Lead Platform Architect - Airline Operations

easyJet; Luton; Hybrid; GBP 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Pension scheme

Life assurance

Flexible benefits package

Staff travel discount

Holiday discount credit

Work Abroad 30 days

EV lease salary sacrifice

Job summary

easyJet is seeking a Lead Platform Architect to govern and evolve our Airline Operations Platform, uniting Crew, Airports, Flight Operations and Engineering under a single resilient architecture.

You will drive the architecture strategy, ensure API-first design, and champion event-driven data flows while mentoring teams across federated engineering communities. This role demands strategic leadership and aviation domain awareness.

Qualifications

• Systems thinking across large, interconnected platforms.
• Experience aligning product demands with business strategy.
• Deep mastery of API-first and event-driven architectures.
• Knowledge of aviation data standards (IATA) a plus.
• Proven design review leadership and tech debt management.
• Ability to influence federated engineering teams.

Responsibilities

• Define target platform architecture and roadmap for multi-mission reuse.
• Enforce API-first patterns and integration standards.
• Lead architecture reviews and governance across teams.
• Design core identity, data, orchestration and event streaming layers.
• Champion real-time data, AI/automation capabilities and telemetry workflows.
• Mentor architects and engineers across domains.

Skills

Systems Thinker

Strategic Leader

Integration Expert

Aviation Domain Knowledge

Governance Champion

Superb Communicator

Job description

We are easyJet – a FTSE-250 listed, £multi-billion low-cost airline that serves tens of millions of customers every single year. If you’re reading this, you have probably already been an easyJet customer, and you’ll know that there is no more iconic (or Orange!) travel brand in Europe.

We fly more than 1,207 routes, connecting 38 countries across Europe, and employ more than 18,000 colleagues. We’re on a mission to make low-cost travel easy – and whatever your role here, you’ll connect millions of people to what they love using Europe’s best airline network, great value fares, and friendly service.

What makes us easyJet? Our Promise Behaviours – we are Safe, Bold, Welcoming and Challenging. Four Behaviours. One Spirit. One easyJet.

Shape the Future of Our Flight Ecosystem

Are you an expert systems thinker who thrives on turning complex, multi-domain environments into streamlined, resilient digital platforms?

We are seeking a Lead Platform Architect to serve as the ultimate architectural authority for our Airline Operations Platform. This is not a role for a passive observer. You will actively govern and evolve a mission-critical enterprise asset that directly impacts flight operations, crew management, and overall system reliability.

You will unite diverse operational "Missions"—including Crew, Airports, Flight Operations, and Engineering—under a single, highly resilient, and interoperable platform architecture.

Job Purpose

Your primary mission is to ensure our Airline Operations Platform runs as a unified, coherent system rather than a fragmented collection of independent tools. You will own the target architecture, service models, and integration patterns, driving multi-Mission reuse while ruthlessly eliminating duplication and integration complexity.

Key Responsibilities

Architecture Strategy & Roadmap

• Own Platform Integrity: Define the target architecture and roadmap to ensure a shared enterprise asset.
• Enforce Reuse: Design all platform capabilities for multi-Mission reuse to eliminate duplicate systems.
• Set the Standards: Establish service contracts, API-first rules, and default integration patterns.
• Manage Change: Govern platform evolution to prevent unmanaged dependencies and friction.
• Align Globally: Partner with Enterprise Architecture to match platform goals with enterprise strategy.

Technical Leadership & Governance

• Act as Authority: Serve as the final design review voice and technical authority for the platform.
• Guide Engineering: Provide technical leadership to engineering teams on scalability and resilience.
• Run Design Reviews: Lead architecture assurance activities to ensure alignment with target models.
• Control Deviations: Review, document, and strictly control any deviations from established platform standards.
• Architect Core Layers: Design core layers for identity, operational data, orchestration, and event streaming.
• Drive Real-Time Data: Champion event-driven architecture, streaming, and shared data services.
• Scale Smart Tech: Define reusable AI, automation capabilities, and telemetry workflows.
• Follow Industry Standards: Ensure platform alignment with aviation and industry standards (e.g., IATA).

Resilience, Security & Community

• Secure by Design: Embed identity, authentication, federation, and data privacy into all layers.
• Mitigate Risk: Identify architectural risks to protect critical, real-time flight operations.
• Cultivate Talent: Mentor architects and engineers across teams on platform-first design principles.

Key Requirements & Skills

• Systems Thinker: Ability to think in large, interconnected systems rather than isolated components.
• Strategic Leader: Proven experience aligning distinct product demands with overall business strategy.
• Integration Expert: Deep mastery of scalable, API-first, and event-driven architectures.
• Aviation Domain Knowledge: Direct experience with aviation data frameworks and industry standards (e.g., IATA) is highly desirable.
• Governance Champion: Strong track record of running design reviews and managing technical debt in complex environments.
• Superb Communicator: Ability to influence federated engineering communities and elevate conflicts constructively.

“Please note that this role does not meet the criteria for visa sponsorship, and we are therefore unable to consider applicants who require sponsorship to work in the UK.”

What you’ll get in return:

At easyJet, we pride ourselves on a vibrant and inclusive workplace culture that supports and rewards innovation and excellence.

We offer:

• 25 days holiday, pension scheme, life assurance, and a flexible benefits package.
• Discounted staff travel scheme for friends and family
• Annual credit for discount on easyJet holidays
• ‘Work Away’ scheme, allowing you to work abroad for 30 days a year
• Electric vehicle lease salary sacrifice scheme

Location & Hours of Work

We operate a hybrid working policy of 40%-60% of the month spent with colleagues.

We look forward to your application and the possibility of you flying high with our team!

Reasonable Adjustments:

At easyJet, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace that reflects the diverse customers we serve across Europe. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds. If you require specific adjustments or support during the application or recruitment process, such as extra time for assessments or accessible interview locations, please contact us at [e-mail].

We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process to ensure accessibility and accommodation