Software Application Architect Jobs in Tennessee

Position OverviewAt PNC, our people are our greatest differentiator and competitive advantage in the markets we serve. We are all united in delivering the best experience for our customers. We work together each day to foster an inclusive workplace culture where all of our employees feel respected, valued and have an opportunity to contribute to the company's success. As a Senior Software Architect - .Net/Python within PNC's Lending Tech organization, you will be based in Dallas TX, Pittsburgh PA, Birmingham AL, Strongsville OH, Denver CO, or Phoenix AZ.PNC is an in-office company that fosters a supportive culture where employees can thrive and achieve balance. We encourage candidates to connect with their recruiter and hiring manager to understand workplace expectations and ensure the role aligns with their goals.PNC will not provide sponsorship for employment visas or participate in STEM OPT for this position.Job Description

We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Solution Architect to define and execute technology strategy across multiple enterprise initiatives. This role combines strategic architecture leadership, hands-on technical expertise, and emerging AI capabilities to deliver scalable, resilient, secure, and intelligent solutions that drive business value.

The successful candidate will work closely with business leaders, product owners, engineering teams, and executive stakeholders to establish architectural direction for initiatives focused on operational efficiency, digital transformation, customer experience, and business growth. This individual will be responsible for guiding multiple development teams, modernizing legacy platforms, driving cloud adoption, and advancing AI-enabled solutions throughout the organization.

The ideal candidate possesses deep expertise in .NET, cloud architecture, microservices, event-driven systems, and modern software engineering practices, along with experience designing and implementing AI-powered applications using Large Language Models (LLMs), AI agents, and machine learning technologies.

Key Responsibilities

Enterprise Architecture & Technology Leadership

• Define and drive solution and application architecture strategy across multiple business initiatives and delivery teams.
• Architect secure, scalable, highly available, cloud-ready enterprise applications using .NET and modern frameworks.
• Lead modernization efforts, including migration from monolithic and legacy systems to distributed, cloud-native architectures.
• Provide architecture consulting, and technical leadership across programs and development teams.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend solutions that improve business outcomes, development velocity, and operational efficiency.
• Create reusable architectural patterns, foundational frameworks, and development accelerators to promote consistency and productivity.

Cloud, Microservices & Distributed Systems

• Design and implement microservices-based solutions using Domain-Driven Design (DDD) and modern architectural principles.
• Lead adoption and implementation of containerized platforms utilizing Docker and Kubernetes or OpenShift.
• Architect highly resilient systems supporting active-active deployment models, fault tolerance, and disaster recovery.
• Design and manage RESTful APIs and service integrations using OpenAPI/Swagger and related standards.

Event-Driven Architecture

• Design and implement event-driven architectures leveraging Kafka or similar streaming technologies.
• Develop scalable data architectures supporting high-volume transaction processing.
• Ensure data platforms meet performance, reliability, security, and compliance requirements.

AI, Machine Learning & Intelligent Automation

• Define and drive AI architecture strategies leveraging Large Language Models (LLMs), AI agents, machine learning, and intelligent automation.
• Design and implement AI-powered solutions including conversational AI, retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), and agentic workflows.
• Lead integration of AI agents with applications, APIs, databases, and knowledge repositories.
• Evaluate AI technologies, model providers, vector databases, orchestration frameworks, and AI development platforms.
• Partner with business stakeholders to identify opportunities where AI and machine learning can improve customer experience, operational efficiency, and decision-making.

Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate with product owners, business analysts, engineering leaders, and executive stakeholders to align technology solutions with strategic objectives.
• Translate complex technical concepts into clear business recommendations for leadership audiences.
• Mentor architects, developers, and technical leads while fostering a culture of innovation, continuous learning, and engineering excellence.
• Lead technology selection, architecture reviews, and strategic planning efforts.
• Influence organizational technology direction and drive adoption of modern engineering practices.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field. Equivalent experience will be considered.
• 10+ years of experience in software engineering, solution architecture, or enterprise architecture roles.
• Experience designing and implementing enterprise-scale distributed applications using .NET Core.
• Proven success architecting and delivering microservices-based solutions in enterprise environments.
• Strong experience with:
  • .NET Core
  • Docker
  • Kubernetes or OpenShift
  • Kafka or comparable messaging platforms
• Deep knowledge of software architecture principles, SOLID design, enterprise integration patterns, distributed systems, and unit testing.
• Experience architecting secure, scalable, cloud-native applications.
• Strong understanding of application security, performance optimization, resiliency, and operational excellence.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills with the ability to engage both technical and executive audiences.
• Demonstrated leadership, mentoring, and organizational influence.

Nice-to-Have Qualifications

Cloud & Modern Architecture

• Experience implementing cloud-native architectures and platform engineering practices.
• Familiarity with Angular or modern front-end frameworks.
• Experience working in Agile/Scrum environments using Git, Jira, Azure DevOps, or similar tools.

AI & Data Science

• Experience building AI-powered applications using commercial or open-source Large Language Models.
• Hands-on experience developing AI agents, agent orchestration workflows, or enterprise copilots.
• Experience with Microsoft Agent Framework, Semantic Kernel, LangChain, AutoGen, CrewAI, Azure AI Foundry, OpenAI, Anthropic, AWS Bedrock, Google Vertex AI, or similar technologies.
• Experience designing Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) solutions using vector databases.
• Understanding of prompt engineering, model evaluation, model governance, and AI observability.
• Experience training, deploying, and operationalizing machine learning models.
• Familiarity with machine learning frameworks such as TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn, or equivalent technologies.
• Experience integrating machine learning solutions into enterprise applications.

• Leads in the overall design of cross-functional, multi-platform, and Web-based application systems; oversees all application system processes.
• Develops application architecture and blueprints aimed at reflecting enterprise business logic.
• Defines application components, platforms, interfaces, and development tools. Directs mapping activities on specific technology platforms.
• Provides technical guidance to application development teams. Consults on integration and conversion activities.
• Conducts reviews, and analyses organizational needs and goals to develop and implement applications.

PNC Employees take pride in our reputation and to continue building upon that we expect our employees to be:

• Customer Focused - Knowledgeable of the values and practices that align customer needs and satisfaction as primary considerations in all business decisions and able to leverage that information in creating customized customer solutions.
• Managing Risk - Assessing and effectively managing all of the risks associated with their business objectives and activities to ensure they adhere to and support PNC's Enterprise Risk Management Framework.

Qualifications

Successful candidates must demonstrate appropriate knowledge, skills, and abilities for a role. Listed below are skills, competencies, work experience, education, and required certifications/licensures needed to be successful in this position.

Preferred SkillsCompetitive Advantages, Customer Solutions, Design, Enterprise Architecture Framework, Machine Learning (ML), Microsoft .NET Architecture, NET Framework, Python (Programming Language), Risk Assessments, Technical KnowledgeCompetenciesAnalytical Thinking, Application Development Tools, Industry Knowledge, IT Architecture, Platform Architecture, Products and Services, Service Oriented Architecture Technologies, Software Process Improvement (SPI)Work ExperienceRoles at this level typically require a university / college degree. Higher level education such as a Masters degree, PhD, or certifications is desirable. Industry relevant experience is typically 8+ years. Specific certifications are often required. In lieu of a degree, a comparable combination of education, job specific certification(s), and experience (including military service) may be considered.EducationBachelorsCertificationsNo Required Certification(s)LicensesNo Required License(s)Pay TransparencyBase Salary: $112,000.00 - $228,800.00Salaries may vary based on geographic location, market data and on individual skills, experience, and education. This role is incentive eligible with the payment based upon company, business and/or individual performance.Application WindowGenerally, this opening is expected to be posted for two business days from 08/05/2026, although it may be longer with business discretion.BenefitsPNC offers a comprehensive range of benefits to help meet your needs now and in the future. Depending on your eligibility, options for full-time employees include: medical/prescription drug coverage (with a Health Savings Account feature), dental and vision options; employee and spouse/child life insurance; short and long-term disability protection; 401(k) with PNC match, pension and stock purchase plans; dependent care reimbursement account; back-up child/elder care; adoption, surrogacy, and doula reimbursement; educational assistance, including select programs fully paid; a robust wellness program with financial incentives.In addition, PNC generally provides the following paid time off, depending on your eligibility: maternity and/or parental leave; up to 11 paid holidays each year; 9 occasional absence days each year, unless otherwise required by law; between 15 to 25 vacation days each year, depending on career level; and years of service.

To learn more about these and other programs, including benefits for full time and part-time employees, visitpncthrive.com.

Disability Accommodations Statement

If an accommodation is required to participate in the application process, please contact us via email at AccommodationRequest@pnc.com. Please include "accommodation request" in the subject line title and be sure to include your name, the job ID, and your preferred method of contact in the body of the email. Emails not related to accommodation requests will not receive responses. Applicants may also call 877-968-7762 and say "Workday" for accommodation assistance. All information provided will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations.

At PNC we foster an inclusive and accessible workplace. We provide reasonable accommodations to employment applicants and qualified individuals with a disability who need an accommodation to perform the essential functions of their positions.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)

PNC provides equal employment opportunity to qualified persons regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, veteran status, or other categories protected by law.

This position is subject to the requirements of Section 19 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (FDIA) and, for any registered role, the Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008 (SAFE Act) and/or the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), which prohibit the hiring of individuals with certain criminal history.

California Residents

Refer to the California Consumer Privacy Act Privacy Notice to gain understanding of how PNC may use or disclose your personal information in our hiring practices.