Software Architect / Senior Software Architect: DevOps

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Software Architect / Senior Software Architect: DevOps - Cloud Engineering (R&D)
Company: IFS
Location: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Job Type: Full-time
Category: DevOps Engineer, Cloud Architect
Date Posted: 2025-07-07
Experience Level: 10+ years
Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

Design and develop scalable, secure, and high-performing cloud-based solutions for IFS Cloud services
Collaborate with engineering teams to automate deployment and ensure robust architectural design
Provide technical leadership and set the technical agenda for product and program managers
Drive the spread of technical skills and knowledge throughout the IFS community
Contribute to improvements in IFS products and services

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong background in cloud engineering, software architecture, and technical leadership. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of driving successful strategies and implementing improvements in engineering methodologies and practices.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

Collaborate with Engineering Teams: Work closely with engineering teams to design solutions for IFS Cloud services and automate their deployment.
Ensure Robust Architectural Design: Design solutions considering usability, scalability, high-availability, maintainability, security, and performance.
Provide Technical Leadership: Set technical agenda and provide multi-horizon technology thinking for broad portfolios and platforms.
Adopt a Hands-on Approach: Develop the architecture runway for teams and ensure software quality complying with shift-left quality principles.
Engage with Stakeholders: Conduct peer reviews, provide feedback, and engage with requirement owners and other stakeholders.
Contribute to Improvements: Drive improvements in IFS products and services by leveraging your technical expertise and industry knowledge.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a balance of technical depth and breadth. The ideal candidate will have a solid understanding of cloud-based infrastructure, application security, and software architecture, as well as the ability to communicate technical concepts effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field. A Master's degree would be an asset.

Experience: 10+ years of hands-on experience in designing, developing, and implementing scalable cloud-based web and mobile applications.

Required Skills:

Strong software architectural, technical design, and programming skills
Experience in application security, scalability, and performance
Knowledge of CI/CD tools (GitLab, Circle CI, GitHub, Jenkins, Tekton), Kubernetes, Docker, infrastructure as code (Terraform, Ansible), scripting (Bash, PowerShell, Python, GoLang), and cloud-based infrastructure (Azure, AWS, GCP)
Excellent communication and multi-tasking skills, along with an innovative mindset

Preferred Skills:

Experience with ERP application development
Familiarity with databases (Oracle, MongoDB, Cassandra, PostgreSQL, etc.)

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the hybrid nature of this role, candidates with experience in both technical leadership and hands-on development will be at an advantage. Familiarity with ERP application development and relevant databases would also be beneficial.

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

Demonstrate your experience in designing, developing, and implementing scalable cloud-based applications
Showcase your ability to ensure software quality and maintainability
Highlight your experience with CI/CD tools, Kubernetes, Docker, and infrastructure as code
Provide examples of your technical leadership and ability to drive improvements in products and services

Technical Documentation:

Document your design and development process, highlighting your consideration of usability, scalability, high-availability, maintainability, security, and performance
Include code snippets, diagrams, and any other relevant documentation that demonstrates your technical expertise
Showcase your ability to articulate technical concepts effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the strategic nature of this role, your portfolio should demonstrate your ability to think critically about complex technical challenges and provide innovative solutions. Your technical documentation should also showcase your ability to communicate these solutions effectively to a wide range of stakeholders.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: The salary range for this role is not specified. However, given the experience level and the location, we estimate the salary range to be between LKR 3,000,000 - LKR 4,500,000 per annum.

Benefits:

Flexible and hybrid work opportunities to support diverse needs and lifestyles
A sense of community to drive innovation, strengthen connections, and nurture belonging
Competitive benefits package, including health insurance, retirement plans, and more

Working Hours: The standard working hours are 40 hours per week. However, the role may require flexibility to meet project deadlines and maintenance windows.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is an estimate based on market research and industry standards for similar roles in Sri Lanka. The actual salary may vary depending on the candidate's experience, skills, and the company's compensation structure.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: IFS operates in the enterprise software industry, providing award-winning solutions that enable customers to be their best at the moment of service. The company's leading AI technology is the backbone of its products, ensuring that they are always cutting-edge and innovative.

Company Size: IFS is a billion-dollar revenue company with over 7,000 employees across all continents. This size allows for a diverse range of opportunities and a global perspective.

Founded: IFS was founded in 1983 and has since grown to become a leading provider of enterprise software solutions. The company's commitment to internal AI adoption has allowed it to stay at the forefront of technological advancements.

Team Structure:

The Cloud Engineering team is part of the Research and Development (R&D) department, which is responsible for driving innovation and improvement in IFS's products and services.
The team works closely with other departments, including Product Management, Program Management, and Engineering, to ensure that IFS's solutions meet the functional and non-functional requirements of its customers.

Development Methodology:

IFS uses Agile Engineering principles to build, nurture, and grow high-performance engineering teams.
The company emphasizes multi-horizon technology thinking, ensuring that its solutions are robust, secure, and cost-effective.
IFS also emphasizes shift-left quality principles, ensuring that software quality is a key consideration throughout the development lifecycle.

Company Website: IFS Website

📝 Enhancement Note: IFS's commitment to internal AI adoption and its use of Agile Engineering principles make it an attractive employer for candidates looking to work in a dynamic and innovative environment. The company's global presence also provides opportunities for candidates interested in working in a diverse and multicultural setting.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Web Technology Career Level: This role is at the senior level in the web technology career path. It requires a high level of technical expertise and the ability to provide technical leadership to other team members.

Reporting Structure: The Software Architect / Senior Software Architect reports directly to the Head of Cloud Engineering. They work closely with product and program managers, as well as other members of the R&D department.

Technical Impact: The role has a significant impact on the technical direction of IFS's products and services. The Software Architect / Senior Software Architect is responsible for setting the technical agenda and ensuring that IFS's solutions are robust, secure, and cost-effective.

Growth Opportunities:

Technical Growth: The role provides opportunities for technical growth through exposure to a wide range of technologies and the chance to work on cutting-edge projects.
Leadership Growth: The role also provides opportunities for leadership growth through the chance to mentor other team members and drive improvements in IFS's products and services.
Career Progression: The role is a senior position, and there may be opportunities for career progression within the R&D department or other parts of the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the senior nature of this role, candidates should have a proven track record of driving successful strategies and implementing improvements in engineering methodologies and practices. They should also be able to articulate their technical vision effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: IFS's office in Colombo is a modern, collaborative workspace designed to foster innovation and creativity. The office is equipped with state-of-the-art technology and provides a comfortable and productive working environment.

Office Location(s): IFS's office in Colombo is located in the heart of the city, providing easy access to public transportation and other amenities.

Workspace Context:

The workspace is designed to facilitate collaboration and communication between team members.
The office is equipped with multiple monitors and testing devices to ensure that team members have the tools they need to do their jobs effectively.
The workspace also provides opportunities for knowledge sharing, technical mentoring, and continuous learning.

Work Schedule: The standard working hours are 40 hours per week. However, the role may require flexibility to meet project deadlines and maintenance windows. IFS offers flexible and hybrid work opportunities to support diverse needs and lifestyles.

📝 Enhancement Note: IFS's commitment to providing a collaborative and innovative workspace makes it an attractive employer for candidates looking to work in a dynamic and creative environment. The company's flexible work arrangements also provide opportunities for candidates looking to balance their work and personal lives.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

Technical Assessment: The interview process begins with a technical assessment, which may include a coding challenge or a system design exercise. This assessment is designed to evaluate the candidate's technical skills and their ability to think critically about complex technical challenges.
Behavioral Interview: The next stage of the interview process is a behavioral interview, which is designed to evaluate the candidate's communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit.
Final Interview: The final stage of the interview process is a meeting with the hiring manager or a member of the senior leadership team. This interview is designed to evaluate the candidate's strategic thinking and their ability to provide technical leadership.

Portfolio Review Tips:

Demonstrate Your Technical Expertise: Your portfolio should demonstrate your experience in designing, developing, and implementing scalable cloud-based applications.
Showcase Your Technical Leadership: Include examples of your technical leadership and your ability to drive improvements in products and services.
Highlight Your Communication Skills: Your portfolio should also showcase your ability to articulate technical concepts effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Technical Challenge Preparation:

Brush Up on Your Technical Skills: Review your knowledge of cloud-based infrastructure, application security, and software architecture.
Practice Coding Challenges: Familiarize yourself with common coding challenges and practice solving them under time pressure.
Prepare for System Design Exercises: Review your knowledge of system design principles and practice designing scalable, secure, and high-performing systems.

ATS Keywords: [A comprehensive list of web development and server administration-relevant keywords for resume optimization, organized by category: programming languages, web frameworks, server technologies, databases, tools, methodologies, soft skills, industry terms]

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for this role is designed to evaluate the candidate's technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their technical expertise and their ability to articulate their technical vision effectively to a wide range of stakeholders.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure

Cloud Technologies:

Azure: IFS uses Azure as its primary cloud-based infrastructure. Candidates should have experience working with Azure and be familiar with its services and features.
AWS and GCP: Candidates should also have experience working with other cloud-based infrastructures, such as AWS and GCP, and be familiar with their services and features.

CI/CD Tools:

GitLab, Circle CI, GitHub, Jenkins, Tekton: Candidates should have experience working with CI/CD tools and be familiar with their features and best practices.

Kubernetes and Docker:

Candidates should have experience working with Kubernetes and Docker and be familiar with their use in designing and deploying scalable, secure, and high-performing applications.

Infrastructure as Code (IaC):

Terraform, Ansible: Candidates should have experience working with IaC tools and be familiar with their use in automating the deployment and management of cloud-based infrastructure.

Scripting:

Bash, PowerShell, Python, GoLang: Candidates should have experience working with scripting languages and be familiar with their use in automating tasks and processes.

Databases:

Oracle, MongoDB, Cassandra, PostgreSQL: Candidates should have experience working with a variety of databases and be familiar with their features and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the strategic nature of this role, candidates should have a broad and deep understanding of cloud-based infrastructure, CI/CD tools, Kubernetes, Docker, IaC, scripting, and databases. They should also be familiar with the use of these technologies in designing and deploying scalable, secure, and high-performing applications.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Web Development Values:

Innovation: IFS values innovation and encourages its team members to think creatively and push the boundaries of what is possible.
Collaboration: IFS values collaboration and encourages its team members to work together to achieve common goals.
Quality: IFS values quality and is committed to delivering high-quality products and services to its customers.
Customer Focus: IFS values a customer-focused approach and is committed to understanding the needs of its customers and delivering solutions that meet those needs.

Collaboration Style:

Cross-Functional Integration: IFS encourages collaboration between its teams and values the input of team members from a wide range of backgrounds and disciplines.
Code Review Culture: IFS values a code review culture and encourages its team members to review each other's work and provide feedback.
Knowledge Sharing: IFS encourages knowledge sharing and provides opportunities for team members to learn from each other and from external sources.

📝 Enhancement Note: IFS's commitment to innovation, collaboration, quality, and customer focus makes it an attractive employer for candidates looking to work in a dynamic and creative environment. The company's cross-functional integration, code review culture, and knowledge-sharing opportunities also provide opportunities for candidates looking to learn and grow in their roles.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

Scalability: The role requires a deep understanding of scalable architecture and the ability to design and deploy scalable, secure, and high-performing applications.
Security: The role requires a strong understanding of application security and the ability to ensure that IFS's solutions are secure and resistant to attacks.
Performance: The role requires a deep understanding of performance optimization and the ability to ensure that IFS's solutions are fast, reliable, and efficient.
Emerging Technologies: The role requires a willingness to learn and adapt to new technologies and trends in the cloud engineering and software architecture space.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Technical Skill Development: The role provides opportunities for technical skill development through exposure to a wide range of technologies and the chance to work on cutting-edge projects.
Leadership Development: The role also provides opportunities for leadership development through the chance to mentor other team members and drive improvements in IFS's products and services.
Career Progression: The role is a senior position, and there may be opportunities for career progression within the R&D department or other parts of the organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: Given the strategic nature of this role, candidates should be prepared to face complex technical challenges and to learn and adapt to new technologies and trends in the cloud engineering and software architecture space. They should also be willing to take on leadership responsibilities and to drive improvements in IFS's products and services.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

Cloud Architecture: Be prepared to discuss your experience with cloud-based infrastructure and your understanding of cloud architecture principles.
Application Security: Be prepared to discuss your experience with application security and your understanding of secure coding practices.
System Design: Be prepared to discuss your experience with system design and your ability to design scalable, secure, and high-performing systems.

Company & Culture Questions:

IFS's Mission: Be prepared to discuss your understanding of IFS's mission and its commitment to driving innovation and improvement in the enterprise software industry.
IFS's Culture: Be prepared to discuss your understanding of IFS's culture and its commitment to collaboration, quality, and customer focus.
IFS's Products: Be prepared to discuss your understanding of IFS's products and their use in the enterprise software industry.

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

Demonstrate Your Technical Expertise: Your portfolio should demonstrate your experience in designing, developing, and implementing scalable cloud-based applications.
Showcase Your Technical Leadership: Include examples of your technical leadership and your ability to drive improvements in products and services.
Highlight Your Communication Skills: Your portfolio should also showcase your ability to articulate technical concepts effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for this role is designed to evaluate the candidate's technical skills, problem-solving abilities, and cultural fit. Candidates should be prepared to demonstrate their technical expertise and their ability to articulate their technical vision effectively to a wide range of stakeholders. They should also be willing to take on leadership responsibilities and to drive improvements in IFS's products and services.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Software Architect / Senior Software Architect: DevOps - Cloud Engineering (R&D) position at IFS:

Submit Your Application: Click on the application link provided in the job listing and submit your application through the IFS careers portal.
Prepare Your Portfolio: Tailor your portfolio to highlight your experience in designing, developing, and implementing scalable cloud-based applications. Include examples of your technical leadership and your ability to drive improvements in products and services.
Optimize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight your technical skills and your experience with cloud-based infrastructure, application security, and software architecture. Include relevant keywords and phrases to help your resume pass through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
Prepare for Technical Interviews: Review your knowledge of cloud-based infrastructure, application security, and software architecture. Practice coding challenges and system design exercises to prepare for the technical assessment. Brush up on your knowledge of IFS's products and its commitment to driving innovation and improvement in the enterprise software industry.
Research IFS: Familiarize yourself with IFS's mission, culture, and products. Prepare for company-specific questions and be ready to discuss your fit with the team and the organization.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and web development/server administration industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

Software Architect / Senior Software Architect: DevOps - Cloud Engineering (R&D)