Principal Software Architect

Job Description

..
The Principal Software Architect is responsible for developing and actively contributing to the technical vision and architectural strategy for our multi-language, multi-territory website, the booking and licensing system, and integrations with third-party systems such as ERP, CRM, online payment platforms, Lab, and other business-critical services.
This role plays a critical part in ensuring that our technology solutions are scalable, secure, and aligned with our business goals.
The architect will guide cross-functional teams in designing modern, efficient, and maintainable platforms, supporting both product innovation and operational excellence, while also continuously improving and optimizing existing systems and architectures.
Your Role Accountabilities…
• Refine and evolve the overall architecture of key software systems, ensuring scalability, performance, and security.
• Lead architectural design sessions, code reviews, and technical decision-making across development teams.
• Work hands-on with existing platforms to refactor, optimize, and modernize legacy systems and integrations.
• Collaborate with stakeholders across product, engineering, data, and infrastructure to translate business requirements into technical solutions.
• Evaluate and introduce new technologies, frameworks, and design patterns where appropriate.
• Act as a technical mentor and advisor to developers and engineering leads; foster best practices and continuous improvement.
• Oversee system integrations, APIs, and data models to ensure interoperability across platforms and services and data migration.
• Support Agile ceremonies, development planning, and team velocity tracking in collaboration with product and project managers.
• Ensure systems comply with data protection, security (including cybersecurity standards), and performance requirements.
• Contribute to the definition of disaster recovery, scalability, and system reliability plans.
• Engage with vendors and external partners when needed to assess and support third-party systems or services.

Qualifications & Experience...
• Proven experience in software architecture, with hands-on experience building and maintaining large-scale systems.
• Expertise in system design, microservices, API architecture, and cloud-native applications (e.g., AWS, Azure).
• Strong background in maintaining and evolving existing software platforms and legacy systems.
• Proficiency in multiple programming languages and frameworks.
• Experience in CI/CD, IaC, DevOps, and Agile development environments.
• Strong understanding of software lifecycle, secure coding practices, and application monitoring/performance tuning.
• Experience with data modelling, metadata systems, or rights/licensing systems is a plus, especially in media or content businesses.
• Excellent communication skills with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• A strategic mindset with attention to detail and a hands-on problem-solving approach.
• Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
Hybrid Working - This role is advertised as a Hybrid work model, that combines remote and in-office work, following our current company policy and to be agreed with your Line Manager. Subject to any applicable laws, WBD / your Line Manager reserves the right to change this working agreement where this is essential to business needs and upon reasonable notice to you.

Championing Inclusion at WBD
Warner Bros. Discovery embraces the opportunity to build a workforce that reflects a wide array of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences. Being an equal opportunity employer means that we take seriously our responsibility to consider qualified candidates on the basis of merit, regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, disability or any other category protected by law.
If you're a qualified candidate with a disability and you require adjustments or accommodations during the job application and/or recruitment process, please visit our accessibility page for instructions to submit your request.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-233n8m-216-73-216-174-42 in your application.