Abbott

Principal Software Architect Pleasanton, CA / Sunnyvale, CA

Abbott$130K — $261K *
Healthcare
11 - 15 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science or related field, advanced degree preferred.
  • 15+ years of software engineering experience, including cloud architecture roles.
  • 6+ years of experience designing cloud-native platforms on Microsoft Azure.
  • Proven track record delivering large-scale SaaS products across diverse business domains.
  • Extensive experience with Azure services and enterprise-scale platform design.

Responsibilities

  • Define and own architectural vision and technology strategy for a cloud-native platform.
  • Architect scalable, secure, and resilient distributed systems for high transaction volumes.
  • Lead architecture for microservices using domain-driven design and event-driven ecosystems.
  • Design architecture for web, mobile applications, APIs, and IoT device systems.
  • Establish enterprise-wide architecture principles focusing on security and operational excellence.

Benefits

  • Health and wellness benefits supporting work-life balance and family well-being.
Full Job Description
JOB DESCRIPTION:

The Opportunity

The Principal Architect is responsible for defining and governing the architecture strategy for a large-scale, multi-product cloud-native platform on Microsoft Azure. This role provides technical leadership across multiple engineering teams and products, ensuring platform scalability, security, reliability, interoperability, and operational excellence.

The architect will define the target architecture for a highly distributed ecosystem consisting of microservices, web applications, mobile applications, IoT device connectivity, APIs, event-driven integrations, data platforms, and AI-enabled capabilities. The role drives architectural consistency, engineering standards, technology strategy, and long-term platform evolution while partnering closely with product, engineering, operations, security, and executive leadership teams.

What You'll Work On

  • Define and own the architectural vision, roadmap, standards, and technology strategy for a multi-product cloud-native platform running on Microsoft Azure.
  • Architect highly scalable, resilient, secure, and observable distributed systems supporting millions of transactions and connected devices.
  • Lead architecture for event-driven microservices ecosystems using domain-driven design (DDD), API-first design, CQRS, and asynchronous messaging patterns.
  • Design platform architecture supporting Web UI applications (Angular/React), Mobile Applications (iOS/Android), APIs, and IoT device ecosystems.
  • Architect secure ingestion, processing, and management of high-volume IoT device traffic and telemetry at scale.
  • Define reference architectures, architectural guardrails, reusable frameworks, and engineering standards across multiple product teams.
  • Establish enterprise-wide architecture principles covering security, scalability, availability, maintainability, compliance, performance, and cost optimization.
  • Lead architectural decisions involving Azure PaaS and cloud-native services including:
    • Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS)
    • Azure API Management
    • Azure Service Bus
    • Azure Event Hub
    • Azure IoT Hub
    • Azure Functions
    • Azure Cosmos DB
    • Azure SQL
    • Azure Blob Storage
    • Azure Cache for Redis
    • Azure Entra ID
    • Azure Monitor and Application Insights
  • Architect multi-region, highly available, disaster recovery capable solutions with clearly defined RTO and RPO objectives.
  • Drive platform modernization initiatives, cloud adoption strategies, and migration of legacy systems to modern cloud-native architectures.
  • Ensure consistent implementation of DevSecOps, Infrastructure as Code, GitOps, CI/CD, and platform engineering practices.
  • Review solution architectures across teams and provide governance through architecture reviews and design authorities.
  • Define API governance, data governance, integration patterns, and interoperability standards.
  • Partner with security teams to implement Zero Trust architecture principles, threat modeling, and secure software development practices.
  • Collaborate with product management and engineering leadership to align business objectives with technical strategy.
  • Establish platform observability standards including monitoring, logging, tracing, telemetry, and operational analytics.
  • Evaluate emerging technologies, AI/ML capabilities, and industry trends to drive innovation and business value.
  • Mentor senior engineers, architects, and technical leaders while fostering architectural excellence across the organization.


Required Qualifications

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Information Systems, or related field. Advanced degree preferred.

Experience
  • 15+ years of software engineering experience, including significant experience in enterprise and cloud architecture roles.
  • 6+ years designing and architecting cloud-native platforms on Microsoft Azure.
  • Proven experience architecting and delivering large-scale SaaS products serving multiple business domains and customer segments.
  • Demonstrated success leading architecture for complex distributed systems consisting of:
    • Microservices
    • Web applications
    • Mobile applications
    • IoT-connected systems
    • Data platforms
    • Event-driven integrations
  • Extensive experience designing enterprise-scale platforms using:
    • Java
    • Spring Boot
    • REST APIs
    • GraphQL
    • Event-driven architectures
    • Distributed messaging systems
  • Deep expertise in cloud-native design patterns including:
    • Microservices
    • Service Mesh
    • Event Sourcing
    • CQRS
    • DDD
    • Containerization
    • Kubernetes
  • Strong experience with Azure services including AKS, API Management, Event Hub, Service Bus, IoT Hub, Cosmos DB, Azure SQL, Functions, Storage Services, Redis, Monitoring, and Security services.
  • Experience architecting highly available, globally distributed systems handling high transaction volumes and significant scale.
  • Experience establishing enterprise architecture standards, governance practices, and technology roadmaps.
  • Experience leading architecture across multiple product teams and large engineering organizations.
  • Knowledge of AI/ML architecture, AI agents, intelligent automation, and modern software development lifecycle capabilities is highly desirable.
  • Experience in healthcare, regulated environments, or enterprise SaaS platforms is preferred.

Technical Expertise
  • Deep understanding of software architecture, distributed systems, scalability patterns, and cloud-native architectures.
  • Expert-level knowledge of Azure Well-Architected Framework principles and enterprise cloud design practices.
  • Strong expertise in:
    • API Architecture
    • Integration Architecture
    • Data Architecture
    • Security Architecture
    • Platform Architecture
  • Experience architecting large-scale event-driven systems leveraging messaging, streaming, and real-time processing.
  • Expertise in Kubernetes, container orchestration, platform engineering, and cloud operations.
  • Strong understanding of resiliency patterns, fault tolerance, disaster recovery, and business continuity planning.
  • Experience implementing observability frameworks including monitoring, distributed tracing, logging, and operational analytics.
  • Strong knowledge of Identity and Access Management, Zero Trust, OAuth2, OpenID Connect, and enterprise security models.
  • Expertise in performance engineering, scalability planning, capacity management, and cost optimization.
  • Familiarity with enterprise integration patterns and modern architectural governance practices.
  • Strong understanding of data privacy, compliance, and regulated software development requirements.
  • Experience creating architecture blueprints, reference architectures, technical standards, and architecture decision records.

Leadership & Soft Skills
  • Proven ability to influence executive leadership, engineering leaders, architects, and cross-functional stakeholders.
  • Exceptional communication and presentation skills with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Strong strategic thinking and ability to translate business goals into technology roadmaps.
  • Demonstrated success building alignment across multiple teams, organizations, and product portfolios.
  • Strong mentoring, coaching, and talent development capabilities.
  • Ability to drive technical excellence while balancing business priorities, delivery timelines, and operational considerations.
  • Excellent organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, global, and highly collaborative environment.
  • Ability to travel approximately 10%.
  • Consistent and reliable attendance.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Master's degree preferred

Apply Now

Learn more about our health and wellness benefits, which provide the security to help you and your family live full lives: www.abbottbenefits.com

The base pay for this position is
$130,700.00 - $261,300.00
In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted.

JOB FAMILY:
Product Development

DIVISION:
HF Heart Failure

LOCATION:
United States > Pleasanton : 5000 Franklin Dr

ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS:

WORK SHIFT:
Standard

TRAVEL:
Yes, 15 % of the Time

MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE:
No

SIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES:
Continuous sitting for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8 hour day), Continuous standing for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8 hour day)

About Abbott

Abbott Careers

Joining Abbott means becoming part of a globally diverse team dedicated to making a lasting impact on human health. As a leader in healthcare innovation, Abbott provides a dynamic workplace where careers flourish through growth, leadership, and diversity training.

Opportunities at Abbott

Explore a world of opportunities with our team. Whether you're seeking job opportunities in engineering, marketing, research, or healthcare, Abbott offers a variety of positions that allow professionals to grow their careers. Our commitment to diversity and innovation is evident in every aspect of our work, fostering an inclusive culture that values each team member's contribution.

Work You'll Do

At Abbott, every role contributes to our mission of helping people live fuller lives through better health. From groundbreaking research in medical devices to advancements in pharmaceuticals, our team is at the forefront of healthcare innovation. By joining Abbott, you are not just accepting a job; you are embarking on a path of professional and personal growth.

Internship Programs

Kickstart your career with an Abbott internship. Our programs provide invaluable industry experience and a chance to develop essential skills in a real-world setting. Interns at Abbott work on projects that matter, gaining the experience and knowledge necessary to succeed in their future careers.

Professional Development

Abbott is dedicated to the continuous professional development of its employees. With access to cutting-edge technology, leadership programs, and diversity training, our team members are equipped to lead and innovate within the healthcare industry. We support your career journey with robust training programs, mentorship, and opportunities for networking and professional growth.

Benefits and Culture

Our employees enjoy comprehensive benefits designed to support their life and well-being. From health insurance to retirement plans, we ensure our team has everything they need to thrive. Abbott's culture is built on a foundation of respect and integrity, united by a shared commitment to improving health outcomes.

Join Our Team

Discover the impact you can make with a career at Abbott. We are hiring individuals who are passionate, curious, and driven to lead. Search open positions that match your skills and interests on our Jobs page. Prepare your resume, sharpen your interview skills, and get ready to join a team that's at the cutting edge of healthcare solutions.

Stay Connected

Keep up to date with career tips, industry insights, and company news—all from the people who work here. Subscribe to our Careers Blog and personalize your subscription to receive job alerts and insider tips tailored to your preferences.

Explore Abbott

With a commitment to improving life through innovation, leadership, and diversity, Abbott is a place where you can fulfill your potential. See what exciting and rewarding opportunities await at Abbott by exploring our career opportunities today.

SEARCH ABBOTT JOBS

Join us in our mission to make the world a healthier place through innovation, leadership, and diversity. Your journey to a fulfilling career at Abbott starts here.
Learn more about Abbott
Size
113,000 employees
Market Cap
$189 billion
Industry
Net Income
$4.4 billion
Founded
1944
5 Year Trend
+15.6%
Revenue
$34.6 billion
NASDAQ

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