Senior Director, Client Technology Architecture

RTI International is an independent, scientific research institute dedicated to improving the human condition. Our vision is to address the world's most critical problems with technical and science-based solutions in pursuit of a better future. Clients rely on us to answer questions that demand an objective and multidisciplinary approach-one that integrates expertise across social, statistical, data, and laboratory sciences, engineering, and other technical disciplines to solve the world's most challenging problems.

We believe in the promise of science and technical solutions, and we push ourselves every day to deliver on that promise for the good of people, communities, and businesses in the US and around the world. If you are looking for the opportunity to make a real difference, RTI is the place for you.

The Senior Director, Client Technology Architecture ensures alignment of technology solutions with client strategies and infrastructure principles, driving cross-product coherence and scalability.

Acting as a strategic partner to the Vice President, Client Technology, this role translates complex client and program requirements into cohesive, scalable, and secure architectures that enable innovation while maintaining institutional consistency. With a focus on standardization, coherence, and innovation, you will transform complex client challenges into modern, cohesive architectures that align with RTI's enterprise strategy.

• Align RTI's digital platforms, infrastructure standards, and client technologies into scalable, tailored solutions that balance enterprise consistency with client-specific needs, while adhering to enterprise architecture, cybersecurity, and data governance requirements.
• Collaborate with product owners, engineering teams, and client technology partners to maintain technical integrity across projects while enabling innovation where essential.
• Lead technical discovery efforts, identifying cross-product dependencies, risks, and integration opportunities to ensure end-to-end delivery.
• Manage and guide internal scrum teams, empowering them to deliver value-aligned solutions efficiently, while coordinating external contractors to meet architectural and strategic goals.
• Serve as the bridge between strategy and execution, providing clear technical direction and aligning business leadership, research teams, IT, and partners to RTI's long-term technology roadmap.
• Oversee vendor and partner technical contributions to ensure alignment with design principles, security expectations, and performance standards.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend innovations that strengthen RTI's digital capabilities while maintaining operational stability.

• Bachelors level degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related field (Master's preferred)
• 15 years of directly related experience.
• Demonstrated experience in solution architecture, enterprise technology, or complex systems delivery, including leadership responsibility across multiple projects or portfolios.
• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing scalable, cloud-enabled, and integrated technology solutions in a consulting, research, or client-service environment.
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional teams and influencing technical direction without direct authority.
• Experience working within regulated or research-driven environments (e.g., public health, life sciences, government, or analytics).
• Experience aligning solution architectures to enterprise standards, security frameworks, and data governance requirements.

Success in this role requires a leader who can seamlessly bridge technical architecture, client strategy, and delivery execution. This includes a strong foundation in modern architectural approaches, such as API-first design, cloud-native services, platform-based solutions, and modular system integration, paired with the ability to integrate multiple technologies into cohesive, end-to-end solutions that directly address client needs. The role demands experience working across complex ecosystems, including coordinating with external partners, vendors, and subcontractors to deliver aligned technical outcomes, as well as contributing to proposal development and articulating compelling, client-facing technical strategies.

Equally important is the ability to operate within Agile or SAFe delivery environments while maintaining appropriate architectural governance, ensuring that speed and innovation do not come at the expense of scalability, security, or enterprise alignment. A successful candidate will bring experience integrating data platforms, analytics environments, and secure research infrastructures, along with a demonstrated ability to build reusable technology frameworks that can be leveraged across diverse client engagements. This role also requires a thoughtful balance between innovation and standardization, advancing forward-looking, AI-enabled and scalable solutions while minimizing unnecessary complexity and promoting enterprise reuse.

Finally, success depends on strong leadership and collaboration skills, including the ability to influence both technical and non-technical stakeholders, foster alignment across cross-functional teams, and lead agile teams toward execution that is tightly aligned with strategic priorities.

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For San Francisco, CA USA Job Postings Only: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Further information is availablehere.

RTI accepts applications to our job openings from candidates with criminal histories or conviction records in accordance with all applicable laws, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

For Applicants in Massachusetts Only:It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

The anticipated pay range for this role is listed below. Our pay ranges represent national averages and may vary by location as a geographic differential may be applied to some locations within the United States. RTI considers multiple factors when making an offer including, for example: established salary range, internal budget, business needs, and education and years of work experience possessed by the applicant. Further, salary is merely one element to our offer.

At RTI, we demonstrate our commitment to rewarding individual and team achievement through a total rewards package. This package includes (among other things) a competitive base salary, a generous paid time off policy, merit based annual increases, bonus opportunities and a robust recognition program. Other benefits include a competitive range of insurance plans (including health, dental, life, and short-term and long-term disability), access to a retirement savings program such as a 401(k) plan, paid parental leave for all parents, financial assistance with adoption expenses or infertility treatments, financial reimbursement for education and developmental opportunities, an employee assistance program, and numerous other offerings to support a healthy work-life balance.