Principal Architect
Principal Architect

Principal Architect

Full-Time 72000 - 108000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
MOO

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead architectural design and drive system architecture across eCommerce and product engineering.
  • Company: Join MOO, a vibrant tech company shaking up the print industry since 2006.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible work schedules, 25 days holiday, private healthcare, and a matched pension scheme.
  • Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values individuality and promotes career growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on innovative projects while working in a fun and inclusive environment.
  • Qualifications: Proven experience in large-scale migrations and expertise in eCommerce systems.

The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 ÂŁ 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. 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.

The Person We Want

  • Proven experience leading large‑scale platform or product migrations across multiple teams
  • Deep eCommerce or high‑volume transactional systems experience (checkout, payments, order management, catalog)
  • Expert in domain‑driven design, API design, and microservices/event‑driven architecture
  • Strong breadth: frontend architecture (Next.js, SSR/SSG, CDN/edge) and backend (Node/Java microservices)
  • Cloud‑native on AWS; comfortable defining requirements and guardrails for platform teams
  • Influences without authority; mentors Staff and Senior engineers, raises the bar across the organisation

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 up, down and across, turning ambiguity into clear direction

Responsibilities

Architecture and governance Responsibilities: 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 Responsibilities: 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 Responsibilities: 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 Responsibilities: 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 super‑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 employer: MOO

At MOO, we foster a vibrant and inclusive work culture where creativity thrives and individuality is celebrated. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we offer extensive benefits including 25 days of holiday, flexible working arrangements, and a supportive environment that prioritises work/life balance. Join us in our London HQ and be part of a dynamic team that values diverse perspectives and encourages innovation in the world of print and digital products.
MOO

Contact Detail:

MOO Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Principal Architect

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in your industry on LinkedIn or at events. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for those interviews! Research MOO, understand their products, and think about how your experience aligns with their needs. Show them you’re not just another candidate.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your pitch! You want to be able to clearly explain your past projects and how they relate to the role of Principal Architect. Keep it concise and impactful.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step!

We think you need these skills to ace Principal Architect

System Architecture
eCommerce Systems
Domain-Driven Design
API Design
Microservices Architecture
Frontend Architecture (Next.js, SSR/SSG, CDN/edge)
Backend Development (Node/Java microservices)
Cloud-Native Development (AWS)
Migration Strategy
Cross-Team Collaboration
Communication Skills
Mentoring and Leadership
CI/CD Practices
Observability
Incident Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Principal Architect role. Highlight your experience with large-scale migrations and eCommerce systems, as these are key to what we’re looking for at MOO.

Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves influencing across multiple teams, it’s crucial to demonstrate your communication prowess. Use examples in your application that show how you've turned ambiguity into clear direction in past projects.

Highlight Technical Expertise: Don’t forget to mention your expertise in domain-driven design, API design, and microservices. We want to see your technical skills shine through, especially in areas like cloud-native architecture on AWS.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!

How to prepare for a job interview at MOO

✨Know Your Architecture Inside Out

Make sure you’re well-versed in the principles of domain-driven design, API design, and microservices. Be ready to discuss your past experiences with large-scale platform migrations and how you tackled challenges in eCommerce systems.

✨Showcase Your Communication Skills

Since this role involves influencing without authority, practice articulating your ideas clearly. Prepare examples of how you've turned ambiguity into clear direction for teams, as effective communication is key in this position.

✨Prepare for Technical Questions

Brush up on your knowledge of frontend and backend technologies, especially Next.js, Node, and AWS. Expect technical questions that assess your understanding of cloud-native architecture and how you ensure architectural integrity.

✨Demonstrate Leadership and Mentorship

Think of instances where you’ve mentored others or led architecture reviews. Be prepared to discuss how you uplifted team performance and contributed to a culture of continuous improvement, as this will resonate well with MOO's values.

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