Director, Solution Architecture & Digital Enablement

RTI International is an independent, scientific research institute dedicated to improving the human condition. Our vision is to address the world's most critical problems with technical and science-based solutions in pursuit of a better future. Clients rely on us to answer questions that demand an objective and multidisciplinary approach-one that integrates expertise across social, statistical, data, and laboratory sciences, engineering, and other technical disciplines to solve the world's most challenging problems.

We believe in the promise of science and technical solutions, and we push ourselves every day to deliver on that promise for the good of people, communities, and businesses in the US and around the world. If you are looking for the opportunity to make a real difference, RTI is the place for you.

Solutions Optimizationconnects RTI's capabilities to accelerate innovation, strengthen competitive advantage, and catalyze growth.

There are three current operational functions within Solutions Optimization:

1). Growth Integration drives collaboration, efficiency, and alignment between Growth and Solutions to ensure opportunities translate into innovative and market-focused proposals.

2). Impact Domains unite RTI's broad capabilities into focused networks that drive collaboration and scale organizational impact; and

3). Innovation empowers staff with resources, inputs, and expertiseto make innovation systematic, repeatable, and embedded in our culture.

The Director of Solutions Architecture will build out the fourth function of Solutions Optimization, providing strategic and operational leadership for the architecture function, overseeing the design, integration, and delivery of scalable digital, data, and AI-enabled solutions that advance scientific and client-facing capabilities.

This role leads a multidisciplinary team of architects and technical solution leaders to ensure a cohesive approach to translating business and research needs into secure, reusable, and future-ready platforms.

The Director establishes architectural standards, operating models, and governance that balance innovation with sustainability, ensuring solutions are aligned with RTI enterprise strategy, technology investments, and client impact.

This position serves as the connective layer between strategy and execution, enabling repeatable solution delivery while fostering responsible adoption of emerging technologies, including advanced analytics, cloud-native platforms, and AI-driven capabilities.

Responsibilities:

Functional Leadership

• Lead and develop a high-performing architecture and solution design team responsible for shaping end-to-end digital and data solutions across RTI portfolios.
• Provide direction, coaching, and prioritization to Solutions Architects and related roles to ensure consistency in delivery approaches and technical rigor.
• Establish a community of practice that promotes knowledge sharing, reuse of enterprise assets, and architectural discipline.
• Collaborate with other Solutions Optimization Function Areas to ensure cohesive and integrated approaches to design and delivery data related solutions.

Architectural Strategy & Governance

• Define and maintain RTI's solution architecture framework, standards, and reference patterns across cloud, data, integration, and AI domains.
• Ensure solutions maximize reuse of enterprise platforms while allowing targeted innovation where differentiation is required.
• Guide build-vs-buy decisions and promote modular, platform-oriented solution models that reduce technical debt and lifecycle costs.

Business & Scientific Enablement

• Partner with research, technology, and growth leadership to translate complex scientific and client needs into scalable digital capabilities.
• Align solution strategies with RTI's mission-driven research model, ensuring technology enhances, not complicates, scientific delivery.
• Support major pursuits and proposals by shaping integrated, feasible, and competitive technical approaches.

Operational Integration

• Create repeatable processes for discovery, solution definition, estimation, and transition to engineering and delivery teams.
• Collaborate closely with product management, data governance, cybersecurity, and enterprise IT to ensure cohesive implementation.
• Define metrics to evaluate solution adoption, reuse, scalability, and long-term value realization.

Innovation & Emerging Technology Enablement

• Champion adoption of AI, advanced analytics, and digital research technologies across RTI programs.
• Evaluate emerging tools and approaches, guiding pilots that align with enterprise priorities and compliance expectations.
• Foster an innovative culture grounded in practical application, measurable outcomes, and client value.
• Collaborate with Innovation and Impact Domain Leads on innovation pipelines and needs to ensure enterprise wide approaches.

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, Engineering, Information Systems, or related discipline (master's preferred).
• 15+ years of progressive experience in solution architecture, enterprise technology leadership, or digital consulting environments.
• Demonstrated experience leading architecture or technical strategy teams in complex, matrixed organizations.
• Experience supporting client-facing solution development within research, healthcare, government, or analytics-driven domains preferred.

Required Skills & Competencies

• Proven ability to connect business strategy, scientific workflows, and technology execution into scalable solutions.
• Deep familiarity with cloud ecosystems (AWS, Azure, or GCP), data platforms, integration architectures, and AI-enabled environments.
• Strong systems-thinking mindset with the ability to design for interoperability, reuse, and long-term sustainability.
• Experience establishing governance without stifling innovation.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts for executive, scientific, and operational audiences.
• Track record of influencing across functions without direct authority.
• Financial and operational acumen to balance innovation, cost, and delivery risk.

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For San Francisco, CA USA Job Postings Only: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Further information is availablehere.

RTI accepts applications to our job openings from candidates with criminal histories or conviction records in accordance with all applicable laws, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

For Applicants in Massachusetts Only:It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

The anticipated pay range for this role is listed below. Our pay ranges represent national averages and may vary by location as a geographic differential may be applied to some locations within the United States. RTI considers multiple factors when making an offer including, for example: established salary range, internal budget, business needs, and education and years of work experience possessed by the applicant. Further, salary is merely one element to our offer.

At RTI, we demonstrate our commitment to rewarding individual and team achievement through a total rewards package. This package includes (among other things) a competitive base salary, a generous paid time off policy, merit based annual increases, bonus opportunities and a robust recognition program. Other benefits include a competitive range of insurance plans (including health, dental, life, and short-term and long-term disability), access to a retirement savings program such as a 401(k) plan, paid parental leave for all parents, financial assistance with adoption expenses or infertility treatments, financial reimbursement for education and developmental opportunities, an employee assistance program, and numerous other offerings to support a healthy work-life balance.