Consumers Energy is Michigan’s largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. Consumers Energy knows job number one is to keep the lights on for customers. We are committed to delivering reliable, clean, and affordable energy to our customers 24/7.  

 

Location: This is a hybrid (virtual/onsite) position with required onsite days on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday assigned to One Energy Plaza located in Jackson, MI.  The selected candidate must be within a commutable distance or willing to relocate (relocation package is available for those that qualify).  

  GENERAL SUMMARY OF JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

 

The Principal Product Architect drives product development by defining the product architecture (i.e. the Functional elements that make up the whole of a larger product/program ) based on captured and new or changing market and technology requirements. The Principal Product Architect ensures that the design is performed with a complete and holistic understanding of a product's market and technical objectives. The Principal Product Architect proactively and holistically supports EA activities that strategically guide business and operating models, people, processes and technology. He/she is responsible for the business to become resilient and future-fit.

  ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES Develops product vision in conjunction with the Product Manager and Product Owner while continuously discovering business needs. Maintains product roadmap and architectural standards that assure product development projects optimally align with business objectives. Provides internal management consultancy services to business leaders, business units and lines of business, helping them with design thinking, business modeling, ecosystem modeling, innovation management, IT investment analysis, and operating model Ensures well-defined business value of product backlog items. Develops business cases/justification for product backlogs. Provides justification for annual/ongoing product funding as required for financial planning and/or regulatory approvals Works with Product Manager & Product Owner in planning and execution of new product releases. Consults business management team to clarify objectives and functional requirements for new or modified products. Leads domain, product management and product development teams to engineer the solution Collaborates with stakeholders to initiate and organize new significant technology investments, or Epics. Defines the Epic, Minimum Viable Product, Lean Business Case with the Product Owner and Product Manager, Engages with Lean Portfolio Management to obtain approval. Leads the Epic implementation architecture Leads & collaborates with agile teams to ensure continuous delivery of business value, as well as to leverage shared technologies, tools, value streams and processes that impact speed to value and time to market. Constructs deliverables that demonstrate how to move the business toward realizing its strategic goals and targeted business outcomes Leads & consults with technical subject matter experts to develop technical solutions. Develops architectural and design principles to improve performance, capacity, and scalability of product. Advises on options, risks, costs versus benefits, and impact on other business processes and system priorities Leads cross-functional teams to develop strategic technology roadmaps for a 3-year horizon to support key business outcomes and strategy. Continuously maintains roadmaps based on changing business conditions and in partnership with IT and business leaders and all levels Leads solution demonstrations with product management teams. Analyzes market segments and customer base to develop market solutions. Defines product requirements that address market opportunities Leads the development and application of standards and minimal viable architectures through the EA governance model, informed by the business strategy and corporate governance. Clarifies accountability and provides tradeoffs for agile, effective and efficient decision making Responsible for product strategy development, including opportunity identification, technology and business cases, and operating model development. Leads and incorporates business innovation portfolio development along with environmental analysis Other duties as assigned or may be necessary   KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES Ability to adapt to rapidly changing technologies and see how they can support business needs Ability to communicate, influence and persuade — both business and IT leaders, as well as peers. Uses the language of business leaders and join the conversation that's taking place Exceptional knowledge in all aspects of designing and constructing business capabilities, value streams, business processes, and organizational structures Ability to analyze project and product needs and determine resources needed to meet objectives and solve problems Comprehensive knowledge of facilitation of projects and products, and organization change management Excellent analytical and conceptual skills; ability to create original concepts and theories for a variety of projects Excellent knowledge and understanding of different types of business and operating models (existing, new, emerging and hybrid) Excellent knowledge of existing, new and emerging technologies and ability to practically apply them to new business designs and business models to achieve targeted business outcomes Organizationally and politically savvy. The Product Architect is typically a consummate diplomat capable of understanding and navigating the personalities, obstacles and politics of the organization   EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE Bachelor's degree in Information Technology or related discipline with seven (7) or more years of relevant experience (OR) Associate’s degree in Information Technology or related discipline with nine (9) or more years of relevant experience (OR) High School Diploma/GED with eleven (11) or more years of relevant experience

 

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE Business architecture, BIZBOK knowledge and/or certification, and Business Capability Modelling Natural gas and/or utility industry experience Experience or affiliation with American Gas Association (AGA) Experience working with SAP ECC, SAP Spatial Asset Management, Work Management solutions, Field Service Management solutions, Esri ArcGIS Utility Network''

Why should you join our team?

At Consumers Energy, we offer more than just a place to work. We foster a culture that supports career development, growth, and stability, and we take pride in offering our co-workers excellent benefits and compensation packages. We are deliberately creating an inclusive culture that makes our diverse team of co-workers feel valued, supported, and empowered every day. We're a company made up of thousands of people, all with different stories to share and work to do, but we stand united in our company purpose: world class performance delivering hometown service.

What we offer:

Competitive compensation packages Medical, Dental and Vision 401k with company match Paid parental leave Up to 13 paid Holidays Paid time off Educational Assistance Program

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: 

We, at CMS Energy, value Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. It is part of our DNA. We treat our employees with respect, we treat each other fairly and we value the opinions of others. We are passionate about building and nurturing an environment where everyone feels included. We don’t discriminate. We seek to learn about each other and better understand our unique differences. Our uniqueness makes us authentic. We create safe spaces where everyone can be who they truly are. We invite difficult conversations and uncomfortable topics. We value diverse perspectives; this is what makes us great together. We harbor an inclusive environment where employees feel empowered to share their backgrounds, experiences, and ideas. Our Employee Resource Groups, Women in Energy (WE), Minority Advisory Panel (MAP), Pride Alliance of Consumers Energy (PACE), GENERGY, capABLE, Interfaith and Veterans Advisory Panel (VAP) are key enablers to living the values of our company culture: Caring, Empowered, Deliberate, Agility, and Ownership.

All qualified applicants will not be discriminated against and will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected veteran status, disability, race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.