Seeking an experienced Chief Architect to lead enterprise architecture vision and AI development strategy in a rapidly growing clinical research organization.

About the Company

Sitero is a clinical research organization (CRO) that delivers technology-enabled solutions for the life sciences industry. Their product portfolio includes Mentor CTMS (Clinical Trial Management System), EDC, RTMS, and Payments, along with a growing suite of AI-assisted tools for clinical operations and drug safety. Operating globally, Sitero serves clients in the pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device sectors, continuously expanding its product portfolio while modernizing engineering practices. This role presents a unique opportunity to significantly influence the technical foundation of a high-growth CRO.

Role Overview

The Chief Architect is a pivotal senior leadership role responsible for owning Sitero's enterprise architecture vision and AI development strategy. This hands-on role mandates high impact, where you will set standards, govern decisions, and lead the transformation of product building and scaling practices. The ideal candidate will chair the Architecture Review Board and oversee all AI tooling adoption across engineering. Collaboration with Engineering, Product Management, and Operations leadership is essential to ensure that every product delivered meets a solid, scalable, compliant foundation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Architecture Governance: Own the enterprise architecture vision across all Sitero products, chair the Architecture Review Board for bi-weekly technical decision reviews, and maintain architecture documentation and standards.
• Champion AI-enabled Development: Drive the standard operating model for AI development across engineering teams, oversee the rollout of AI tools, and ensure high adoption levels of AI-assisted coding methodologies.
• Promote Engineering Best Practices: Publish and maintain Sitero's quarterly Tech Radar, sponsor Engineering Guilds, and lead architecture health assessments.
• Ensure Compliance & Security Architecture: Implement compliance-by-design principles and lead technology due diligence for new vendors.
• Build & Mentor Teams: Establish a strong architecture team, mentor senior engineers, and collaborate on cross-functional initiatives.

Tech Stack

• Cloud Providers: AWS, Azure (including AKS, App Service, Azure SQL, Aurora Postgres SQL, Service Bus)
• Development Tools: GitLab, GitHub Copilot, Claude Code
• Compliance Standards: GxP, SOC 2, HIPAA, 21 CFR Part 11, GDPR

Requirements

Required

• 15+ years of progressive software engineering and architecture experience.
• 5+ years in a principal, staff, or chief architect role with organization-wide scope.
• Proven experience defining and governing enterprise architecture across multiple products or business units.
• Deep expertise in cloud-native architecture: AWS/Azure (AKS, App Service, Azure SQL, Aurora Postgres SQL, Service Bus).
• Strong hands-on experience with AI-assisted development tools: GitLab/GitHub Copilot, Claude Code, or equivalent.
• Track record of building and leading architecture or platform teams.
• Experience with regulated-industry software: GxP, SOC 2, HIPAA, 21 CFR Part 11, or equivalent.
• Demonstrated ability to define and enforce engineering best practices at scale.
• Excellent written and verbal communication — able to translate complex architecture to all audiences.

Preferred

• Experience in life sciences, clinical research, or healthcare technology domains.
• Familiarity with CTMS, EDC, or drug safety systems (pharmacovigilance, clinical trial platforms).
• Experience building Architecture Review Boards and ADR processes from scratch.
• Track record publishing internal Tech Radars or engineering best practice programmes.
• Hands-on experience with test automation at scale (80%+ coverage targets, AI-generated tests).
• Master’s degree in computer science, Software Engineering, or related field.

Benefits

• A seat at the table: direct reporting to CTO; your decisions shape the company's technical direction.
• Greenfield architecture mandate: design the engineering foundation from scratch across a growing product portfolio.
• AI-first culture: full budget and mandate to deploy best-in-class AI development tools across all teams.
• High-impact, low-bureaucracy environment: lean leadership team, fast decision-making, global scope.
• Competitive compensation.