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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Principal Architect, Enterprise Architecture - **Company:** American Express Company - **Location:** New York, NY, United States - **Salary:** $219,000.0 - $338,250.0 - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, Computer Engineering, Distributed Systems, Payment Systems, Industry Standard Architecture, Machine Learning, Software Architecture, Software Engineering, Systems Architecture, Working Model 2D, Cloud Platform System, IT Architecture, Generative AI, Agentic-AI, Information Technology, Low Latency - **Published:** October 26, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.indeed.com/viewjob?jk=db1eac342259c650 ## About the Role The successful candidate will combine deep architecture expertise with hands-on knowledge of modern AI systems. This individual must be able to operate at both strategic and technical levels, influence across a highly matrixed organization, and communicate complex technology decisions clearly to senior leaders. The successful candidate must also have builder and management competencies, so as to be able to demonstrate the value of a proposed architecture via Prototypes or scaled production implementations. This emphasis builds upon the current role's expectations around thought leadership, architectural reviews, enterprise standards, AI and automation, and horizontal influence. * 15+ years of progressive experience in technology architecture, software engineering, or a comparable discipline within a large-scale, complex environment such as: * Demonstrated experience designing and delivering enterprise-grade platforms, products, or technology capabilities. * Deep knowledge of large-scale system architecture, including distributed systems, APIs, cloud-native platforms, data-intensive applications, and hybrid technology environments. * Bachelor's degree in computer science, computer science engineering, or related field required; advanced degree preferred. * Experience defining or implementing enterprise AI architecture, including generative AI, machine learning, intelligent automation, or agentic systems. * Deep understanding of production-grade and scalable AI system considerations, including scalability, latency, reliability, security, observability, evaluation, lifecycle management, and cost optimization. * Experience creating reference architectures, reusable patterns, technical standards, architecture decision records, and engineering guardrails. * Experience in creating OKRs, ROIs, and Architectural assessments. * Experience with development and governance of architecture standards, guidelines and Architecture Decision Records (ADRs). * Experience from leading technology or AI-forward organizations, with the ability to bring external perspectives and translate emerging innovations into enterprise-scale solutions. * Proven ability to influence senior leaders, architects, engineers, product teams, and governance functions across a complex, matrixed organization. * Demonstrated ability to operate as a horizontal technical leader and complex platform and technical product manager, influencing multiple teams and domains without direct ownership, and driving alignment across matrixed organizations. * Demonstrated ability for outcome-oriented leadership, including managing large and complex programs driving time and budget constraints. Employment eligibility to work with American Express in the U.S is required as the company will not pursue visa sponsorship for these positions ## Description We are seeking a highly technical and forward-thinking Principal Architect to lead AI-enabled architecture strategy focused on areas such as: * Agentic Security and Agentic Platform Enablement, including MCP ecosystem * AI-led Global Servicing and Conversational Technology * Low-Latency and Critical Payment platforms API and Architectural Best Practices * In addition to technical areas, the Principal Architect will also support Business-Unit architecture led initiatives for the Global Servicing and Technology and International Card Services organizations. Operating horizontally across the portfolio of areas that Enterprise Architecture supports, this leader will shape how AI and agentic capabilities are incorporated into platforms, products, and architectural decisions. The Principal Architect will establish reference architectures, reusable patterns, engineering guardrails, and evaluation practices that enable teams to adopt AI securely, responsibly, and at enterprise scale. This role will partner with technology leaders, engineers, architects, product teams, domain experts, and enterprise governance functions to identify and prioritize high-impact opportunities. The Principal Architect will influence technical direction, challenge existing approaches, and help translate emerging AI capabilities into practical solutions that improve automation, customer and colleague experiences, operational efficiency, resilience, and system performance., We back our colleagues with the support they need to thrive, professionally and personally. That's why we have Amex Flex, our enterprise working model that provides greater flexibility to colleagues while ensuring we preserve the important aspects of our unique in-person culture. Depending on role and business needs, colleagues will either work onsite, in a hybrid model (combination of in-office and virtual days) or fully virtually. US Job Seekers - Click to view the " Know Your Rights " poster. If the link does not work, you may access the poster by copying and pasting the following URL in a new browser window: https://www.eeoc.gov/poster.