Principal Architect

Harvey Nash; North East; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Harvey Nash is seeking a Principal Architect to define the long-term technology strategy for a global SaaS platform. This role offers the chance to impact products, platforms and engineering teams across the UK and US, without people management responsibilities, and to work directly with senior technology leadership.

You will shape architecture principles, governance and roadmaps, guiding investment in scalable, secure platforms and AI-enabled technologies.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience shaping technology strategy for SaaS/platform-led organisations.
• Proven ability to influence across Engineering, Product, Security and Infrastructure.
• Strong cloud experience and AI adoption in large-scale environments.
• Excellent communication with senior leadership.

Responsibilities

• Define architecture principles and governance across global tech estate.
• Shape roadmaps and investment in platform evolution and AI.
• Collaborate with UK/US teams to align architectural decisions.

Skills

Architecture leadership

Cloud architecture

AI-enabled tech

Stakeholder influence

Job description

Shape the Future of a Global SaaS Platform

A global SaaS organisation used by millions is investing heavily in AI, platform modernisation and the next generation of its products. As part of that journey, they're hiring a Principal Architect to play a key role in defining the long-term technology strategy that underpins the business.

This is a rare opportunity to influence architecture at a global scale without the distractions of people management or day-to-day delivery. You'll work directly with senior technology leadership, helping shape decisions that impact products, platforms and engineering teams across the UK and US.

Why This Role?

• Own and influence architecture strategy across a global technology estate
• Shape the organisation's approach to AI adoption, platform evolution and technology investment
• Operate as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and engineering teams
• Drive consistency, governance and best practice across multiple disciplines
• Help unite UK and US technology teams within a genuinely collaborative global model
• Enjoy high visibility, significant influence and direct access to decision-makers
• Join a purpose-led technology business whose products make a real-world impact

What You'll Be Doing

You'll be responsible for defining architecture principles, leading technical governance, shaping technology roadmaps and bringing together experts from Engineering, Product, Security, Infrastructure and Data to drive strategic decisions.

Rather than being focused on delivery, you'll be looking over the horizon—identifying opportunities, guiding investment, evaluating emerging technologies and ensuring the organisation's platforms remain scalable, secure and ready for the future.

What We're Looking For

We're interested in experienced Architects who have helped shape technology direction within modern SaaS, software or platform-led organisations.

You’ll be comfortable influencing across multiple teams, driving architectural decision-making and translating complex technical challenges into clear strategic direction. Experience working within large-scale cloud environments, modern software architectures and AI-enabled technology landscapes would be highly beneficial.

The Bottom Line

If you're looking for a role where you can step back from project delivery and genuinely influence the future direction of a global technology platform, this is an opportunity to make a lasting impact.