

English language proficiency at B2 (CEFR) or aboveAt least 8 years of ICT-relevant professional experienceAt least 5 years of experience at a similar positionAt least 2 certifications from the following list (or internationally recognised equivalents):

Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert

Microsoft Certified: DevOps Engineer ExpertRed Hat Certified Architect (RHCA)

Personal Security Clearance at RESTREINT UE/EU RESTRICTED level (security screening initiated within 45 days of assignment)

Knowledge and skills:

Software architecture design for complex, distributed systems

Proven experience designing enterprise-scale and cloud-native architectures

Hands-on experience with backend and/or frontend development (e.g. .

NET, JavaScript/TypeScript)

Strong DevSecOps knowledge including CI/CD strategy and platform design, container and orchestration, and platform engineering

• Recognised technical leader with experience influencing teams without direct authority
• Ability to define and communicate architecture vision and technical strategies
• Ability to evaluate technical risk and make high-impact decisions
• Experience mentoring senior engineers, development leads, technical leaders, and architects
• Specific requirements:

Strong understanding of architecture styles

• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Azure services
• Experience modelling systems in ArchiMate notation
• Assessment: Written test (up to 75 points, 60% pass threshold) + interview (up to 200 points, 60% pass threshold). Final evaluation: Technical quality 50% / Price 50%.

Location

Frontex Headquarters, Warsaw, Poland. On-site delivery (approx. 40% intra-muros / 60% extra-muros). Travel only in exceptional cases (max. €1,200/year reimbursement).