Solutions Architect (APIs & Microservices) (Toronto)

Requirement Summary

• Job Role/Title: Solutions Architect
• Anticipated Start Date: 3 weeks from job offer
• Job Type: Contract Opportunity. Initial contract for 6 months, with positive possibilities of further extensions.
• Potential convert to permanent: Yes; potential to convert to a permanent position after the initial contract (preferring candidates who would be interested in a full-time role).
• Job Location: Toronto, ON / London, ON / Winnipeg, MB
• Work Style: Hybrid Work – 3 days per week in the office preferred.
• Work Hours: 37.5 hours/week, typically Monday‑Friday 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
• Contractor to work extra time or be on‑call: Yes, may require support overtime as needed. Extra hours will be required to support implementations and go‑live dates.
• Rate Cap: $95 – $110/Hr. (on Incorp). The final compensation will be negotiated between the contractor and recruiter based on experience and engagement terms.
• Interview: Teams interviews; 2 interviews
• NOTE: Successful personnel must have an active Reliability Security Clearance
• Consultant must be a resident of Canada for a minimum of 5 years to be eligible to apply for the Reliability Status Secret Security Clearance.

Position Overview

We are looking for a Solutions Architect to join our API Delivery team. We build and own integration solutions that directly support our Workplace Solutions, Individual Customer, or Advisory Network Business Units. Reporting to the Director, Technical Solutions, the successful talent will put the customer at the centre of everything they do by driving business outcomes and demonstrating this in their work and interactions.

What you will do

• Develop strategies and roadmaps to enable timely BU delivery, balanced with Enterprise Architecture Integration patterns
• Own architectural decisions to lead the technical vision and design for the integration solution, which powers customer and business outcomes
• Develop and maintain solution architecture with detailed solution design views for the team.
• Support technology discovery (early‑stage assessments, POCs) in support of BU strategy
• Assess all risks and offer mitigation strategies, communicating impacts with an overarching view in mind
• Apply a challenger mindset to assess and validate business requirements, assumptions, and solution options
• As a trusted advisor, provide architectural expertise and domain knowledge to advise and guide stakeholders and partners
• Provide ongoing coaching and mentorship for our development team
• Foster a high‑performance culture and add to Canada Life’s employee promise.

Required Qualifications / Skillset for this Role

• AWS experience in an API/Microservice environment
• Bachelor’s degree in computer science and/or Software Engineering, or equivalent experience
• 5-7 years of multi-disciplinary experience in a large, complex organization (financial services preferred)
• Experience working and delivering within an agile team
• Expert knowledge of API integration patterns and authentication methods
• Skilled at building and maintaining collaborative stakeholder relationships across multiple geographies and business functions
• Exceptional communication skills to convey high-level concepts, solutions, and outcomes with both technology and business teams (technology translator)
• An initiative‑taker who can operate comfortably in ambiguity.
• Drive to seek simplicity and are not afraid to challenge technical constraints to utilize an iterative and agile approach.