About Company
Target Corporation is a leading general merchandise retailer with a rich history of innovation, consistently evolving to meet the needs of its guests. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Target operates stores nationwide and maintains a robust digital presence that drives its strategic growth. We are more than just a retailer; we are a data-driven, technology-forward company committed to creating seamless, convenient, and inspiring shopping experiences. Our technology teams are at the forefront of this mission, leveraging cutting-edge solutions in e-commerce, supply chain, guest personalization, and store operations. At Target, you’ll be part of a dynamic, collaborative environment where your contributions directly impact millions of guests and help shape the future of retail. We believe in fostering a culture of continuous learning, diversity, and inclusion, empowering our team members to achieve their full potential while making a tangible difference.
Job Description
Target Corporation is actively seeking an accomplished and visionary Lead Software Architect to join our highly innovative technology team in Minneapolis. In this pivotal and high-impact role, you will be instrumental in defining, designing, and evolving the architectural foundations for our next generation of retail technology solutions. This encompasses a broad spectrum of systems, from cutting-edge guest-facing digital platforms and robust e-commerce engines to complex back-end logistics, supply chain optimization, and data intelligence infrastructures. You will be at the forefront of driving architectural initiatives, ensuring that all solutions are built for exceptional scalability, unwavering reliability, stringent security, and optimal performance across our vast enterprise. This is an exceptional opportunity to not only define technical strategies but also to actively mentor and elevate engineering teams, championing the adoption of industry best practices and strategically integrating emerging technologies that will shape Target’s future. The ideal candidate possesses a deep and comprehensive understanding of enterprise-level architecture, a proven track record of successfully delivering robust, high-volume software solutions, and an unyielding passion for continuous improvement and innovation. You will operate as a key technical leader, collaborating closely with product management, engineering leads, and senior stakeholders to meticulously translate intricate business requirements into elegant, efficient, and forward-thinking technical designs. Your architectural expertise and strategic insights will directly guide critical technical decisions, proactively mitigate potential risks, and foster a pervasive culture of architectural excellence within our dynamic and fast-paced environment. Join us and make a tangible impact on millions of guests daily, helping to redefine the retail experience.
Key Responsibilities
- Define and drive the architectural vision and strategy for critical software systems, aligning with business goals and technology roadmaps.
- Lead the design and implementation of highly scalable, resilient, and secure microservices architectures, cloud-native applications, and data platforms.
- Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineering teams, fostering best practices in software design, development, and deployment.
- Conduct architectural reviews, evaluate existing systems, and recommend improvements for performance, scalability, and maintainability.
- Evaluate and introduce new technologies, frameworks, and tools that enhance our development capabilities and product offerings.
- Collaborate with product managers, engineering managers, and other architects to translate complex business requirements into clear, actionable technical specifications.
- Ensure architectural decisions adhere to security standards, compliance regulations, and enterprise architectural guidelines.
- Document architectural designs, patterns, and decisions effectively for broader team understanding and future reference.
- Drive innovation and promote a culture of technical excellence and continuous learning within the organization.
Required Skills
- Minimum 8 years of progressive experience in software engineering, with at least 3 years in a Lead Architect or Principal Engineer role.
- Expertise in designing and implementing large-scale, distributed systems and microservices architectures.
- Profound understanding of cloud platforms (GCP preferred, AWS/Azure also considered) and cloud-native application development.
- Strong proficiency in multiple programming languages such as Java, Python, Go, or Node.js.
- Experience with containerization and orchestration technologies (Docker, Kubernetes).
- Solid grasp of database technologies (SQL and NoSQL) and data modeling.
- Demonstrated ability to lead architectural discussions and influence technical direction across multiple teams.
- Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field.
- Experience with event-driven architectures, Kafka, or other messaging queues.
- Familiarity with DevOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, and infrastructure as code (Terraform, Ansible).
- Knowledge of front-end architecture principles and modern JavaScript frameworks (React, Angular, Vue).
- Experience in the retail or e-commerce industry.
- Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect certification or equivalent.
Perks & Benefits
- Competitive salary and performance-based bonuses.
- Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance.
- 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
- Paid time off, including holidays and vacation.
- Generous parental leave and family support programs.
- Tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities.
- Employee discount at Target stores and Target.com.
- On-site fitness centers, wellness programs, and employee assistance programs.
- Collaborative and inclusive work environment with opportunities for career growth.
How to Apply
Interested candidates are invited to submit their detailed resume and cover letter through our official careers portal. Please highlight your experience in designing and leading large-scale software architectures. We look forward to reviewing your application! Click on the link below to apply for the job.