Principal Architect - Infrastructure, Cloud & AI

Whitbread PLC; Dunstable; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

Discounts

Job summary

Whitbread PLC in Dunstable is seeking a Principal Architect - Infrastructure, Cloud & AI to define and lead the architecture strategy for cloud, infrastructure and AI-enabled technology services. This high-impact leadership role influences enterprise-wide technology decisions and shapes long-term roadmaps across secure, resilient, scalable platforms.

Location: Whitbread Court, Dunstable (3 days hybrid). The role requires experience in Azure, AWS, hybrid cloud, and governance-driven architecture,

Qualifications

• Significant experience in Infrastructure, Cloud or Platform Architecture within a large, complex enterprise environment.
• Deep knowledge of Azure, AWS, hybrid cloud platforms and modern infrastructure services.
• Strong understanding of enterprise networking, security, resilience and platform engineering principles.
• Experience creating target architectures, technology roadmaps, governance frameworks and architectural standards.
• Knowledge of AI, Generative AI, AIOps, automation technologies and responsible AI practices.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and translate complex technical concepts into clear business outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Own the strategic architecture for Whitbread’s infrastructure, cloud and platform estate, driving technology direction across cloud platforms, networks, hosting, end user computing, platform engineering and AI-enabled operations.
• Define architecture principles, design standards and technology roadmaps, while providing governance and technical leadership across major programmes and investments.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and develop practical strategies for adopting AI, automation and intelligent infrastructure capabilities across the organisation.

Skills

Infrastructure architecture

Cloud architecture

Azure

AWS

Hybrid cloud

Networking

Security

Platform engineering

AI technologies

Stakeholder influence

Job description

Principal Architect - Infrastructure, Cloud & AI

Dunstable, UK

Job Description

Posted Friday 31 July 2026 at 00:00

At Whitbread, we’re transforming how technology powers some of the UK's most recognised hospitality brands. We’re looking for a visionary Principal Architect - Infrastructure, Cloud & AI to define and lead the architecture strategy for our cloud, infrastructure and AI-enabled technology services.

This is a high-impact leadership role where you’ll influence enterprise-wide technology decisions, shape long-term roadmaps, and ensure our platforms remain secure, resilient, scalable and ready for the future. You’ll play a key role in helping Whitbread unlock the value of emerging technologies including AI, Generative AI, Automation and AIOps.

Role: Principal Architect - Infrastructure, Cloud & AI

Contract Type: Permanent, Full time

Location: Whitbread Court, Dunstable (3 days hybrid)

Why You’ll Love It Here

• Healthcare: Family BUPA healthcare
• Discounts: Up to 60% discount on Premier Inn stays and 25% discount on our Restaurant brand

You’ll own the strategic architecture for Whitbread’s infrastructure, cloud and platform estate, driving technology direction across areas including cloud platforms, networks, hosting, end user computing, platform engineering and AI-enabled operations.

Working closely with architecture, engineering, security and product teams, you’ll define architecture principles, design standards and technology roadmaps, while providing governance and technical leadership across major programmes and investments. You’ll also evaluate emerging technologies and develop practical strategies for adopting AI, automation and intelligent infrastructure capabilities across the organisation

What you’ll need

• Significant experience in Infrastructure, Cloud or Platform Architecture within a large, complex enterprise environment.
• Deep knowledge of Azure, AWS, hybrid cloud platforms and modern infrastructure services.
• Strong understanding of enterprise networking, security, resilience and platform engineering principles.
• Experience creating target architectures, technology roadmaps, governance frameworks and architectural standards.
• Knowledge of AI, Generative AI, AIOps, automation technologies and responsible AI practices.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and translate complex technical concepts into clear business outcomes.