Charles Schwab

Chief Architect

Charles Schwab • $160K — $200K *
Austin, TX 78745In-Person
Enterprise Technology
Less than 5 years of experience
Today
Be an Early Applicant
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 7+ years of experience in enterprise architecture leadership across broad domains.
  • Strong background in solution architecture for complex, large-scale systems.
  • Proficient in designing systems for high availability and disaster recovery.
  • Demonstrated expertise in formulating and executing modernization strategies.
  • Ability to analyze technology capability gaps and establish strategic roadmaps.
  • Familiarity with cloud technologies, AI software development, and containerized applications.
  • Exceptional communication skills with the ability to influence executive leadership.

Responsibilities

  • Lead enterprise architectural initiatives and modernization projects.
  • Guide technology decisions to ensure business alignment and operational excellence.
  • Mentor engineers and foster a culture of scalable architecture.
  • Collaborate with senior technology leaders to drive innovative solutions.
  • Establish and manage technology blueprints and strategic roadmaps.
  • Evaluate technical debt and propose cost-optimized modernization strategies.
  • Promote a community of practice among architects for collaborative governance.

Benefits

  • Engagement in bonus or incentive programs.
  • Opportunities for professional development and continued learning.
  • Collaborative work environment enhancing innovation.
Full Job Description
Your Opportunity

As the Chief Architect for RBCT, you will provide senior level architecture and technology leadership across a complex portfolio of applications, platforms, and modernization initiatives. In this role, you will shape, communicate, and drive the long-term architectural vision for the RBCT domains that provide cross-enterprise platforms (serves all lines of businesses and channels) while ensuring alignment to Schwab’s broader technology strategy.

 

You will lead enterprise level architectural initiatives, guide modernization efforts, and ensure that all technology decisions support business outcomes, risk expectations, and operational excellence. As a trusted advisor, you will work closely with senior business and technology leaders, offering strategic insight on technological trends, competitive differentiators, and opportunities to innovate.

 

This role represents both a deep technical expert and a broad strategic leader—someone who is the “first among equals” in environments with other Distinguished Engineers, Chief Architects and technical leaders.  You will influence decision making beyond organizational boundaries, mentor developing engineers, and create a culture of pragmatic, scalable, and well governed architecture across the RBCT organization.

What you have

Required Qualifications:

 

Architecture Leadership

  • Proven ability to lead complex, large enterprise, architectural initiatives across multiple teams, domains, or business areas.
  • Ability to perform solution architecture for highly complex programs involving multiple systems, emerging technologies, or substantial investment.
  • Proven ability to architect systems for availability, disaster recovery, observability, performance, scalability, and incident prevention across mission-critical platforms.
  • Demonstrated accountability for ensuring modernization strategies and blueprints are executed as designed.
  • Experience providing feedback and ongoing guidance to fine-tune systems and implementations based on real-world scenarios.

 

Strategic Thinking & Technology Direction

  • Experience analyzing current vs. target state capability gaps and formulating domain level technology strategies.
  • Ability to establish and maintain technology blueprints, roadmaps, and a three-year technology strategy.
  • Ability to evaluate technical debt, modernization tradeoffs, investment sequencing, cost optimization, and business value realization.
  • Demonstrated ability to build and lead a community of practice across architects and technical leaders, fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and collective ownership of architectural standards.
  • Experience creating forums and mechanisms that promote teamwork, continuous improvement, and innovation across distributed or matrixed technical teams.

 

Portfolio & Governance

  • Experience providing technical leadership across portfolios, strategic programs, and functional domains.
  • Strong understanding of technology governance, risk tolerances, exception processes, and compliance requirements.
  • Skilled at mediating and escalating design disagreements to drive aligned outcomes.

 

Business & Technology Acumen

  • Expertise in cloud modernization, Java/.Net, SQL and NoSQL DBMS technologies, AI-centric software development, and containerized application hosting platforms.
  • Experience defining reusable platform capabilities, integration patterns, APIs, event-driven architectures, and shared services that support multiple business domains.
  • Ability to build and maintain strong business relationships and act as the first point of architectural guidance for the domain.
  • Strong executive presence, including the ability and experience to build and deliver presentations, materials, and communication to executive level leadership.
  • Leadership courage to respectfully challenge decisions when necessary and fully commit once decisions are made.

In addition to the salary range, this role is also eligible for bonus or incentive opportunities.

About Charles Schwab

Charles Schwab is a financial services company that provides a full range of securities, brokerage, banking, money management, financial advisory, investor, and retirement plan services. It operates in four main divisions; investing, wealth management, banking, and trading. Charles Schwab provides a full-service brokerage platform that serves individual investors who invest on their own or through a workplace-sponsored retirement or equity plan, as well as banking through Schwab Bank. The firm was founded in 1973 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.

Charles Schwab Careers

Join the vibrant team at Charles Schwab, a leader in global finance, where your career is propelled by innovation, leadership, and a commitment to diversity and professional growth. At Charles Schwab, we offer more than just job opportunities; we provide a platform for you to make a significant impact on the industry and our clients' lives.

Work You’ll Do

At Charles Schwab, we are dedicated to helping our clients manage their financial futures. Being part of our team means you'll work alongside some of the most skilled professionals in the financial services industry. Our culture thrives on teamwork, integrity, and relentless dedication to our clients. Whether you're looking for a position in financial consulting, technology, or administrative support, Charles Schwab offers a dynamic work environment where your skills will be honed and your achievements recognized.

Innovate and Lead

Embrace the opportunity to lead through innovation. Charles Schwab’s commitment to technology and innovation is fundamental to our service delivery. By joining our team, you will be at the forefront of developing new solutions that redefine the future of finance. Your leadership can guide significant projects that impact our company and the industry.

Grow Your Career

Charles Schwab believes in fostering the growth of its employees. Whether through professional development programs, diversity training, or leadership workshops, we ensure that our team members receive the support and training they need to advance their careers. With a variety of career paths available, your job at Schwab can evolve with your interests and expertise.

Internship and Employment Opportunities

Start your professional journey with Charles Schwab through our internship programs or full-time employment opportunities. We seek individuals who are passionate, curious, and ready to drive change. A career at Schwab is not just about having a job; it's about building a lasting relationship with a company that values your potential.

Benefits and Culture

Charles Schwab is renowned for its employee-friendly culture. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that supports the health, financial stability, and work-life balance of our team members. From competitive salaries and bonuses to health insurance and retirement plans, Schwab ensures that your career is as rewarding as it is enriching.

Networking and Professional Development

Expand your professional network and enhance your skills through our various networking events, mentorship programs, and training sessions. At Charles Schwab, we believe in leveraging collective expertise to foster learning and innovation. Engage with leaders, gain insights from experienced professionals, and build relationships that will aid your career trajectory.

Join Our Team

Explore the numerous career paths available at Charles Schwab and discover how your talents can be utilized to their fullest potential. Search open positions that match your skills and interests. We are continuously hiring across various disciplines and look forward to adding innovative, driven individuals to our team.

Stay Connected

Keep up to date with the latest from Charles Schwab Careers by subscribing to our job alert emails. Tailor your subscription to receive updates that align with your career preferences and be the first to know about new openings, company news, and professional tips.

Explore Charles Schwab Jobs

Ready to take the next step in your career? Visit our careers page to review current job openings, submit your resume, and prepare for your interview. At Charles Schwab, your future is waiting. [SEARCH CHARLES SCHWAB JOBS] Join Charles Schwab today and be part of a team that values diversity, innovation, and leadership—where your career can thrive in the exciting world of finance.
Learn more about Charles Schwab
Size
34,200 employees
Market Cap
$151.6 billion
Industry
Finance & Insurance
Net Income
$3.2 billion
Founded
1973
5 Year Trend
+20%
Revenue
$12.1 billion
NASDAQ
SCHW
* Ladders Estimates

Similar Jobs

Ad banner background

Get Ready For Your
Next Interview

More Jobs at Charles Schwab

More Enterprise Technology Jobs

Find similar Chief Architect jobs:

NationwideAustin, TX