Job Description

Principal Architect

Are you passionate about designing future‑ready systems that balance performance, reliability, and simplicity?
Do you thrive on setting technical direction and influencing engineering strategy across teams?
                               

About the team:

A global leader in information and analytics, we help researchers and healthcare professionals advance science and improve health outcomes for the benefit of society. Building on our publishing heritage, we combine quality information and vast data sets with analytics to support visionary science and research, health education and interactive learning, as well as exceptional healthcare and clinical practice. At Elsevier, your work contributes to the world’s grand challenges and a more sustainable future. We harness innovative technologies to support science and healthcare to partner for a better world.

About the role:

This position contributes to the definition of Enterprise Architecture within Elsevier, specifically related to the Shared Technologies that underpin our product portfolio. You will be responsible for drivingforward the architecture strategy for Identity and Access, Enterprise API Management and the secure adoption and delivery of agentic AI solutions across the shared platforms that underpin all of Elsevier’s products.

Responsibilities include governing adherence to architectural principles and standards and working with architects and senior architects as a key interaction point for communication, evangelism, governance, and feedback. The position also requires working closely alongside our engineering, product, and business partners to understand their strategies and enable timely, efficient, and governed delivery of solutions to support them.

Key responsibilities:

• Translate business needs and technology direction into scalable architectural solutions.

• Communicate complex technical concepts in a clear, business‑focused manner to support decision‑making.

• Partner with architects across the organization to ensure alignment, governance, and shared architectural direction.

• Collaborate with product and business strategy teams to anticipate long‑term technological needs.

• Evaluate new technologies and potential acquisitions as required.

• Define and implement technology strategies that promote standardization, reuse, and simplification.

• Plan for the evolution, retirement, and replacement of systems within the business unit.

• Provide architectural leadership and promote software engineering best practices.

• Review and approve changes to infrastructure components and subsystems.

• Lead architectural design for large‑scale development efforts.

• Act as a bridge between enterprise architecture and engineering teams.

• Work collaboratively with architects across different groups to ensure cohesive solutions.

• Introduce and support teams in adopting new technologies.

• Lead teams in identifying and resolving complex technical challenges.

• Present findings, risks, and solution options to support informed decision‑making.

• Guide technical direction and architectural evolution through reviews and hands‑on leadership.

• Identify opportunities to evolve components into shared infrastructure.

• Stay current with industry and technology advancements and explore opportunities to apply them.

• Advocate for and support the adoption of shared technologies across business units.

• Collaborate closely with shared technology teams to provide architectural guidance and support.

Requirements:

Qualifications

• Extensive experience (typically 15+ years) in software, network, or systems architecture.

• Significant experience leading cross‑functional or cross‑product architectural initiatives with measurable enterprise impact.

• Degree in Engineering or Computer Science, or equivalent practical experience

Technical Skills

• Deep expertise in architectural design and governance.

• Strong understanding of programming concepts, databases, and modern engineering practices.

• Experience leading complex technical projects and collaborating with customers or external partners.

• Ability to work with vendors to align technology strategies with organizational architecture goals.

• Innovative mindset with experience in modern technologies, security, and infrastructure.

• Advanced skills in planning, prioritization, and managing multiple initiatives across teams.

• Strong problem‑solving abilities, including guiding teams through diagnosing and resolving complex issues.

• Clear and effective communication skills, with the ability to present technical concepts to diverse audiences, including senior leadership.

• Strong research and analytical skills.

• Ability to develop architectural business cases aligned with enterprise strategy.

• Expertise in APIs, API management, and API governance.

• Strong knowledge of modern authentication and authorization protocols (e.g., OAuth2, OIDC).

Why join us?

Join our team and contribute to a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence. If you are ready to advance your career and make a significant impact, we encourage you to apply.

Work in a way that works for you

We promote a healthy work/life balance across the organization. We offer an appealing working prospect for our people. With numerous wellbeing initiatives and shared parental leave, we will help you meet your immediate responsibilities and your long-term goals.

• Working flexible hours - flexing the times when you work in the day to help you fit everything in and work when you are the most productive.

Working for you

We know that your well-being and happiness are key to a long and successful career. These are some of the benefits we are delighted to offer:

• Comprehensive Pension Plan

• Generous vacation entitlement and option for sabbatical leave

• Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, and Family Care leave

• Flexible working hours

• Personal Choice budget

• Internal communities and networks

• Various employee discounts

• Recruitment introduction reward

• Employee Assistance Program (global)

About the business –

A global leader in information and analytics, we help researchers and healthcare professionals advance science and improve health outcomes for the benefit of society. Building on our publishing heritage, we combine quality information and vast data sets with analytics to support visionary science and research, health education and interactive learning, as well as exceptional healthcare and clinical practice. At Elsevier, your work contributes to the world’s grand challenges and a more sustainable future. We harness innovative technologies to support science and healthcare to partner for a better world.

We know your well-being and happiness are key to a long and successful career. We are delighted to offer country specific benefits. Click here to access benefits specific to your location.

We are committed to providing a fair and accessible hiring process. If you have a disability or other need that requires accommodation or adjustment, please let us know by completing our Applicant Request Support Form or please contact 1-855-833-5120.

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