Enterprise Architect Principal (SAP) - Remote

United Natural Foods, Inc; Providence (RI); Remote; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

United Natural Foods, Inc is looking for an Enterprise Architect Principal to lead enterprise-wide system architecture. This senior role requires extensive experience in defining and implementing architectural approaches and solutions to complex application challenges.

The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in enterprise architecture and cloud platform delivery, as well as exceptional teamwork and communication skills, essential for influencing stakeholders at various management levels.

Qualifications

• 10 years of overall relevant IT experience.
• 6 years of experience with enterprise architecture and software design patterns.
• Deep experience with software design and delivery on cloud platforms.

Responsibilities

• Lead enterprise-wide system architecture focusing on effectiveness and design.
• Define principles guiding technology decisions for the enterprise.
• Collaborate with engineers to ensure system compatibility and user requirements.

Skills

Enterprise Architecture Tools

Hybrid Cloud Architecture

Cloud Native Architectures

Project Management

Problem-Solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in computer science or related study

Tools

Lean‑ix

AWS

SAP Reference Architecture

Job description

PURPOSE

The Enterprise Architect (EA) Principal is responsible for leading enterprise-wide system architecture focusing on the effectiveness, design, and development of solutions for complex application problems and architecture. This role focuses on defining and verifying the stability, portability, security, or scalability of systems applications across the enterprise. The position provides leadership direction and accountability for strategic application architecture plans, system design, and implementation.

The Enterprise Architect Principal independently determines and develops architectural approaches and solutions, conducts business reviews, documents current systems in the portfolio, and recommends how to proceed with the applications (e.g., replace, retire, maintain, etc.). This is a senior role in architecture and regularly works with senior leaders and stakeholders across the enterprise.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Leverages advanced technical skills to define principles that guide technology decisions for the enterprise and provide a broad understanding of platforms and applications across all technologies.
• Creates the architecture development and evaluates current architecture, providing recommendations and design solutions for the enterprise.
• Evaluates existing systems to determine effectiveness, and suggests changes to meet organizational requirements.
• Collaborates and guides engineers or software developers to select appropriate design solutions or ensure the compatibility of system components.
• Communicates and partners with internal team members and senior stakeholders to understand specific system requirements and provides recommendations and technical guidance.
• Defines and analyzes objectives, overall scope issues, and organizational impacts of systems.
• Incorporates SOA principles into enterprise architecture design, including identifying opportunities for common services and service reuse.
• Investigates system components suitability for specified business purposes and makes recommendations regarding the system use.
• Participates in research and maintains knowledge in emerging technologies and possible application to the business, focusing on two or more areas specific to the grocery/distribution industry.
• Partners with fellow architects, engineers, and security to direct the development and operation of systems and translate business needs into system development.
• Provides strategic advice on project costs, design concepts, or design changes including risks and assessment of decisions.
• Communicates project information to senior stakeholders, including technical reporting and high‑visibility presentations.
• Directs the overall installation of systems, networks, or application software.
• Trains system engineers in operations and maintenance.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education / Certifications / Equivalent Combination

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, systems analysis, or a related study.
• 10 years of overall relevant IT experience.
• 6 years of experience with enterprise architecture, software architecture, and design patterns.
• 6 years of experience with complex architectural patterns (SOA), building APIs, microservices, and event‑driven design.
• Deep experience with software design and delivery on cloud platforms such as AWS, with an understanding of economic and business models for software in the cloud.
• 6 overall software development experience on multi‑tiered systems.
• Experience with S/4 Hana and Lean‑ix Integration and usage, or familiarity with SAP Reference Architecture.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Understanding of Enterprise Architecture Tools, preferably Lean‑ix.
• Understanding of hybrid cloud architecture using the Well‑Architected Framework principles.
• Understanding modern data architectures; Databricks experience is a plus.
• Strong teamwork and interpersonal skills; ability to communicate and influence at all management levels and with both technical and non‑technical individuals, successfully managing cross‑functional and remote environments.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and conceptual skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively in a matrixed environment.
• Ability to adapt rapidly to changing technology and apply it to business needs.
• Strong project management skills; experience organizing, planning, and executing large‑scale projects from vision through implementation, involving internal and external resources.
• In‑depth and breadth knowledge across multiple software engineering disciplines.
• Advanced knowledge of Cloud Native Architectures, especially architecting enterprise applications on public cloud such as AWS, GCP, or Azure.
• Advanced knowledge of eCommerce in a retail or wholesale organization.
• Good judgment; the position may require decisions when direct supervision is not immediately available.