Software Architect

The Opportunity

Highspring is seeking an accomplished Software Architect, Principal Developer, or Staff Engineer to provide technical leadership for a strategic engineering transformation initiative.

This contract opportunity is designed for a senior technology leader who thrives as an individual contributor. The ideal candidate has the technical depth and organizational influence to operate at a Director level but prefers to remain focused on architecture, engineering, and delivering measurable value rather than managing a large team.

You will partner closely with VP-level stakeholders, guide a team of approximately five developers, and lead the architecture and delivery of complex, enterprise-scale technology solutions.

What You'll Do

• Lead the design, architecture, and development of enterprise-scale solutions.
• Provide technical direction and mentorship to a team of approximately five developers without direct people-management responsibilities.
• Serve as a trusted technical advisor to senior leadership.
• Translate complex technical concepts, risks, and opportunities into clear business outcomes.
• Lead proof-of-concept initiatives, architectural decisions, and engineering best practices.
• Balance strategic technology planning with hands-on software development and execution.
• Collaborate with technology, business, and finance stakeholders to evaluate, justify, and communicate investment decisions.
• Influence engineering direction and technical standards across a broad organizational scope.
• Support innovation and modernization initiatives that deliver meaningful business value.

What You Bring to the Table

• Significant experience as a Principal Engineer, Staff Engineer, Lead Architect, or in a comparable senior technical leadership role.
• A strong hands-on background in software development and solution architecture.
• Demonstrated success leading technical teams without formal people-management authority.
• Experience operating within complex, large-scale enterprise environments.
• The ability to move effectively between strategic thinking, architectural leadership, and hands-on execution.
• Exceptional communication, influence, and stakeholder-management capabilities.
• Experience engaging with VP-level and C-level executives.
• A strong ability to connect technical decisions with business priorities, financial considerations, and measurable outcomes.

Core Skills Required

• Enterprise solution architecture
• Hands-on software development
• Technical leadership and mentorship
• Architectural decision-making
• Proof-of-concept development
• Engineering standards and best practices
• Executive stakeholder communication
• Business and technology alignment
• Strategic planning and hands-on delivery

Preferred qualifications:

• Bilingual proficiency in English and French
• Based in Montréal or Toronto
• Experience delivering innovation initiatives, modernization programs, and rapid proofs of concept

Why Join Highspring

This opportunity offers the ability to:

• Lead a strategic engineering transformation while remaining a senior individual contributor.
• Work directly with executive stakeholders on high-impact technology and investment decisions.
• Shape architecture and engineering direction across a broad enterprise environment.
• Combine strategic influence with hands-on technical execution.
• Guide a focused development team while continuing to build and deliver solutions.