Principal Architect

Location: Plano, TX, United States

Job Family: Architecture

About the Role

At JP Morgan Chase, we are at the forefront of financial innovation, powering the world's most important financial services with cutting-edge technology. As a Principal Architect in our Architecture category, based in Plano, TX, you will provide expertise and architecture excellence to enhance, build, and deliver market-leading technologies across the firm. This role is pivotal in shaping the technological foundation that supports our global operations in investment banking, consumer banking, and asset management, ensuring our solutions are secure, scalable, and compliant with stringent financial regulations. In this senior leadership position, you will collaborate with executive stakeholders, engineering teams, and product owners to architect resilient systems that handle massive transaction volumes and real-time data processing. Your responsibilities will include defining enterprise-wide architectures for cloud-native applications, integrating emerging technologies like AI and blockchain into our financial platforms, and leading governance processes to uphold JP Morgan Chase's commitment to innovation and risk management. You will drive the adoption of best practices in microservices, DevOps, and cybersecurity, while mentoring teams to foster a culture of technical excellence. Joining JP Morgan Chase means becoming part of a dynamic team that values diversity, inclusion, and professional growth. This role offers the opportunity to influence the future of finance through groundbreaking technology, with access to world-class resources and a supportive environment in our state-of-the-art Plano campus. If you are a visionary architect passionate about transforming the financial services industry, we invite you to bring your expertise to our firm and help shape tomorrow's banking landscape.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and architect scalable, secure technology solutions that support JP Morgan Chase's core banking, investment, and asset management platforms
• Collaborate with senior stakeholders to define technical roadmaps aligned with business objectives and regulatory requirements
• Lead the evaluation and integration of emerging technologies to enhance market-leading capabilities across the firm
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to engineering teams, ensuring architecture excellence and best practices
• Oversee the development of reference architectures for cloud-native applications in financial services
• Conduct architecture reviews and risk assessments to mitigate potential vulnerabilities in high-volume transaction systems
• Drive innovation by prototyping and piloting new solutions for data analytics, AI-driven trading, or digital asset management
• Ensure compliance with JP Morgan Chase's security standards and contribute to firm-wide architecture governance
• Partner with global teams to deliver seamless, resilient systems that support 24/7 financial operations
• Monitor industry trends and recommend architectural improvements to maintain competitive edge in fintech

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field; advanced degree preferred
• 10+ years of experience in software architecture, design, and development within financial services or technology sectors
• Proven track record of leading large-scale technology initiatives in a global financial institution
• Deep expertise in cloud computing platforms such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud, with a focus on secure, scalable architectures
• Strong understanding of regulatory compliance standards including GDPR, SOX, and financial industry-specific regulations
• Experience with agile methodologies and DevOps practices in high-stakes environments
• Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams including engineering, product, and risk management

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree or MBA in a technology or finance-related discipline
• Certification in enterprise architecture (e.g., TOGAF) or cloud architecture (e.g., AWS Solutions Architect)
• Prior experience at a major financial institution like JP Morgan Chase or similar
• Knowledge of blockchain, AI/ML integration in financial systems, or cybersecurity frameworks
• Demonstrated leadership in mentoring junior architects and driving innovation in fintech

Required Skills

• Enterprise architecture design and modeling (e.g., UML, ArchiMate)
• Cloud platforms (AWS, Azure) and microservices architecture
• Java, Python, or Scala for backend development in financial systems
• API design and integration using RESTful services or GraphQL
• Data management and analytics tools (e.g., Hadoop, Spark, SQL)
• Cybersecurity principles and secure coding practices
• Agile/Scrum methodologies and CI/CD pipelines
• Financial domain knowledge (e.g., trading systems, risk modeling)
• Leadership and communication skills for stakeholder engagement
• Problem-solving and strategic thinking in complex environments
• DevOps tools (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes, Jenkins)
• Machine learning frameworks for AI integration in finance
• Regulatory compliance and audit experience
• Project management and cross-team collaboration
• Innovation mindset for fintech advancements

Benefits

• Competitive base salary and performance-based annual bonuses
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with generous company matching
• Paid time off, including vacation, sick days, and parental leave
• Professional development opportunities, including tuition reimbursement and leadership training
• Employee stock purchase plan and financial wellness programs
• On-site fitness centers, wellness initiatives, and mental health support
• Relocation assistance for eligible positions in Plano, TX

JP Morgan Chase is an equal opportunity employer.