Software architect Jobs in Concord, CA

We are seeking a senior-level developer/tech lead with solution architecture experience who thrives at the intersection of hands-on engineering and solution design. You’ll lead technical efforts across the enterprise, mentor developers, and design end-to-end solutions that enable data-driven decision-making and seamless integration across our retail, supply chain, merchandising, eCommerce, and reporting platforms.

You won’t have direct reports - but you’ll be the go-to technical lead for a small team of 5-6 developers, setting best practices, reviewing code, and helping the team deliver reliable, scalable solutions that make an impact.

Please Note: This position is a hybrid role, involving on-site work each week at our corporate headquarters in Concord, CA. Candidates who are fully remote or outside of reasonable commuting distance will not be considered.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the design and delivery of end-to-end solutions across multiple business domains.
• Hands on development and maintenance of APIs, functions, and services in C#, Python and other languages as needed, that connect merchandising, eCommerce, retail, supply chain and reporting systems.
• Act as a technical mentor and code reviewer for a small team, setting standards for clean, maintainable, and performant code.
• Partner with business leads, business analysts, and project managers to translate business needs into scalable technical designs.
• Implement and manage CI/CD pipelines using Azure DevOps.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with business and IT teams to ensure solutions meet both functional and performance goals.
• Contribute to overall solution architecture discussions, helping shape our application and integration landscape.
• Drive best practices around system architecture, integration, reliability, and cloud-native design.

Qualifications:

• 5-7+ years of hands-on engineering experience and 2-3 years contributing to solution architecture efforts across multiple enterprise systems.
• Deep understanding of integration technologies and patterns (API gateway, Middleware, Messaging systems).
• Strong experience with C# and Python for backend/API development. Hands-on experience organizing and validating data pipelines within Microsoft Fabric or similar data lakehouse architectures.
• Deep understanding of the bronze/silver/gold data curation model and how each layer supports data quality, business logic, and reporting performance.
• Proven ability to document and map business data requirements to data models, ensuring BI solutions accurately reflect business processes.
• Hands-on expertise with Azure Fabric, Azure Functions, API Management, App Gateway, and Azure DevOps or other similar technologies.
• Experience with designing microservices, APIs (REST), and event-driven solutions.
• Strong understanding of solution architecture principles, system design, and integration best practices.
• Proven experience mentoring or leading developers on active projects (5-6 team members).
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills - you can work with both engineers and business stakeholders.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.
• Microsoft certifications (e.g., Azure Developer Associate, Solutions Architect Expert) are a plus.

PFE Perks:

• Work with a talented, collaborative engineering team modernizing core systems with cutting-edge Azure tech.
• Grow with us: Opportunities toward Solution Architect or Engineering Manager pathways.
• Make a real impact: your designs and code directly power digital transformation initiatives.
• Generous in-store employee discount that extends to your family.
• Be Healthy: Health with FSA options, dental, and vision insurance – even pet insurance!
• Plan for the future: k with employer match.
• Get Rewarded: Employee referral bonuses.
• Rest and Relax: Competitive Paid Time Off.

The salary for this position is expected to be $, - $,. Pet Food Express determines starting salary based on many factors, including but not limited to, local market rate, the qualified pool of candidates, internal compensation practices, a candidate’s actual skills and experience.

About the Company

Pet Food Express is a leading California-based pet specialty retailer with a passion for improving the lives of pets and their owners. Our philosophy revolves around the belief that pets are part of the family, deserving of the best care possible. Since our inception, Pet Food Express has been committed to making a positive impact on the communities we serve by promoting responsible pet ownership, supporting various animal welfare initiatives, and ensuring pets are happy, healthy and homed. With over 60 locations across the state, Pet Food Express has become a trusted destination for pet parents seeking high-quality products and personalized advice from knowledgeable and dedicated staff.

This job summary is intended to describe the general nature and level of work associates/leaders assigned to this job perform. It is not intended to include all duties and responsibilities.