Principal Architect

We are looking for a Principal Architect to lead our technology strategy in AI (Artificial Intelligence), Generative AI, IA (Intelligent Automation) and agentic solution development.

As a vital force driving the strategic and technical evolution of the Global Streaming Platform, this role empowers the organisation to harness ground-breaking advancements in AI, including Large Language Models (LLMs), agent workflows, and machine learning infrastructures. By seamlessly integrating these cutting-edge technologies into secure, scalable, and high-performance enterprise solutions, the Principal Architect will enable transformative growth and ensure the company maintains its position as a world-class leader.

This role requires deep knowledge in AI and IA technologies, strong architectural skills, and a strategic approach to recommend tailored platform transformations and deliver advanced AI solutions to maintain the business at its world class position.

What you'll do:

Architectural Leadership:

• Oversee the comprehensive architecture strategy for developing and deploying AI applications and solutions, considering data management, cybersecurity, legal aspects, appropriate platform and infrastructure adaptation and third-party vendor selection and integration.

• Recommend the tailored level of transformation required within the current platform to adapt and exploit at scale the adoption of AI based technologies guaranteeing cost efficiency, reliability, performance and security

• Design and maintain an AI extension to the platform as an integrated technology stack, independent of any specific vendors but capable of integrating with major AI models and third-party commodities, for porting self-serving AI in-house developed solutions

• Contribute to the AI roadmap and identify AI driven efficiency, innovation or automation opportunities maintaining alignment with business goals, regulatory or compliance requirements and ethical principles.

Solution Design:

• Partner with product and engineering teams to translate business requirements into scalable AI solutions.

• Lead the evaluation, selection, and integration of AI platforms and models, tools, and technologies.

• Ensure optimized integration of AI solutions with existing systems and data sources.

Technical Expertise:

• Collaborate with the product teams to assist in the refinement of AI related product requirements, and to provide early, high-level advice on opportunities and possible solutions

• Stay current with emerging AI trends, technologies, protocols, research breakthroughs, model development and AI software design pattern and best practices

• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to the engineering teams.

Collaboration and Communication:

• Foster strong relationships with stakeholders, including business leaders, product managers

• Collaborate with senior leadership to align AI initiatives with organizational goals.

• Communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders effectively.

• Promote a collaborative and innovative AI culture within the whole organisation

• Work closely with project managers, data scientists, developers and IT teams to define project scope, objectives, deliverables and solutions

• Partner with the FinOps team to ensure implementation of adequate monitoring and budgetary guardrails

• Work closely with the procurement and legal team in the negotiations with vendors.

Governance and Compliance:

• Establish governance and define internal standards, guidelines, and best practices to ensure data privacy, security, and ethical use of AI.

• Ensure compliance with industry standards and international regulations.

What you'll bring:

• Advanced degree in Computer Science, AI, or a related field.

• Contributions to open-source AI projects or published research in AI/ML.

• Extensive experience in software or systems architecture, with strong focus in AI/ML domains.

• Proven experience designing and deploying AI solutions using frameworks such as LangChain, RAG, and vector databases or the MCP protocol.

• Deep understanding of LLMs, prompt engineering, model evaluation, and fine-tuning strategies.

• Strong proficiency in ML frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch) and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP).

• Experience with AI infrastructure components including model gateways, orchestration layers, and observability tools.

• Familiarity with AI governance, data privacy, international regulation and ethical AI frameworks.

• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

The rewards

There's one thing people can't stop talking about when it comes to #LifeAtSky: the perks. Here's a taster:

• Sky Q, for the TV you love all in one place

• The magic of Sky Glass at an exclusive rate

• A generous pension package

• Private healthcare

• Discounted mobile and broadband

• A wide range of Sky VIP rewards and experiences

Team Overview:

Global   Streaming   Platform   team within Global Product  develop  and   supports   market-leading   video   streaming services, underpinned by state-of-the-art engineering principles. We do this at huge scale: for over 50 million customers globally, spanning NBCUniversal, Peacock, Sky, NOW, SkyShowtime and Showmax. No matter the device, the time or the place, we make sure that our diverse audiences can easily find and enjoy whatever they want to watch, choosing from the world's best entertainment, news and sport.

Inclusion & how you'll work:

Recognised by The Times and Stonewall, we take pride in our approach to diversity and inclusion. Investing in society, fighting racial injustice and setting ambitious targets for representation at Sky.

We've embraced hybrid working and split our time between unique office spaces and the convenience of working from home. You'll find out more about what hybrid working looks like for your role later on in the recruitment process.

Your office space:

Osterley

Our Osterley Campus is a 10-minute walk from Syon Lane train station. Or you can hop on one of our free shuttle buses that run to and from Osterley, Gunnersbury, Ealing Broadway and South Ealing tube stations. There are also plenty of bike shelters and showers.

On campus, you'll find 13 subsidised restaurants, cafes, and a Waitrose. You can keep in shape at our subsidised gym, catch the latest shows and movies at our cinema, get your car washed, and even get pampered at our beauty salon.

We'd love to hear from you

Inventive, forward-thinking minds come together to work in Tech, Product and Data at Sky. It's a place where you can explore what if, how far, and what next.

But better doesn't stop at what we do, it's how we do it, too. We embrace each other's differences. We support our community and contribute to a sustainable future for our business and the planet.

If you believe in better, we'll back you all the way.

Just so you know: if your application is successful, we'll ask you to complete a criminal record check. And depending on the role you have applied for and the nature of any convictions you may have, we might have to withdraw the offer.