Lead Architect (Hands-On, AI-Driven Engineering)

The Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) is the statewide professional association for physicians and medical students, supporting 25,000 members. We are dedicated to educating and advocating for the physicians of Massachusetts and patients locally and nationally. A leadership voice in health care, the MMS contributes physician and patient perspectives to influence health-related legislation at the state and federal levels, works in support of public health, provides expert advice on physician practice management, and addresses issues of physician well-being. Under the auspices of NEJM Group, the MMS extends our mission globally by advancing medical knowledge from research to patient care through the New England Journal of Medicine, NEJM Evidence, NEJM AI, NEJM Catalyst, NEJM Clinician, and through our accredited and comprehensive continuing medical education programs.

The world has changed, and so has the way we work. The MMS has adopted a flexible work model that allows most employees to choose where they work - at home, onsite in our Waltham office, or a combination of the two - based on their preferences and our business needs. Because what matters is the work we do, not where we do it.

We are seeking a hands-on Lead Architect to drive the next generation of our digital platforms and engineering practices. This role is ideal for a technical leader who not only defines architecture but also actively participates in design, prototyping, and implementation. You will spearhead the integration of AI technologies into software engineering, modernize our architecture, and help build high-performing engineering teams using an optimal mix of full-time and contract talent. This is a high-impact role where you will shape both the technology strategy and the way software is built.

WHY JOIN US?

• Opportunity to shape the future of a leading digital media organization
• Work on meaningful products that impact a global audience
• Lead the adoption of cutting-edge AI technologies in engineering
• Collaborate with a talented and mission-driven team

Responsibilities:

Hands-On Architecture & Engineering

• Design and implement scalable, cloud-native architectures for digital products and platforms
• Actively contribute to code, prototypes, and technical problem-solving
• Define and build reference architectures using microservices, APIs, and event-driven systems
• Lead architectural decisions while staying deeply engaged in delivery

AI-Driven Engineering

• Lead adoption of AI tools and technologies across the software development lifecycle, including:




• AI-assisted coding and testing
• Intelligent automation and workflows
• Personalization and recommendation systems




• Identify practical applications of AI to improve engineering productivity and product capabilities
• Establish best practices for responsible, secure, and effective use of AI

Team & Workforce Optimization

• Help define and evolve a high-performing engineering organization
• Balance full-time engineers and contract resources to optimize delivery, cost, and access to specialized skills
• Identify required skill sets (e.g., AI/ML, cloud, data engineering) and help guide hiring and staffing decisions
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineers and architects

Collaboration & Delivery

• Partner with product managers and stakeholders to translate business needs into technical solutions
• Communicate architecture and technical decisions clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Drive execution across multiple initiatives while maintaining high engineering standards

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• 7+ years of experience in software engineering and architecture
• Demonstrated experience delivering complex, high-availability systems
• Experience leading multiple concurrent initiatives and cross-functional teams
• Strong hands-on experience building and delivering modern software systems
• Proven ability to lead architecture while actively contributing to implementation processes
• Experience with AI/ML technologies and integrating them into real-world applications
• Deep knowledge of cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP)
• Expertise in microservices, APIs, containers (Docker/Kubernetes), and DevOps/CI-CD
• Strong understanding of system design, scalability, and performance
• Experience working in agile, DevOps-oriented environments
• Experience in digital media, publishing, or content platforms is a plus

Compensation:

The target base pay for this role is $220,000+. Salary is commensurate with skills, qualifications, and experience.

Benefits:

Our generous benefits offerings include: 3 weeks of paid vacation, 6 personal days, 12 sick days, 13 paid holidays, medical and dental plans, 401(k) plans with company match, backup childcare assistance, tuition assistance and more!

The MMS has earned praise as one of the Top Places to Work in Massachusetts by The Boston Globe for the past 15 years in a row! The Globe surveys employees regarding their opinions about company leadership, benefits, ethics, values and culture, and recognizes those companies who receive high marks from their employees.

The MMS is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to providing opportunities to veterans and people with disabilities and a work environment that is welcoming to all.