Principle Architect

Wells Fargo Bank•Charlotte, NC

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Wells Fargo is seeking a Principal Architect in our Architecture & Engineering Group as part of Consumer Technology. The Core Banking Architect will lead the architecture strategy for the bank’s Core Banking Modernization program. This role is accountable for defining and driving the end‑to‑end architecture vision across a multi‑year (3+ year) transformation roadmap, while also providing hands‑on architectural leadership for in‑flight initiatives and transition activities. The architect will work in close partnership with senior business leaders, technology executives, and domain architects to ensure alignment between business outcomes, platform strategy, and execution. This role requires deep subject‑matter expertise in core banking platforms and modernization patterns, along with the ability to influence at the executive level and translate strategy into actionable guidance for delivery teams. Key responsibilities include setting architectural direction, governing design decisions, guiding vendor and platform usage, and ensuring consistency across domains, integrations, and migration efforts. The Core Banking Architect must be equally effective communicating with senior stakeholders and collaborating with on‑the‑ground engineering and delivery teams to drive successful execution. In this role, you will: Act as an advisor to senior leadership to develop the architectural framework & delivery for highly complex business and technical needs across multiple groups Lead the strategy and resolution of highly complex and unique challenges requiring in-depth evaluation across multiple areas or the enterprise, delivering products and solutions that are long-term, large-scale, and require vision, creativity, innovation, advanced analytical and inductive thinking Provide vision, direction, and expertise to senior leadership on implementing the transformation strategy describing the current state, target state, and transition architecture Develop and influence strategic plans, investment planning, and execution on cutover strategies to target Strategically engage with all levels of professionals and managers across the enterprise and serve as an architectural domain expert advisor to leadership Drive target investments towards target technologies and rationalize spend, total cost of ownership, and return on investment Ensure applications adhere to established Wells Fargo standards, policies, methodologies, and industry best practices as it transforms toward target state architecture Drive the definition, establishment, selection of strategic tools, and application of architecture frameworks Maintain knowledge of industry best practices and new technologies and recommends innovations that enhance operations or provide a competitive advantage to the organization and can influence internal and vendor roadmaps in a significant capacity

Requirements

7+ years of architecture experience, or equivalent demonstrated through one or a combination of the following: work experience, training, military experience, education
Strong understanding of architectural concepts and elements of a modern technology stack
Experience with C4 modeling
2+ years of experience with architecting solutions using leading vendor solutions and in house developed systems
Experience in Solution Architecture and one or a combination of the following: systems, applications, or architecture planning
Ability to influence across all organizational levels, particularly senior management
Knowledge and understanding of applications technology management role including managing applications development and support for multiple systems and business functions
Ability to identify key issues, involve affected parties, design solutions, obtain buy-in, and communicate effectively through resolution
Ability to be proactive, innovative, and creative in meeting customer and enterprise needs
Ability to effectively assess stakeholder, partner, or client needs while consulting, building solutions, and developing processes
Financial services industry experience
Extensive technical skills and comprehensive knowledge and understanding of an entire line of business or infrastructure sub-domain

Nice To Haves

Certification is preferred in at least one of AWS/Google/Microsoft public cloud vendors

Responsibilities

Lead the architecture strategy for the bank’s Core Banking Modernization program.
Define and drive the end‑to‑end architecture vision across a multi‑year transformation roadmap.
Provide hands‑on architectural leadership for in‑flight initiatives and transition activities.
Work in close partnership with senior business leaders, technology executives, and domain architects to ensure alignment between business outcomes, platform strategy, and execution.
Set architectural direction.
Govern design decisions.
Guide vendor and platform usage.
Ensure consistency across domains, integrations, and migration efforts.
Act as an advisor to senior leadership to develop the architectural framework & delivery for highly complex business and technical needs across multiple groups.
Lead the strategy and resolution of highly complex and unique challenges requiring in-depth evaluation across multiple areas or the enterprise, delivering products and solutions that are long-term, large-scale, and require vision, creativity, innovation, advanced analytical and inductive thinking.
Provide vision, direction, and expertise to senior leadership on implementing the transformation strategy describing the current state, target state, and transition architecture.
Develop and influence strategic plans, investment planning, and execution on cutover strategies to target.
Strategically engage with all levels of professionals and managers across the enterprise and serve as an architectural domain expert advisor to leadership.
Drive target investments towards target technologies and rationalize spend, total cost of ownership, and return on investment.
Ensure applications adhere to established Wells Fargo standards, policies, methodologies, and industry best practices as it transforms toward target state architecture.
Drive the definition, establishment, selection of strategic tools, and application of architecture frameworks.
Maintain knowledge of industry best practices and new technologies and recommends innovations that enhance operations or provide a competitive advantage to the organization and can influence internal and vendor roadmaps in a significant capacity.