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The Senior Applications Architect is a senior technical leader responsible for designing, developing, and implementing secure, scalable technology solutions that support research, evaluation, and mission-driven programs. This role combines hands-on software engineering and solution architecture with strategic leadership to translate complex business and data requirements into integrated applications, analytics, and decision-support tools.
Working across multidisciplinary teams, the Senior Applications Architect leads the design of data architectures, system integrations, application frameworks, and cloud-based technology solutions that enable clients to leverage data more effectively. The role requires deep technical expertise, strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to troubleshoot and resolve complex issues across systems, data pipelines, and applications.
The ideal candidate has experience delivering end-to-end technology solutions in data-intensive environments and can balance architectural vision with direct technical execution. Experience with Palantir Foundry is highly preferred, including the ability to develop solutions across Foundry's data integration, ontology, analytics, and application layers to support operational decision-making and workflow automation.
This position has the flexibility to work remotely within the United States (U.S.) or from one of our U.S. office locations. This does not include U.S. territories. Occasional travel required for meetings, training sessions, and conferences.
About AIR:
Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, the American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to address some of the most pressing challenges in the United States and globally. We generate evidence and apply data-driven solutions that expand opportunities and improve lives for all.
Primary Responsibilities:
Hands-on Solution Architecture and Development
Design, develop, and implement secure, scalable, data-driven applications using modern software development frameworks, APIs, cloud technologies, and enterprise data platforms.
End-to-End Data Architecture
Architect integrated solutions spanning source data ingestion, transformation, data modeling, analytics, and user-facing applications to support operational decision-making.
Data Modeling and Integration
Develop reusable relational, semantic, and ontology-based data models; integrate and harmonize data from multiple sources; and establish data quality, governance, and traceability from source systems through reported metrics.
Software Engineering and Technical Implementation
Contribute directly to application development, integration, testing, debugging, and performance optimization using technologies such as React, TypeScript, Python, SQL, and REST APIs.
Reusable Architecture and Development Patterns
Design and implement reusable technical components, integration patterns, and reference architectures that support rapid MVP delivery, maintainability, and future platform expansion.
Decision Support and Workflow Automation
Translate complex research, program, and operational requirements into intuitive applications, analytics, and decision-support workflows, incorporating platform-native automation and AI/ML capabilities where appropriate.
Palantir Foundry/Vantage Development
Design and implement solutions within Palantir Foundry/Vantage, including data pipelines, ontology models, object types, relationships, actions, permissions, and applications developed using platform-native tools such as Workshop.
Qualifications:
Education, Knowledge, and Experience
Master’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Science, Engineering, Public Health, Public Policy, or a related field with at least seven years of relevant experience; or a Bachelor’s degree in a related field with at least ten years of relevant experience.
Demonstrated experience designing, architecting, and implementing enterprise-scale applications, data platforms, and integrated technology solutions.
Experience developing and deploying secure, scalable software applications, system integrations, and cloud-based solutions.
Experience designing and implementing data architectures, data models, ETL/ELT processes, APIs, and analytics solutions.
Experience working across multidisciplinary teams to deliver technology solutions that support business, operational, research, or analytical objectives.
Experience applying software development lifecycle (SDLC) methodologies, including Agile development practices, to deliver high-quality technical solutions.
Experience with modern software engineering technologies and frameworks, including application development, database technologies, and enterprise platforms.
Experience with Palantir Foundry, including data integration, ontology design, application development, and analytics capabilities.
Skills Strong solution architecture and systems-thinking skills, with the ability to design end-to-end technical solutions that align with organizational and client objectives.
Strong software engineering and technical problem-solving skills, including the ability to troubleshoot and resolve complex issues across applications, integrations, data pipelines, and infrastructure.
Strong data architecture and data modeling skills, including relational, semantic, and ontology-based approaches.
Strong understanding of cloud technologies, APIs, enterprise data platforms, and modern application development frameworks.
Ability to translate complex business, operational, and research requirements into intuitive applications, analytics, and decision-support solutions.
Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with technical and non-technical audiences.
Strong organizational and project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high-quality results in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to mentor technical staff, promote best practices, and contribute to the development of reusable architectures, standards, and implementation patterns.
Disclosures: Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis. Employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) is not available for this position. Depending on project work, qualified candidates may need to meet certain residency requirements.
American Institutes for Research is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law, including, but not limited to, actual or perceived race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braid, locs, and twists), creed, color, religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition (e.g., cancer), sex, gender, gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, civil union status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, genetic information, or military or veteran status. AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo reference and background checks. AIR maintains a drug-free work environment.
ACCESSIBILITY NOTICE: If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a physical or mental disability, please send an email to Taliba Boone at or call 202.403.5000.
Fraudulent Job Scams Warning & Disclaimer: AIR is aware of individuals falsely presenting themselves as AIR representatives. Fraudulent job scams seek to extract sensitive information or money from victims. To protect yourself, please be aware that AIR recruitment will only email you from an “@air.org” domain. Please take extra caution while examining the email address, for example is correct and is not a legitimate AIR email address. If you are unsure of the legitimacy of a communication you have received, please reach out to . If you see a job scam, or lose money to one, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also report it to your state attorney general. Find out more about how to avoid scams atftc.gov/scams.
AIR’s Total Rewards Program, is designed to reward our staff competitively and motivate them to achieve our critical mission. This position offers the anticipated annual salary as listed. Salary offers are made based on internal equity within the institution and external equity with competitive markets. Please note this is the annual salary range for candidates that are based in the United States.