APPLICATION ARCHITECT

TDS' reliable, high quality products and responsive customer service don't just happen by accident. They happen as a result of the creativity, dedication, talent, and professionalism of every member of our TDS team. Every day, TDS' 2,700+ employees dedicate themselves to exceeding customer expectations and earning customer loyalty. 'Delighting Customers' are not buzzwords at TDS; they're part of our company's mission.Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. [AMEX: TDS, TDS.S], the parent company of TDS Telecommunications Corp., earned a ranking of 478 on the 2008 Fortune 500® list of the nation's largest corporations. The company was also ranked at number 12 on Fortune's list of the 50 fastest growing companies according to one-year profit growth.Employment at TDS is subject to post offer, pre-employment drug testing. EEO/AAP Employer Are you an experienced Integration Specialist or Java Engineer looking to take the next step in your career? Are you already established as an Architect and ready to take on new challenges with a diverse team that is driven to succeed? This exciting position will give you the opportunity to work with a variety of current and emerging tools and technologies. The initial focus will require experience in SOA related technologies/concepts and in Java/Linux. Successful candidate will partner with the current Application Architects (2) to learn new technologies, enhance skills and share knowledge and expertise.Primary Responsibilities : Work on IS initiatives to determine the correct technical infrastructure/architecture. Consult with IS development teams on the implementation of new and existing standards, technologies, tools, services and practices for software development. Assist with the codification of design templates, standards, and methods for best-in-class software development.As an Architect, you will have broad responsibility for application architecture within a software development discipline. You will consult on the delivery of software products and ensure that software products for TDS Telecom are built correctly using the best technologies and approaches appropriate to our business and computing environment. This requires working across multiple project teams to ensure the best overall approach and use.You must have advanced/expert level technical skills in multiple areas and be skilled in inferring technology requirements implicit in generalized application needs, identifying development patterns, taking a holistic view of a business process that crosses multiple applications and recommend opportunities for reuse, service creation, or process simplification.This dynamic and challenging position also offers the opportunity to: Help to establish the direction for implementing a Service Oriented Architecture (SOA). Work on IS initiatives to create software designs and new services that will successfully employ the technologies and design patterns that ensure high levels of software re-use and the migration towards a service-oriented architecture (SOA). Work with Data Architects to help establish a Master Data Management (MDM) plan. Lead research initiatives to evaluate new technologies that fill current architectural gaps or future architecture needs at TDS. Assist with the development and maintenance of a common object library (COL) of reusable objects, components, and application services as a resource for all software development activities within IS. Assist with the definition of technical standards and guidelines governing when and how to use various software development tools and technologies that align with TDS Telecom's Strategic Plans (IS Blueprint). Work with TDS Forum for Architecture, Standards, and Technology (FAST) members and Management to define the technology architecture for new applications and transitions plans for existing legacy applications. Survey vendors, user groups, consortiums, and other commercial enterprises to understand trends in software development tools, technologies, and methods. Participate in vendor evaluation and selection to ensure that TDS standards are supported by the selected products. Review software designs to ensure the successful adoption of technologies and application of design patterns to accomplish our goals for high levels of software re-use and the migration toward a service-oriented architecture. Required Qualifications: Two-year degree or higher in information systems technology -OR- 2+ years equivalent professional IT experience 7+ years of systems development, and/or IS Architecture experience, including 5+ years of technical leadership experience in a complex process environment. 1+ years experience performing Application Architect duties. 5+ years experience with appropriate information technologies (Unix, Windows, RDBMS, Integration Services, .NET, SOAP, JAVA/J2EE, etc.)Other Qualifications: Advanced and relevant education may substitute for some systems development/IS Architect experience requirements. Strong written and oral communications skills, including the ability to communicate at very senior levels within the business organization. Strong technical experience, database analysis and design experience, and creative skills. Solid working knowledge of data modeling, database languages, Relational Databases Management Systems (RDBMS), Operating systems, integration brokers and application integration. Experience modeling complex business processes and translating them into understandable IT constructs. Experience working with Open Source software and Open Source Communities and Committees/Projects. Strong critical thinking skills, including the ability to abstract and see patterns, and the ability to generate and evaluate multiple alternatives as a part of complex decision-making process. Strong ability to develop, document, and communicate application architecture models in tools such as Visio Enterprise Architect or the Rational suite of tools. Recent and strong application development skills in an object-oriented environment such as Microsoft .NET or JAVA/J2EE. Experience working in a service oriented Architecture with knowledge of Web Services, Web Standards, and other application integration tools and practices. Experience introducing new tools, methodologies, and practices to development teams in a way that ensures successful buy-in and adoption.Benefits:As a part of your total compensation, TDS provides a comprehensive, competitive benefit package. The benefit plans address both the immediate and long term needs that you and your family may have. Here is a sample of what we have to offer for full-time employees.Insurance: Medical, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance ' Eligible ImmediatelyPaid Time Off: Vacation, Personal Time, Sick Time, and HolidaysInvestments: 401K ' Eligible Immediately, Pension, Employee Stock Plan, and Flexible Spending AccountsAdditional Benefits: Education Assistance, Telephone and Internet Concessions, and Personal Computer Purchase ProgramKEY WORDS:Java, J2EE, C#, .NET, C/C++, software design, web applications, open source, Linux, RedHat, Jboss, Eclipse, Hibernate, JPA, Struts, JSF, PL/SQL, DBI, MySQL, Postgres, Oracle, Solaris, Windows, SMTP, POP, Internet protocols (HTTP, TCP/IP, LDAP, SSL, DNS), PERL, PHP, networks, multiprocessing, threading, distributed systems, high availability, technical lead, team lead, lead developer, senior analyst, SDLC, TOGAF, Zachman, SOA, service oriented architecture, governance, SaaS, framework, patterns & practices, services, web services, WSE, solution architect, software architect Employment at TDS is subject to post offer, pre-employment drug testing. TDS is an EEO/AAP Employer.