At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead architectural design and drive system architecture across multiple teams.
- Company: Join MOO, a vibrant tech company shaking up the print industry.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, private healthcare, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to inclusivity and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a creative environment that values your individuality.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in architecture and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
MOO set out to shake up the world of print back in 2006. Today we’re a 400+ strong team who create print and digital products for companies of all sizes – from Google and AirBnB to small businesses. Our global HQ is in London, UK, with additional premises in Dagenham, Boston, MA, East Providence, RI, and Denver, CO.
This role is cross‑cutting across Technology & Product, not limited to eCommerce. You’ll partner with Heads of Engineering, Staff Engineers, Product and Platform to define and drive the end‑to‑end system architecture spanning eCommerce, post‑purchase, manufacturing and data. You’ll be accountable for architectural outcomes, migration strategy and enabling product engineering to ship safely at pace.
About You
You are a seasoned architect and product‑minded technologist who leads through influence across multiple teams. You’ve led large, multi‑quarter platform migrations or consolidations, balancing pragmatism with long‑term architectural clarity. You are excellent at communication and turn ambiguity into clear direction.
Responsibilities
- Architecture and governance: Define target architecture, standards and patterns; ensure decisions are captured via ADRs; steward security, privacy and compliance guardrails.
- Accountabilities: Architectural integrity, reduced complexity over time, safe migration with controlled risk, clear decision trail.
- Delivery enablement: Enable parallel team delivery through well‑designed interfaces and migration patterns; unblock teams with timely guidance and reviews.
- Accountabilities: On‑time cross‑team delivery of strategic outcomes; fewer blockers; consistent adherence to standards.
- Developer experience and reliability: Partner with Platform to uplift CI/CD, observability, SLOs and incident learning; advocate for fitness functions and paved roads.
- Accountabilities: Improved flow and stability metrics; faster, safer releases; measurable DX improvements.
- People leadership: Mentor Staff/Senior engineers; run architecture reviews and forums; translate architecture into business impact for executives.
- Accountabilities: Higher engineering leverage, clearer alignment, stronger technical decision quality across the organisation.
What’s it like to work at MOO?
MOO’s the kind of workplace where you can really be yourself. We want to help you grow in your career and set you up for success while recognising the importance of a healthy work/life balance. That’s why we offer 25 days holiday rising by one day for each year here (for 5 years), a matched pension scheme, and paid parental leave. We’ll offer you private healthcare, life insurance, a season ticket loan, and a cycle to work scheme. We also offer flexible work schedules with hybrid and remote working for certain roles as well as a Work From Anywhere program.
Diversity Statement
We are working hard to create a representative, inclusive and friendly team, because we know that different experiences, perspectives and backgrounds make for a better workplace. MOO doesn’t discriminate on the basis of race, colour, religion or belief, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital status, disability or any other protected class. We strive to create a values‑driven, purposeful and highly empowered organisation that we are all proud to work for.
Principal Architect in London employer: MOO group
At MOO, we pride ourselves on fostering a vibrant and inclusive work culture where creativity thrives and individuality is celebrated. As a Principal Architect, you'll not only lead innovative architectural strategies but also benefit from our commitment to employee growth through mentorship and professional development opportunities. With a generous holiday allowance, flexible working arrangements, and a focus on work/life balance, MOO is an exceptional employer for those seeking a meaningful career in a dynamic environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Architect in London
✨Get Your Portfolio Game On Point
As an aspiring architect, your portfolio is your golden ticket. Make sure it's not just a collection of your best work, but tells a story about your design process and creative thought. Showcase a range of projects, from conceptual sketches to final renderings—think of it as a visual CV!
✨Slide into Networking Events
Architecture thrives on community connections, so keep an eye out for local architecture meetups, exhibitions, and lectures. These events are gold for meeting industry professionals, and who knows? You might just bump into someone from MOO group who can give you the insider scoop on their hiring process!
✨Learn the Software Inside Out
Make sure you're up to speed with design software like AutoCAD, Revit, and SketchUp. Being able to discuss your proficiency during interviews can really set you apart. Plus, if you can mention particular projects where you’ve used them, you’ll demonstrate both skill and practical experience.
✨Refine Your Interview Skills
Interviews for architecture roles can get quite technical, so practice answering questions about your design process and decision-making strategies. Prepare for potential design challenges they might put forward in interviews—show them you can think on your feet and come up with innovative solutions!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Architect in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Design Skills:Architecture is all about creativity and technical skills, so make sure your portfolio is front and centre! Include a range of your best projects, showcasing different styles and techniques. Don't forget to explain your design process and the challenges you overcame for each project – it gives hiring managers a glimpse into your thought process!
Tailor Your CV to Architecture:When putting together your CV, highlight relevant experience in architectural design software, like AutoCAD or Revit. Plus, if you have any internships or coursework that involved real-world projects, be sure to mention them. We want to see not just what you've done, but how it relates directly to this role at MOO group!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to MOO group. Talk about specific projects or values of theirs you admire, and how you see yourself contributing to their team. We want to feel your enthusiasm – let it shine through your words!
Use Professional Terminology:Don't shy away from using industry-specific jargon that demonstrates your expertise! Terms like 'sustainability', 'scale', and 'aesthetics' can not only show your knowledge but also help you connect with the hiring team. Just ensure it's done in a way that's relatable and not overly technical, so we can see your passion clearly!
How to prepare for a job interview at MOO group
✨Master the Technical Questions
In an architecture interview, be ready to tackle some technical questions about building codes, design principles, and software like AutoCAD or Revit. Brush up on your knowledge of materials and components, as you might even face scenarios to solve during the interview that showcase your problem-solving skills in real-time.
✨Bring Your Portfolio to Life
Your portfolio is your golden ticket! Make sure it not only showcases your best work but also highlights your design thinking process, from sketches to final outputs. During the interview, be prepared to discuss the projects in detail—what challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and what you learnt.
✨Demonstrate Your Passion for Sustainability
In today's architecture landscape, sustainability is key. Be sure to highlight any projects that involved eco-friendly designs or your understanding of sustainable practices. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the trends but are genuinely passionate about creating a better future through your designs.
✨Engage with Your Interviewers
Architecture is a collaborative field, so showing that you're a team player is essential. When conversing with the interviewers, actively listen and respond to their ideas. This isn’t just about you showing off your skills, but also about connecting and demonstrating how well you’d fit into their team at MOO group.