At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead architectural direction for airline operations and drive innovation in technology.
- Company: Join easyJet, a leading low-cost airline with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, and discounted travel for friends and family.
- Other info: Hybrid working policy and commitment to inclusivity.
- Why this job: Shape the future of aviation technology and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in architecture roles and strong stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 88000 £ per year.
We are easyJet – a FTSE-250 listed, multi-billion low-cost airline that serves tens of millions of customers every single year. We fly more than 1,207 routes, connecting 38 countries across Europe, and employ more than 18,000 colleagues. We’re on a mission to make low-cost travel easy.
We are seeking a Lead Architect to join our Airline Operations team. This pivotal role is accountable for the architectural integrity, direction, and outcomes within a defined Airline Operations Mission (e.g. Crew, Airports, Flight Operations, or Engineering). You will define and evolve target-state architecture, standards, and guardrails, ensuring technology change aligns with enterprise direction while enabling teams to make effective local decisions.
Key Responsibilities:- Provide architectural direction and decision guidance within the Mission scope, acting as the escalation point for significant cross-product, cross-domain, or enterprise impact.
- Define architectural standards and guardrails, supporting teams in consistent application.
- Establish patterns, constraints, and design principles for adoption across product teams.
- Facilitate architecture reviews and design discussions, ensuring alignment with strategic direction.
- Assess and support teams with deviations from agreed standards.
- Identify and drive migration of capabilities to shared Airline Operations Platform services.
- Identify emerging technology trends and ensure readiness for future requirements, including AI, automation, and platform evolution.
- Experience working across senior leadership, architecture communities, and product delivery teams.
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills, including those outside direct authority.
- Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Balance strategic thinking with practical delivery considerations and trade-offs.
- Familiarity with observability platforms, telemetry, event streaming, and modern data architectures.
- Knowledge of automation frameworks, digital operations platforms, and emerging technology trends.
- Experience with cloud-native architectures and platform engineering approaches.
- Understanding of identity federation and third party/partner access management.
- Experience implementing AI-enabled operational capabilities or predictive analytics solutions.
- TOGAF, ArchiMate, or equivalent architecture certification.
- Experience operating within product-centric technology organisations.
- Significant experience in Domain Architecture, Enterprise Architecture, Solution Architecture, or Lead Architecture roles.
- Ability to define architectural strategies, technology roadmaps, and target architectures.
- Experience operating above solution-level architecture, providing governance across multi-product architecture landscapes, and managing build/buy/platform decisions at scale.
- Experience evolving legacy solutions and reducing or eliminating technical debt using industry patterns.
- Establishing architecture standards, governance frameworks, and assurance processes.
- Strong understanding of distributed systems, cloud platforms, APIs, integration patterns, and event-driven architectures.
- Familiarity with observability platforms, telemetry, event streaming, and modern data architectures.
- Knowledge of automation frameworks, digital operations platforms, and emerging technology trends.
- Understanding of data architecture, operational data platforms, and analytics ecosystems.
- Experience with cloud-native architectures and platform engineering approaches.
- Understanding of identity federation and third-party/partner access management.
- Experience implementing AI-enabled operational capabilities or predictive analytics solutions.
- Experience within aviation, airline operations technology environments, or demonstrable comparable experience.
- Knowledge of areas such as crew rostering, integrated control centres, departure control systems (DCS), passenger processing, baggage operations, airport operational systems, frontline workforce technology, flight planning, flight deck systems, aircraft maintenance, or engineering supply chain.
Why Join Us? You’ll be part of a forward-thinking team, driving architectural excellence and innovation in airline operations. If you’re passionate about technology, leadership, and shaping the future of aviation, we’d love to hear from you.
Please note that this role does not meet the criteria for visa sponsorship, and we are therefore unable to consider applicants who require sponsorship to work in the UK.
How to Apply:If you are a self-starter who can identify opportunities to drive greater success for the team and have a track record of building strong relationships with internal stakeholders, we would love to hear from you. Apply now to join our dynamic team!
What you’ll get in return:At easyJet, we pride ourselves on a vibrant and inclusive workplace culture that supports and rewards innovation and excellence. We offer:
- Competitive base salary
- Annual bonus potential.
- 25 days holiday, pension scheme, life assurance, and a flexible benefits package.
- Discounted staff travel scheme for friends and family
- Annual credit for discount on easyJet holidays
- ‘Work Away’ scheme, allowing you to work abroad for 30 days a year
- Electric vehicle lease salary sacrifice scheme
We operate a hybrid working policy of 40%-60% of the month spent with colleagues.
We look forward to your application and the possibility of you flying high with our team!
Application Process:Interested candidates should apply through our careers portal.
Reasonable Adjustments:At easyJet, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace that reflects the diverse customers we serve across Europe. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds. If you require specific adjustments or support during the application or recruitment process, such as extra time for assessments or accessible interview locations, please contact us at ma.recruitment@easyjet.com.
We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process to ensure accessibility and accommodation.
Lead Architect (Mission) - Airline Ops in London employer: Easyjet
easyJet is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation and sustainability are at the forefront of our mission. As a Future Fuels Manager based in Luton, you'll benefit from a strong focus on employee growth, competitive bonuses, and excellent travel perks, all while contributing to our ambitious sustainability goals. Our collaborative culture encourages you to build meaningful relationships with industry leaders, ensuring your role is both impactful and rewarding.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Architect (Mission) - Airline Ops in London
✨Join Aerospace Forums and Groups
Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye on upcoming aerospace conferences and events where you can network with professionals and showcase your interest. Events like the Farnborough International Airshow are not just about flying machines; they're a goldmine for connections and potential job leads.
✨Spotlight Your Projects
Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience or projects on your portfolio that showcase your skills in aerospace engineering. Employers love seeing practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Show us what you've got!
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with Easyjet for a Lead Architect (Mission) - Airline Ops. This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Architect (Mission) - Airline Ops in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Easyjet, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!
Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.
Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At Easyjet, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.
Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.
How to prepare for a job interview at Easyjet
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge
Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with Easyjet.
✨Showcase Your Projects with Confidence
Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Technical Interviews
Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with Easyjet. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.
✨Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills
As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like Easyjet love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
