FamilySearch Content Access Architect/Software Dev Engineer 5 (Lehi, UT)

The Enterprise Data Architect (Software Dev Engineer 5) is a principal-level technical role requiring extensive knowledge of industry practices and organizational policies. This individual sets the technical direction for records data modeling and infrastructure and drives execution through implementation, bringing deep, hands-on expertise managing petabyte-scale genealogical data including images, trees, full-text, and indexed records.

The role exercises sound judgment in selecting methods and techniques for designing, defining, developing, testing, purchasing, implementing, and analyzing technical products and systems of diverse scope. Success in this position requires the ability to sequence and de-risk large-scale legacy-to-modern platform migrations while integrating AI/ML capabilities across both legacy and modern environments.

As a technical leader and individual contributor, the architect influences multiple engineering teams and leaders in areas such as software development, project planning, DevSecOps initiatives, work breakdown and estimation, and engineering peer reviews. Responsibilities include providing technical leadership in architecture, design, implementation, software quality, and ongoing engineering support for the organization's technology applications.

Working with divine guidance, this individual helps provide and support technology that furthers the mission of the Church and reflects the eternal impact of the gospel.

We encourage all applicants who possess the posted skills and abilities to apply.

Work with the technical lead in the establishment of architectures, standards, and best practices

Act as a technical lead and, if assigned, mentor other developers

As a member of a software engineering team, participate in team meetings, team planning sessions, setting team goals, and all other team activities

Build and maintain relationships with other development teams to promote collaboration

Estimate the time to develop and deliver features as defined by product management

Participate in peer reviews of project software design and coding

Develop source code and unit tests according to technical designs

Contribute to the creation of team-wide development strategies

Be self-directed and provide classroom instruction in the areas of Church software development processes, industry best practices, and new technologies being adopted for the organization

Document new technical knowledge and train others on emerging needs and technologies

Provide formal training, mentoring, or pair programming with other less-experienced engineers

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, closely related field or equivalent experience
• Eight years of industry-recognized, progressive and relevant professional experience
• Three years of specialized experience in the technologies and methodologies of the product platform processes
• Prior experience in a software developer leadership role, leading a team (of four or more) through the first and subsequent releases of several (three or more) successful products, at least one of which must be a large-scale enterprise application
• Excellent communication skills including the ability to create, communicate, and direct work toward accomplishing an overall technical vision
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and train peers
• Strong understanding of Agile Software Development methodologies and principles
• Ability to direct the work in defining logic and algorithms to create programming solutions and designing modules and implementing them within the overall architecture
• Significant engineering experience (multiple major releases) in the primary areas of an n-tier enterprise system, e.g., interface, domain logic and database layers.
• Expert-level skills in engineering/programming, analytical/diagnostic/troubleshooting, web technology, and programming methodology
• Ability to architect entire systems and subsystems
• Familiarity with Cloud Based Platforms and services
• High-level understanding of DevSecOps
• Leader of Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery principles
• Extensive knowledge of applicable software, computer languages, and code to perform the responsibilities of the role
• Proven aptitude and willingness to learn new technologies and programming languages

This job operates in a professional environment

To successfully perform the essential functions of the job there may be physical requirements which need to be met such as sitting for long periods of time and using computer monitors/equipment

Preferred:

1. Data Architecture & Infrastructure Direction – Sets the technical direction for data modeling and infrastructure and drives implementation across complex systems.
2. Petabyte-Scale Data Expertise – Deep, hands-on experience managing petabyte-scale genealogical data, including images, trees, full-text, and indexed records.
3. Governance & AI/ML Architecture – Expertise in data governance, compliance, and integrating AI/ML capabilities into both legacy and modern systems.
4. Migration & Modernization Strategy – Demonstrated ability to sequence and de-risk large-scale platform modernization efforts.
5. Technology Evaluation & Build-vs-Buy Judgment – Evaluates platforms and vendor solutions based on cost, risk, scalability, and organizational fit.
6. Systems Validation Rigor – Champions automated guardrails, validation, and quality controls over manual review processes.
7. Performance & Cost Discipline – Balances performance, scalability, and searchability with infrastructure cost considerations as data volumes grow.
8. Legacy Systems Expertise – Skilled at understanding, documenting, and modernizing inherited or undocumented systems.
9. Mentorship & Succession Planning – Develops others, shares knowledge, and reduces organizational dependency on individual contributors.
10. AWS Platform Fluency – Hands-on familiarity with core AWS services and cloud-native architecture patterns.
11. Master's degree in a related field