Salesforce Solutions Architect

This is a 100% onsite role. Remote and/or hybrid arrangements will not be considered.

FirstDay Foundation will not be providing employment VISA sponsorship or STEM OPT Extensions for this role.

Role Overview
The Salesforce Solutions Architect is a hands-on technical leader who partners directly with the Salesforce Architect to design, build, and continuously improve enterprise-scale Salesforce solutions. This role owns solution architecture for complex initiatives across Salesforce clouds, integrations, data models, and security domains, while also contributing directly to delivery through configuration, code reviews, and technical leadership.

This is not a pure strategy or oversight position. Success requires strong architectural judgment, deep platform engineering skills, and the ability to translate evolving business needs into scalable, secure, maintainable solutions in a mission-critical, multi-stakeholder environment.

Scope and Complexity
•Enterprise Salesforce environment supporting mission-critical programs, with frequent enhancements and production support needs.
•Multi-cloud delivery (e.g., Service Cloud, Experience Cloud, Sales Cloud, and Nonprofit Cloud / NPSP where applicable).
•High integration footprint with enterprise systems (identity/SSO, data platforms, finance/ERP, case management, analytics, etc.), using APIs, middleware/iPaaS, and event-driven patterns.
•Data-driven design and governance: data modeling, quality, migration, security/sharing, reporting, and downstream analytics enablement.
•Mixed platform maturity across programs/affiliates; requires pragmatism, standardization, and technical debt remediation.

Key Responsibilities

Architecture and Solution Design
•  Own end-to-end solution architecture for Salesforce capabilities and integrated systems, aligned to enterprise architecture standards and guardrails.
•  Translate business and technical requirements into solution designs, integration approaches, and architectural blueprints (diagrams, data models, and patterns).
•  Make clear tradeoffs between declarative and programmatic approaches; optimize for maintainability, security, and long-term scalability.
•  Design secure, role-based access and sharing models; ensure alignment with cybersecurity, compliance, and privacy requirements.
•  Conduct architecture reviews and enforce adherence to architectural principles, standards, and approved patterns.

Hands-On Build, Technical Leadership, and Quality
•  Contribute directly to complex builds and refactors through configuration and code (Apex, Lightning Web Components, Flow, and platform automation).
•  Lead code reviews and design reviews; establish and enforce development standards, reusable patterns, and documentation practices.
•  Troubleshoot and resolve complex production issues spanning performance, data integrity, security, and integrations.
•  Identify and execute platform optimization and technical debt reduction initiatives that improve reliability and delivery velocity.
•  Build prototypes and proofs of concept to validate approaches and de-risk solution decisions.

Integration, Data Architecture, and Analytics Enablement
•  Design and oversee integrations using REST/SOAP APIs, middleware/iPaaS, and event-based patterns 
(e.g., Platform Events, Change Data Capture) as appropriate.
•  Define canonical data models and data flows; partner with data teams on governance, quality, retention, and analytics requirements.
•  Plan and execute data migration and data transformation strategies; ensure data consistency and real-time availability where required.
•  Collaborate with identity and security teams to implement secure authentication/authorization patterns (SSO, OAuth, MFA) and integration security controls.

DevSecOps, Release Management, and Platform Governance
•  Support release planning, testing strategies, and deployment processes across multiple environments; promote repeatable, automated delivery practices.
•  Partner with DevOps and delivery teams on CI/CD, source control, branching strategies, and release automation.
•  Establish governance for solution reviews, risk management, and platform health (performance, limits, data growth, security posture).

•  Develop and maintain backup, contingency, and disaster recovery strategies appropriate for a mission-critical Salesforce footprint.
•  Provide technical input on Salesforce license usage and utilization trends to inform procurement and optimization decisions (in partnership with Finance).

Stakeholder Partnership and Delivery Leadership
•  Partner with Product Owners, Business Analysts, and stakeholders to shape roadmaps, refine requirements, and define success criteria for user stories.
•  Coordinate with data, infrastructure, and security teams to ensure end-to-end solution readiness for go-live (including operational support models).
•  Act as a trusted advisor to internal teams and (where applicable) external clients/affiliates; communicate complex technical decisions clearly to non-technical audiences.
•  Mentor and upskill admins and developers; set a high bar for engineering excellence and documentation quality.
•  Maintain awareness of Salesforce product releases and adjacent technologies; recommend innovations that measurably improve business outcomes.

What Success Looks Like
•  Solutions are well-architected, secure, performant, and maintainable, with clear documentation and ownership.
•  Teams deliver faster with consistent patterns, strong code quality, and reduced rework.
•  Technical debt trends downward and platform health improves (fewer incidents, smoother releases, better performance).
•  Integrations and data flows are reliable, observable, and resilient, with appropriate security controls.
•  Stakeholders trust the architecture process because tradeoffs are transparent and decisions align to enterprise standards.

Required Qualifications
•  7+ years of Salesforce platform experience with significant hands-on technical depth.
•  3+ years in a senior developer, technical lead, or solution architecture role owning end-to-end solution design.
•  Strong Apex development experience (triggers, sync/async processing, integration patterns, and high-quality automated test coverage).
•  Experience building Lightning Web Components (LWC) and modern Lightning UX patterns.
•  Deep understanding of Salesforce security (profiles/permission sets, sharing model, field-level security, encryption, auditability) and data architecture.
•  Experience designing and supporting integrations using REST/SOAP APIs and/or middleware.
•  Proven ability to operate independently, manage competing priorities, and drive outcomes in a fast-paced environment.

•  Strong written and verbal communication skills with both technical and non-technical audiences.

Preferred Qualifications
•  Experience with Service Cloud and Experience Cloud in enterprise scenarios (including complex case management and digital experiences).
•  Experience with Nonprofit Cloud and/or Nonprofit Success Pack (NPSP); familiarity with nonprofit constituent and program data models.
•  Experience in complex enterprise environments (nonprofit, healthcare, public sector, or similarly regulated/mission-critical domains).
•  Experience supporting multi-org or multi-affiliate Salesforce environments and federated delivery teams.
•  Familiarity with DevOps tooling, CI/CD pipelines, and release automation (e.g., Git-based workflows, automated testing, packaging).
•  Background in data migration, large-scale CRM implementations, and cross-system analytics enablement (data lake/warehouse patterns).
•  Exposure to Salesforce Industries (Vlocity) is a plus.

Education and Certifications

Education
•  Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or equivalent relevant experience.

Certifications
•  Required: Salesforce Administrator and Salesforce Platform Developer I.
•  Strongly preferred (1 or more): Platform Developer II; Application Architect; System Architect; Integration Architect; and/or Salesforce Certified DevOps Engineer/Specialist.
•  Additional cloud certifications relevant to the environment (e.g., Service Cloud, Experience Cloud, Nonprofit Cloud) are valued.

Work Environment and Expectations
•  This role is 100% onsite in San Antonio, TX; relocation is required if not currently local.
•  Hands-on contribution is expected alongside architectural leadership.
•  May require occasional after-hours support for releases or critical incidents.
•  Operates in a rapid-response environment supporting multiple programs with differing needs; flexibility and ownership are essential.
•  Other duties as assigned.