Lead Architect – Patching AutomationLocation: Toronto, ONPay Rate: $115/hrContract Length: 6 MonthsWe at Raise are hiring a Lead Architect – Patching Automation for one of our top clients. After establishing themselves as an industry leader, they're now expanding their team to meet rising demand. We're hiring right now; if you're interested, apply below for your chance to join a great place to work.Responsibilities1) Patching Automation Architecture & Playbook DevelopmentDefine the target architecture for enterprise patch automation across server, middleware, database, and application layers.Lead the design and development of Ansible-based playbooks for end-to-end patch orchestration.Provide deep technical leadership on:Ansible Automation ControllerEvent-Driven AutomationJob templates and workflow templatesDynamic inventory design and managementCredential and secrets handlingReusable role/module designOversee the complete patch automation lifecycle, including:Patch scheduling and triggeringPre-checks and dependency validationPatch deployment and orchestrationReboot coordination where requiredPost-patch validation and reportingException handling and rollback considerationsPartner with database and middleware SMEs to incorporate platform-specific checks, dependencies, and maintenance requirements into the automation framework.2) Service Integrations & Event-Driven OperationsArchitect and implement integrations between the patching framework and enterprise platforms using APIs, webhooks, and event-driven mechanisms.Enable seamless workflow integration with tools such as:ServiceNowPagerDutyDynatraceDesign automation triggers based on operational events, change approvals, maintenance windows, incident states, and monitoring alerts.Ensure the patching platform can create, update, and reconcile records across integrated systems for change management, incident management, notifications, and operational visibility.Define integration patterns, data flows, and interface contracts to support reliable and secure interoperability.3) DevSecOps,



GitOps & Release GovernanceEstablish GitOps-based development standards and branching strategies for automation code.Define best practices for:Source controlPeer reviewVersioningCode qualityReusability and modular designLead the design of code promotion pipelines across development, test, staging, and production environments.Embed security, compliance, and auditability into the automation delivery lifecycle.Define observability standards for automation execution, including:MetricsLoggingDashboardsAlertingSuccess/failure analyticsPartner with DevOps and security teams to ensure automation adheres to enterprise controls and policy requirements.4) COTS / 3rd Party Application PatchingDesign and govern a patching approach for Windows and RHEL servers hosting commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) / third-party applications.Define a COTS patching framework that accounts for application dependencies, agent deployment, service restarts, maintenance windows, and validation checkpoints.Architect automation for:Agent installation and upgradeApplication-aware pre-checksPatch execution sequencingPost-patch health validationCompliance and evidence collectionCoordinate with application owners and support teams to ensure vendor-specific patching requirements are addressed.Develop standards for pre- and post-patch verification to minimize operational risk and improve service stability.5) Leadership, Governance & Stakeholder EngagementAct as the technical lead and architecture authority for the patching automation initiative.Drive architecture reviews, design decisions, technical standards, and implementation governance.Collaborate across infrastructure, operations, security, application support, platform engineering, and enterprise architecture teams.Mentor engineers and automation developers on design patterns, coding standards, and platform best practices.Communicate architecture, risks, dependencies,



and roadmap updates to senior stakeholders and program leadership.Required Qualifications10+ years of experience in infrastructure automation, systems engineering, platform engineering, or enterprise architecture roles.5+ years of hands‐on experience designing and implementing enterprise automation solutions using Ansible.Deep expertise with:Ansible Automation ControllerEvent-Driven AutomationPlaybook, role, and template developmentDynamic inventory managementStrong experience with REST APIs, integration architecture, and event-driven automation patterns.Hands‐on knowledge of enterprise service management and operational tools, especially:ServiceNowPagerDutyDynatraceStrong understanding of GitOps, branching strategies, CI/CD, and code promotion models across environments.Experience building observability and reporting capabilities for automation platforms.Solid background in Windows Server and RHEL administration and patching practices.Experience supporting patch automation for third‐party/COTS applications in enterprise environments.Solid understanding of pre‐check, post‐check, validation, rollback, and operational recovery patterns.Proven ability to work across technical domains including infrastructure, middleware, database, security, and operations.Preferred QualificationsExperience in highly regulated or large‐scale enterprise environments.Knowledge of vulnerability remediation and compliance‐driven patching programs.Familiarity with middleware and database patch coordination.Experience with secrets management and secure credential handling in automation platforms.Exposure to enterprise scheduling, orchestration, and CMDB‐driven automation models.Relevant certifications in Ansible, Red Hat, cloud, DevOps, or enterprise architecture.Equal Opportunity StatementWe encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including people from traditionally underrepresented groups such as women, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, people identifying as LGBTQ2SI, veterans, and people with visible/nonvisible disabilities. For accommodations, please visit https://raise.Jobs/accommodations/.#J-18808-Ljbffr

📌 Lead Architect – Patching Automation - $115 An Hour (Toronto)
🏢 Raise
📍 Toronto