Principal Software Architect

Job Number: J1225-0884 Job Title: Principal Software Architect Job Category: Information Technology & Innovation (ICT, Support, Systems, Data & Insight) Job Type: Permanent Full Time Date Posted: December 19, 2025 Closing Date: January 19, 2026 Number of Positions: 1
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Shannex is a family-owned organization with a vision of Better Living for every stage of life. Since 1988, Shannex has grown from a single nursing home in Cape Breton to a trusted partner across healthcare, hospitality, and lifestyle sectors. With locations in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Ontario, Shannex continues to build communities designed for connection, wellbeing, and longevity. Shannex-owned brands include Allbright Life, Parkland Retirement Living & Lifestyle Residences, Parkland at Home, Faubourg du Mascaret, and Shannex Enhanced Care. Shannex also delivers Transitional Health Services in partnership with Nova Scotia Health.

As Shannex navigates a period of significant growth and transformation, spanning 60+ locations, eight brands, nine websites, and more than 35 systems, this is a unique opportunity to help shape the organization's long-term digital ecosystem and technical direction.

What You'll Be Doing

As the Principal Software Architect, this role serves as a senior technical leader responsible for shaping and evolving the software architecture that underpins Shannex's digital platforms and services. This position will lead the greenfield development of a critical business application, setting architectural direction from the ground up while ensuring alignment with enterprise strategy, user needs, and long-term scalability.

In this highly visible role, you will guide architectural decisions, influence digital investment priorities, and partner closely with executive stakeholders to ensure solutions are secure, scalable, and deliver meaningful business value.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Owning and evolving the overall software architecture, ensuring solutions meet current needs while supporting future growth and innovation.
• Leading the greenfield design and delivery of a core business application, establishing standards, patterns, and best practices from inception.
• Acting as a senior technical authority, providing architectural guidance across multiple initiatives and delivery teams.
• Designing scalable, API-driven integrations and custom applications that enable seamless, personalized digital experiences.
• Partnering with internal teams and technology vendors to evaluate, select, and integrate platforms and services.
• Defining and influencing the digital and technical roadmap, informed by data, user research, and customer experience goals.
• Presenting architectural approaches and solution options to senior and executive stakeholders, building alignment and confidence in technical direction and investment decisions.
• Assessing emerging technologies and guiding modernization, build-versus-buy, and platform investment decisions.
• Establishing architectural standards, principles, and governance to ensure secure, maintainable, and high-quality solutions.
• Providing hands-on technical leadership and mentorship to engineering teams across the organization.

About you

In addition to a strong commitment to collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement, the ideal candidate brings:

• Degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems, or equivalent practical experience.
• 8+ years of experience in software engineering, with demonstrated ownership of complex system and solution architectures.
• Proven experience designing and delivering cloud-native, scalable, and secure platforms in modern digital environments.
• Deep expertise in software architecture patterns, system integration, and end-to-end product delivery.
• Strong hands-on background with modern development frameworks and cloud platforms, with the ability to go deep where it matters.
• Experience leading or influencing large-scale digital transformation or modernization initiatives.
• Strong understanding of data integration, APIs, and distributed systems.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate architectural decisions clearly, gain alignment, and respond confidently to questions from senior leaders and non-technical stakeholders.
• Commitment to accessibility, security, and high-quality digital experiences.
• Experience mentoring senior engineers and influencing technical direction across teams.

Why Shannex

Shannex offers a people-first culture grounded in purpose, innovation, and long-term impact. Team members benefit from a comprehensive and competitive total rewards package, including:

• Comprehensive health, vision, and dental benefits, including an Employee and Family Assistance Program.
• Life, travel, and other insurance coverage.
• 24/7 virtual healthcare access at no cost.
• RRSP program with 5% employer matching.
• Vacation accrual beginning immediately and travel insurance.
• Free on-site parking.
• Access to the WorkPerks program with discounts across retail, fitness, travel, entertainment, and more.
• Ongoing learning through Shannex's Centre of Excellence.
• Opportunities to contribute to sector innovation and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Recognition and rewards programs focused on service excellence and safety.