Chief Architect

About the role

Nexthink is seeking a Chief Architect to take charge of the architectural vision for the Nexthink Platform. This pivotal role is hands-on and influential, directly reporting to the Chief Technology Officer (CTO). The Chief Architect will be responsible for establishing the technical direction, making critical decisions, and integrating AI, cloud, and data architecture across the product. This position involves leading a team of six senior architects located throughout Europe and collaborating closely with Engineering, Product, and Executive leadership to guide the evolution of Nexthink's platform.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Develop and implement a comprehensive architecture roadmap for Nexthink, focusing on scalability, resilience, AI integration, and platform advancement.
• Actively contribute to the architecture by personally overseeing specific domains and guiding them through to production.
• Collaborate with Product and Engineering leaders to ensure that architectural choices align with the product roadmap and overall business goals.
• Build and nurture a cohesive, high-performing architecture team comprised of senior individual contributors, fostering shared practices and a culture of technical excellence.
• Clearly articulate the architectural vision to both technical and non-technical stakeholders, including senior executives like the CEO and CPO.
• Assess emerging technologies, particularly in AI and machine learning, to make informed decisions about their integration into the platform.
• Serve as a technical authority within the organization, providing guidance to engineering teams on design decisions, patterns, and trade-offs.
• Foster strong relationships across the organization, ensuring effective communication and collaboration among teams.

Requirements

• A minimum of 10 years of hands-on experience in software architecture within product-driven engineering environments.
• Demonstrated success in designing and deploying large-scale, high-performance, cloud-native platforms in production settings.
• Extensive knowledge of cloud-native architecture, including microservices, distributed systems, and high-volume data pipelines; experience with AWS, Azure, or GCP is preferred.
• Recent experience with AI and Machine Learning, either through direct implementation or by influencing architectural direction in the last two years.
• Background in high-growth SaaS or product companies, with a solid understanding of the challenges of shipping, scaling, and iterating under real-world constraints.
• Experience in leadership roles such as Director, Senior Director, or VP, or as a Staff/Principal Architect with similar responsibilities.

Nice to have

• Familiarity with agile methodologies and practices.
• Experience in mentoring and developing junior architects and engineers.
• Knowledge of DevOps practices and tools.
• Previous involvement in open-source projects or contributions to the tech community.

Skills & tools

• Proficiency in cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Strong understanding of microservices architecture and distributed systems.
• Familiarity with AI and machine learning frameworks.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.

Practical notes

This position is based in Lausanne, Switzerland. Candidates should either be local or willing to relocate, as Nexthink offers relocation support. The company has a significant presence in the Lausanne area and has successfully welcomed employees from various locations, including Zurich and other parts of Europe.

Nexthink is a leader in the digital employee experience (DEX) management software sector, providing IT teams with comprehensive visibility across their enterprises. With innovative solutions that combine real-time analytics, automation, and employee feedback, Nexthink empowers IT teams to tackle complex challenges, enhance workplace productivity, and ensure employee satisfaction in the digital realm.

With a workforce of over 1,000 employees across five continents, Nexthink operates as a unified team, fostering collaboration and innovation. The company prides itself on its diverse workforce, which includes over 75 nationalities, promoting an inclusive and equitable environment.

If you are seeking a dynamic work atmosphere filled with challenges and opportunities for growth, this role could be an excellent fit for you!

• Permanent contract with a competitive salary package.
• A modern office conveniently located near the Prilly-Malley train station.
• Flexible hours and unlimited vacation, in addition to 25 paid holidays and three company-sponsored volunteer days.
• Access to an on-site fitness center.
• Reimbursement for half-fare public transportation cards.
• Up to 50% reimbursement for French language classes.
• Complimentary refreshments, including fresh fruit and snacks.
• Regular company and team events, such as team-building activities and meetups.
• Referral bonuses for successful hires after three months of continuous employment.
• Relocation assistance for candidates moving from abroad.

Nexthink is at the forefront of transforming digital employee experiences, enabling IT leaders to proactively address issues before they impact employees. With over 20 years of innovation, Nexthink is now embarking on an exciting journey to become an AI-native company, making the architectural decisions of today crucial for the future. Join us in shaping the next chapter of our story!