POS Solution Architect
- Abidi Solutions
Job Description
POS Solution Architect
2 interviews
1 year
Role overview:
The Solution Architect is responsible for defining the target-state architecture and POS decoupling strategy as part of a pre-RFP discovery and specification engagement for a large-scale retail gas POS platform. This role focuses on architecture direction, system boundaries, and integration patterns, not detailed solution design or implementation.
The Solution Architect works closely with the Retail POS Lead, Business Analyst, and client subject matter experts to ensure that business requirements, architectural principles, and vendor expectations are aligned. A key responsibility of this role is to prevent future vendor lock-in by defining clear architectural constraints and integration expectations before vendor selection.
Key Responsibilities
Target-State Architecture Definition
Define the target-state solution architecture for a modern, decoupled retail POS ecosystem
Establish architectural principles, standards, and constraints to guide vendor selection
Define system-of-record boundaries and ownership of core business capabilities
Ensure architecture aligns with enterprise technology direction and retail operating needs
POS Decoupling & Integration Strategy
Assess and challenge existing POS assumptions where the POS acts as a primary system of record for downstream platforms.
Define strategies to decouple the POS from internal systems, including loyalty, payments, and adjacent platforms
Recommend integration patterns (API-based, event-driven, middleware) appropriate for a large retail footprint
Identify high-risk coupling and legacy customization patterns to be avoided in the future state
Collaboration with Business & Delivery Roles
Partner with the Retail POS Lead to align architecture with business objectives and vendor realities
Support the Business Analyst by ensuring requirements align to architectural intent
Collaborate with client-provided Integration and Security SMEs to validate feasibility and constraints
Provide architectural input into RFP requirements and evaluation criteria
RFP & Vendor Enablement
Translate architectural principles into clear, vendor-consumable expectations
Define architectural constraints, extensibility requirements, and integration expectations for the RFP
Support vendor evaluation by clarifying architectural fit and trade-offs
Ensure the RFP discourages solutions that reintroduce tight coupling or proprietary dependencies
Risk Identification & Decision Support
Identify architectural risks related to scalability, availability, integration, and vendor lock-in
Clearly communicate trade-offs and recommendations to technical and non-technical stakeholders
Support executive and governance forums with architecture-focused decision input
Required Skills & Experience
Senior experience as a Solution Architect or equivalent role
Experience defining architecture in environments with high integration density and legacy middleware platforms (e.g., ESB-based architectures, mixed PCI / non-PCI domains).
Strong background in integration-heavy environments
Experience defining target-state architectures in complex enterprise contexts
Ability to operate at both conceptual and logical architecture levels
Strong documentation and communication skills
Experience working in discovery, assessment, or early-phase initiatives
Structured, analytical, and pragmatic
Comfortable operating with ambiguity and incomplete information
Able to explain architectural concepts to business stakeholders
Confident challenging assumptions and legacy design decisions
Collaborative and outcome-focused
Preferred Experience
Retail or multi-site distributed systems experience
Exposure to retail POS platforms (fuel, convenience, big-box, or specialty retail)
Experience supporting pre-RFP, vendor selection, or platform replacement initiatives
Familiarity with API-first, event-driven, and middleware-based integration patterns
Experience working alongside enterprise architects or portfolio architecture teams
