Principal Architect

The Opportunity

We are looking for an experienced, capable Enterprise Solution Architect (ESA) who has led architecture initiatives in or around e-commerce or retail. They will be strategically focussed with excellent communication and stakeholder management skills; ideally formally trained in either TOGAF or Zachman frameworks. Coming from an advanced technology and software development background the ESA will work with the business, engineering, product and the wider architecture team to assure ESW strategy and industry best practice is at the heart of our design thinking. Experience across COTS (Custom Off the Shelf) and Build/Engineering approaches is required. Ideally having experience working on global, enterprise level business transformation programs/initiatives.

The right candidate will have a proven experience as a Solution or Domain Architecture working in and around key technology areas like Finance Transformation, Monolith Replacement Initiatives, event-driven architectures, micro-services, domain-driven design and data-driven architectures; ideally across multiple industries including Retail. Having worked with public cloud (Azure or AWS) around concepts like FaaS, PaaS and SaaS whilst having a breadth of high level knowledge on areas like API management, caching in high performance environments and container driven designs with technology like Kubernetes.

We have a mixed approach to delivery pulling on our agile start-up roots whilst implementing SafE to align between traditional roles, delivery and agile principles. The role will ensure that architecture processes are adhered too and work closely aligned to the existing ESW delivery processes, being involved in relevant retros to continually improve these. Reporting to the VP of Architecture the role will assist in making key architecture decisions that will influence the company direction and act as role model and mentor to our partners in engineering and product. The right leader will positively influence stakeholders by demonstrating professionalism, enthusiasm, strong communication and creating collaborative environments for architecture to thrive.

While frequent travel is not expected, there will be required visits to our sites in Dublin and Madrid with potential for very rare travel to other sites such as USA or Singapore.

Responsibilities

• Strong stakeholder management to strongly advise technology decisions towards the enterprise technology strategy. Continually inputting into an evolving technology strategy based on industry and stakeholder inputs.
• Working closely with peers in product to help define technology strategy and roadmaps that align with business strategy whilst balancing client needs to timelines.
• Creating high level designs that clearly articulate strategy and technology steer. Focussing on business architecture, data architecture, standards, impact assessments, business cases, high level implementation plans and NFRs.
• Collaborating with business strategy, product, sales and wider parts of technology such as Business Systems, IT Operations and Engineering to ensure shared understanding for complex and significant architectures; whilst identifying key architecture decisions and calling out technical and architectural debt.
• Balancing breadth and depth of experience across ESW’s domains.
• Ensure the right guardrails (principles, policies, standards and NFRs) are continually updated, understood and implemented across ESW.
• Be a positive mentor to the wider technology, business, and product teams.

Requirements

• Risk Management in a Technology based setting.
• Stakeholder management across key areas such as: Engineering, Security, Business, Finance.
• Architectural experience of native and non-native cloud services for either Azure or AWS including: Kubernetes, CosmosDB.
• Experience using one or more: OMS, Stock Management, Payments, Pricing, Finance (from an e-commerce perspective).
• Understanding and able to present differences between conceptual, logical and physical architectures to a range of stakeholders from Engineering Managers to Execs.
• Intellectual curiosity, learning agility, and passion for tackling tough problems.
• Outstanding communication skills required - primarily the ability to communicate ideas.
• Deep Problem solving – the ability to analyse a business or technical problem and select the most appropriate solutions.
• Understanding of risk in designs and mitigation strategies.
• Experience of retail industry would be a significant advantage.

About ESW

Our purpose is simple: to create moments that matter between people and the brands they cherish. We enable brands to expand their global reach, facilitating simple and seamless ecommerce experiences for consumers worldwide. Through our integration solutions, we deliver a complete international checkout experience, including local duties, taxes, fulfilment, delivery management, and global returns and payment processing capabilities.

Guided by our values—Own It, Champion Simplicity, Win as One, and Debate then Commit—we strive to foster innovation, accountability, and teamwork, creating solutions that inspire trust and drive impactful results.

Why join us?

• Competitive salary and benefits: Your financial well being is important to us. Join ESW and experience the satisfaction of being rewarded for your hard work, dedication and commitment.
• Professional and personal development: Find your spark and leave your mark. We will ensure your talent is nurtured and cultivated for growth and success throughout your career with ESW.
• Hybrid Working: Our Hybrid Working Model empowers you to embrace the flexibility of hybrid working and enjoy the best of office and remote work.
• Diversity, Belonging & Inclusion: When we win, we win together. You'll be part of a culture that values every individual for who they are, fostering an environment where uniqueness is encouraged.

ESW is an equal opportunity employer, and we’re proud of our ongoing efforts to foster diversity, equity, & inclusion in the workplace. Individuals seeking employment and employees at ESW are considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, medical condition, ancestry, disability, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

If you require any reasonable accommodations or adjustments throughout the hiring process, please let us know. We are dedicated to ensuring equal access and opportunity for all candidates.

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