Software Architect

Overview

About J.W. Pepper & Sons, Inc.

J.W. Pepper was founded in 1876 and is the world’s largest retailer of sheet music, with a particular focus on the K12 education market, offering over 1.2 million products on our website from over 1,000 suppliers. The company is headquartered in Exton, PA with large distribution facilities in Atlanta, GA and Salt Lake City, UT.

Our Mission 

Pepper primarily serves people who direct music programs in schools, churches and community groups and it’s our goal to thrill them with our service throughout their career.  Our ability to present the highest quality products in formats that meet the needs of our music education customers has become a hallmark of our Editors’ Choice and catalog promotions.

About the Role

We're seeking a Software Architect who thrives at the intersection of strategic design and hands-on development. In this role, you'll shape technical solutions across our organization while staying connected to implementation through fractional development work. You'll translate business requirements into robust architectural designs, guide development teams, and roll up your sleeves to code when projects need your expertise.

Key Responsibilities

Solution Architecture & Design

• Design scalable, maintainable system architectures that align with business objectives and technical strategy.
• Evaluate and recommend technologies, frameworks, and tools for new and existing systems.
• Create technical specifications, architecture diagrams, and documentation that guide development teams.
• Lead architectural reviews and provide guidance on complex technical decisions.
• Collaborate with the Director of System Architecture to establish architectural standards and best practices.
• Assess technical debt and create strategies for modernization and improvement.

Technical Leadership

• Partner with product managers, engineering leads, and stakeholders to translate requirements into technical solutions.
• Mentor development teams on architectural principles, design patterns, and coding standards.
• Conduct code reviews and provide constructive feedback to ensure quality and consistency.
• Serve as a technical advisor for cross-functional projects and initiatives.

Hands-On Development

• Contribute code to critical projects, proof-of-concepts, and complex technical challenges.
• Build prototypes and spikes to validate architectural decisions.
• Step in as a fractional developer on teams that need additional technical capacity.
• Debug and resolve complex technical issues across the stack.

Qualifications

Required

• 5+ years of software development experience with at least 2 years in an architectural or senior technical role.
• Strong proficiency in NodeJS, TypeScript, and Containerization.
• Proven track record of designing and delivering enterprise-scale systems.
• Deep understanding of software design patterns, microservices, APIs, and system integration.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP) and modern development practices.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and strategic thinking.

Preferred

·         Experience with Microsoft Azure and Kubernetes (AKS).

·         Background in eCommerce.

·         Familiarity with enterprise architecture frameworks.

·         Experience with DevOps practices and infrastructure as code.

·         Track record of successful technical leadership in collaborative environments.

Full-Time Positions include:

• Medical / Dental / Vision Benefits
• Paid holidays and vacation following company schedule.
• 401K during enrollment period

J.W. Pepper & Son provides equal employment opportunity for everyone regardless of age, sex, color, race, creed, sexual orientation, national origin, religious persuasion, marital status, veteran status, disability that does not prohibit the performance of essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation, or other classifications protected by applicable federal, state or local law.