Principal Architect - Integration

Barclays; London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading bank seeks a senior technology architect to design solutions for complex IT systems and set strategic direction. The role involves collaboration with teams on innovative projects, ensuring compliance, and mentoring for community initiatives. Ideal candidates have deep technical expertise and proven leadership capabilities.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in architecture for complex IT systems.
• Experience in leading technology teams and strategic initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Set strategic architecture direction for technology areas.
• Manage and oversee technology projects.
• Develop and promote architectural standards and governance.

Skills

Deep technical expertise

Leadership

Communication

Strategic thinking

Problem-solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, IT or related field

Relevant certifications (e.g., TOGAF)

Job description

Responsibilities

• Create integration guidance on internal developer documentation site for Barclays product offerings, standards, and practices.
• Guide on Kafka Strategy implementation as a modern platform, e.g., topic as a service.
• Define a modern External API / Digital Product ecosystem, including automation of API governance.
• Establish a set of proven Kafka patterns, including for safe transactions.
• Consolidate the Integration Domain Roadmap, outlining planned integration offerings and significant business application investments across the group.
• Review, re-publish the REST API Standards, and recommend improvements for developer support and automated governance.
• Overhaul Messaging Product Strategy in collaboration with the Product Line Manager.
• Partner with Application Engineering teams on developer tooling and Jumpstart support for APIs, Kafka, and messaging.
• Provide guidance for developers and influence platform teams.
• Collaborate with Solution and Enterprise Architects on major business application investments to increase alignment and reuse opportunities.
• Work with Data Architecture and Engineering on API and Event schemas, taxonomy, and governance.

Purpose of the role

To set direction and design solutions for the bank's most complex IT systems and platforms, using industry-leading approaches to meet challenging functional and non-functional requirements.

Accountabilities

• Set the bank's strategic architecture direction for a specialist technology area, e.g., development of trading platforms.
• Provide deep technical expertise in designing and evaluating complex technology architectures, overseeing solution architects, and encouraging continuous learning.
• Manage innovative design, engineering initiatives, and complex technology projects through collaboration with technical experts.
• Develop and promote architectural standards, guidelines, and governance policies to ensure consistency, quality, and compliance.
• Identify emerging technology trends and implement solutions aligned with strategic objectives.
• Maintain advisor relationships with business partners, architects, and engineering teams to drive successful outcomes.
• Advocate for solutions that meet technological needs through clear communication.
• Support community initiatives to mentor team members, streamline operations, and share knowledge.

Director Expectations

• Manage a business function, contribute to strategic initiatives, and influence policies and procedures.
• Lead a large team or sub-function, or for an individual contributor, lead organization-wide projects and act as a technical expert and thought leader.
• Provide expert advice to senior management and committees to influence decisions.
• Manage resourcing, budgeting, and policy creation for a significant sub-function.
• Ensure compliance with policies and regulations, and monitor external environment influences.
• Demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of industry practices and external developments.
• Use advanced analytical skills to solve complex problems and design solutions.
• Make significant strategic decisions within own area.
• Negotiate and influence stakeholders at senior levels.
• Act as principal contact for key clients and counterparts.
• Represent the function and business division as a spokesperson.

All Senior Leaders are expected to demonstrate leadership behaviors: Listen and be authentic, Energize and inspire, Align across the enterprise, Develop others. All colleagues should embody Barclays Values—Respect, Integrity, Service, Excellence, and Stewardship—and the Barclays Mindset—Empower, Challenge, and Drive.