Lead Platform Architect

Lead Platform Architect Location: Brussels Employment type: Full-time (hybrid working possible) We are looking for a Lead Platform Architect to help shape the technical foundation of our in-house developed ERP platform. You combine vision, technical depth, and hands-on experience while working within a multidisciplinary team of technical team leads, developers, business analysts, product owners, QA Manager, testers, UI/UX specialists, and service desk staff. You are able to defend and implement client decisions—or decisions based on your own expertise—in a constructive way within the wider team. You work proactively, take on an advisory role, and report directly to the Director of Organization and Development. You are responsible for end-to-end platform architecture, simplify complexity, and inspire a team of 10–15 developers to work according to high-quality standards. Your Impact You define the technical direction of the platform and build a scalable, secure, and sustainable architecture that includes application, integration, and cloud components. You ensure that internal and external parties can contribute in a structured and high-quality manner. You advise the management and project leadership so that strategic decisions are well-founded. Your Responsibilities Platform Architecture & Strategy Design a forward-looking platform architecture, considering both functional and non-functional requirements. Define technology choices, architectural principles, standards, and guidelines. Identify and manage risks, dependencies, performance, and scalability challenges. Evaluate and introduce new technologies, including proof-of-concepts to assess feasibility and impact. Translate functional and non-functional requirements into technical specifications and software designs that meet business needs. Technical Quality & Implementation Ensure security, performance, availability, and maintainability. Design and monitor high-quality integrations between systems, components, and cloud services. Support development teams during implementation, including code reviews and technical coaching. Maintain clear, complete documentation so external partners can contribute efficiently. Evaluate existing technical documentation, supplement it, or produce it if missing. Leadership & Collaboration Provide technical leadership for a team of 10–15 developers; guide, inspire, and manage with a focus on quality. Collaborate with tech leads, developers, analysts, product owners, QA Manager, testers, UI/UX experts, and service desk teams. Proactively advise the Director of Organization and Development with clear reporting on decisions, risks, and impact. Promote knowledge sharing and strengthen a professional, open engineering culture. Your Profile Education & Experience Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Business Engineering, or an equivalent technical master's degree. Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in software development, architecture, and technical leadership roles. Experience in complex enterprise environments is a strong advantage. Additional assets: Azure architecture certifications and DevOps certifications. Technical Expertise Proven experience designing and implementing highly available, scalable cloud solutions for complex environments in large organizations. Deep knowledge of cloud-native architectures, including microservices, containerization, and serverless solutions. Extensive hands-on experience with Microsoft Azure as a cloud platform. Strong technical background in .NET and the broader Microsoft ecosystem. Solid expertise in Docker and managed Kubernetes environments. Experience designing API-driven architectures and applying modern integration patterns such as REST, JSON, and messaging. Strong understanding of application architecture, code structures, and monitoring quality and architectural standards. Plus points: Experience with or knowledge of event-driven architectures (e.g., Marten and event sourcing). Familiarity with GraphQL, PostgreSQL, Elasticsearch, RabbitMQ, and MassTransit. Knowledge of Domain-Driven Design (DDD). Experience with Azure infrastructure management (Infrastructure as Code, governance, security). Affinity with and active interest in open-source ecosystems. Personal Skills Strong strategic and conceptual thinking; can structure complex domains clearly. Excellent communication skills, with impact on technical teams, management, and business stakeholders. Proactive, advisory, and forward-looking in technical decisions. Stress-resistant, mentally strong, and reliable in critical phases. Able to manage multiple initiatives and priorities in parallel without losing oversight. Coaching and inspiring leadership with a pragmatic approach; acts as a trusted advisor and ensures the architectural vision aligns with client goals. What We Offer A key role in a socially relevant platform project. The opportunity to take on a hybrid architecture role with impact across all platform layers. A modern technology stack with space for innovation and architectural influence. A multidisciplinary team with expertise in development, analysis, user experience, testing, and service management. An open, collaborative culture where quality, knowledge sharing, and sustainable solutions are central. Skills Analytic Thinking and Problem Solving: Yes Azure DevOps: Yes Financial Administration: Yes Good Planning Skills: Yes Leadership and Team Coaching: Yes Security & Privacy: Yes Stakeholder Reporting and Communication: Yes