Job Summary
The Principal Architect (Marketing and Retailer Systems) is a senior technical leader responsible for defining and advancing enterprise application architecture strategy. With a focus on application design, integration, scalability, and security, this role plays a critical part in shaping how systems are structured, connected, and evolve across the organization.
Serving as a trusted authority on enterprise application practices, the Principal Architect establishes standards for application interoperability, performance, and lifecycle management, while driving innovation in modern application architectures. Operating as a core member of a broader team of Principal Architects, this role collaborates closely with peers to align on standards, exchange best practices, and collectively drive a cohesive, enterprise-wide architectural vision. Recognized as an expert both internally and externally, this role sets the direction for scalable, secure, and business-aligned application ecosystems that support most impactful initiatives.

Primary Responsibilities
Enterprise-Wide Architectural Leadership (20%)

Define and evolve the enterprise application architecture across key domains, including application platforms, cloud platforms, integration, security, and operational services, ensuring cohesive and scalable end-to-end solutions across hybrid and multi-cloud environments.
Act as the lead architect for enterprise initiatives and programs, aligning strategy and investments with long-term business and operational objectives.
Drive the integration and accessibility of systems across on-prem and cloud platforms to enable reliable, high-performing, and future-ready application capabilities.

Vision and Strategy Development (15%)

Shape enterprise strategy with a 3–5-year horizon, aligning platforms, cloud adoption strategies, integration patterns, and architectural standards with evolving business priorities and emerging trends.
Identify and champion innovative initiatives that drive transformational value and position to lead in delivering modern, cloud-enabled, scalable solutions.
Lead the development of application architecture contributions to enterprise strategic planning, ensuring applications are treated as core enablers of business capability and growth.

Innovation and Influence (15%)

Drive innovative solutions that enhance scalability, performance, and business agility, leveraging cloud-native capabilities and modern architectures to create sustained strategic advantage.
Elevate enterprise architecture capabilities by promoting best practices in system design, cloud adoption, integration, reliability, and security, while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and engineering excellence.
Extend influence beyond the organization by contributing to the broader architecture and technology community through thought leadership, publications, and participation in industry forums.

Solution Design and Problem Solving (20%)

Independently address complex enterprise architecture and integration challenges, including those involving emerging technologies and evolving architectural patterns.
Design and implement enterprise-scale solutions that span multiple systems and platforms, ensuring seamless integration and interoperability across the technology landscape.
Ensure all solution designs prioritize scalability, resilience, performance, and long-term sustainability to support evolving business needs and strategic objectives.

Communication and Leadership (15%)

Clearly articulate complex enterprise application concepts, architecture, and strategy to a wide range of audiences, including executives, business stakeholders, and technical teams.
Collaborate closely with peer architects to align on enterprise standards, share insights, and ensure a cohesive, cross-domain architectural approach.
Develop and deliver architecture documentation, standards, and roadmaps that effectively communicate direction to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Provide leadership, coaching, and mentorship to teams across IT, promoting best practices in solution design, integrations, and engineering excellence.

External Engagement and Advocacy (15%)

Represent in architecture, application, and technology conferences, panels, and industry forums to elevate the organization''s leadership in enterprise architecture.
Build and maintain strong relationships with peers, technology partners, and academic institutions to bring emerging architectural patterns, platforms, and innovations.
Strengthen reputation as a leader in enterprise architecture and solution delivery to attract top-tier architecture and engineering talent.

Skills
Enterprise Solution Architecture Expertise

Demonstrates deep, authoritative knowledge across enterprise application and technology domains with a proven ability to design and integrate complex, cross-functional solutions.
Strong expertise in cloud platforms (most importantly AWS), including application platforms, integration services, APIs, security, observability, and AI/ML capabilities.
Deep experience with architectural patterns such as microservices, event-driven architectures, API-first design, domain-driven design, and distributed systems, along with application lifecycle management, service orchestration, and platform engineering.
Applies a security-first approach by embedding protection, identity, and governance controls into solution designs.
Ensures emerging technologies such as AI and agentic workflows are security integrated, governed, and aligned with enterprise standards.
Proven track record in establishing architecture standards, governance frameworks, and reusable patterns that promote consistency, scalability, and effective solution delivery across the enterprise.

Strategic and Conceptual Thinking

Anticipates emerging trends in enterprise technology, cloud and software engineering, and translates them into actionable enterprise architecture strategies.
Demonstrates the ability to conceive and lead initiatives that transform how systems are designed, integrated, and delivered to enable business capabilities and modernize technology platforms.

Enterprise Solution Strategy Development

Demonstrates the ability to design and implement comprehensive solution strategies that support diverse use cases, including digital applications, transactional systems, and integration services.
Ensures each solution approach is backed by appropriate architecture, technologies, and governance to enable scalable, resilient, and secure system interactions across the enterprise.
Aligns application capabilities with business priorities to support reliable, high-performing systems that drive operational and customer-facing outcomes.

Security, Risk, and Compliance Proficiency

Demonstrates knowledge of security and compliance requirements, workflows, and strategies for protecting applications and systems, including identity and access management, encryption, secure coding practices, and threat mitigation.
Supports and enforces enterprise security policies and risk management practices across solution architectures.

Hands-On Technical Proficiency

Maintains the ability to work hands-on when needed, leveraging modern programming languages, frameworks, and cloud services to support investigation, proof-of-concept (POC) development, and rapid prototyping.
Capable of diving into code and system configurations to validate architectural decisions, troubleshoot complex system challenges, and accelerate innovation.

Communication and Influence

Demonstrates mastery in written and verbal communication skills, engaging effectively with both senior leadership and technical teams.
Skilled in collaborating with a broader community of architects across domains to align on architectural direction, share best practices, and drive cohesive enterprise outcomes.
Comfortable advocating for architectural change and influencing stakeholders across organizational boundaries.

Leadership Through Networks

Demonstrates leadership in matrixed environments with the ability to lead through influence rather than direct authority.
Experience forming and leading communities of practice or cross-functional architecture working groups.

Innovation and Industry Engagement

Recognized leader in enterprise solution architecture, with external visibility through thought leadership, speaking engagements, and contributions to the broader technology and architecture community.
Demonstrates a strong passion for advancing modern application architectures and applying them in innovative ways to transform how systems are built and operated.

Business and Competitive Insights

Demonstrates a deep understanding of business operations and how technology solutions enable competitive advantage.
Ability to incorporate industry trends, benchmarking, and technology insights into enterprise architecture, ensuring strategies and solutions that enhance business outcomes and inform strategic decision-making.

Education

Bachelor''s Degree in a related field of study – Required Or
H.S. Diploma and equivalent experience in lieu of degree – Required

Work Experience

At least 12-15 years of relevant and progressive work experience – Required

Principal Architect, Marketing and Retailer Systems

Quick Overview

Job Description

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