Principal Architect Consumer Lending Operations

About this role:
Wells Fargo is seeking a visionary Principal Systems Architect to shape the future of our Consumer Lending Operations technology landscape.
In this strategic and highly influential role, you will define and drive the target-state architecture across a broad ecosystem of platforms and products that power Consumer Operations. Reporting directly to the Head of Architecture for Consumer Operations, you'll serve as a trusted technical leader and an accelerator for transformation across the organization.
As Principal Systems Architect, you will partner closely with Engineering, Business, and Product leaders to architect end-to-end solutions that elevate performance, simplify complexity, and enhance customer experiences. Your work will span mission-critical domains-including Contact Center Operations, Fraud & Claims Management, Banking Operations, Servicing & Default Management, and Wholesale Operations-giving you the unique opportunity to influence the technology foundations that support millions of customers.
If you're passionate about modern architecture, thrive in large-scale transformation, and want to leave a lasting impact across a Fortune 500 enterprise, this role puts you at the center of that innovation.
In this role, you will:

• Act as an advisor to leadership to develop or influence applications, network, information security, database, operating systems, or web technologies 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 solutions that are long-term, large-scale and require vision, creativity, innovation, advanced analytical and inductive thinking
• Translate advanced technology experience, an in-depth knowledge of the organizations tactical and strategic business objectives, the enterprise technological environment, the organization structure, and strategic technological opportunities and requirements into technical engineering solutions
• Provide vision, direction and expertise to leadership on implementing innovative and significant business solutions
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Innovation - Promote a data-driven culture and drive architecture led-innovation.
• Maintain knowledge of industry best practices and new technologies and recommends innovations that enhance operations or provide a competitive advantage to the organization
• Strategically engage with all levels of professionals and managers across the enterprise and serve as an expert advisor to leadership
• Establish and drive target state architecture for Consumer Operations
• Define the target state architecture vision with forward looking Architecture principals and modern technology
• Based on understanding of current state architecture, define an architecture roadmap to realize target state
• Rationalize applications and domains in Consumer Operations with Enterprise solutions
• Adapt to and influence Consumer Operations Technology and Enterprise technology strategies
• Contribute to Consumer Operations SRE strategy and ensure that architecture patterns and frameworks uphold it
• Drive efforts to ensure resiliency, fault tolerance, and performance of Consumer Operations Technology.
• Contribute to NFR requirements and drive strategies to uphold NFR's through automation and frameworks
• Evaluate cost efficiency of the new platforms in how we develop and support software.
• Stay abreast of technology innovations and industry best practices and apply to Consumer Operations Technology solutions where valuable
• Collaborate with firm-wide security team on evolving security patterns utilized in Consumer Operations Technology solutions.
• Transform the Architecture practice

Core Responsibilities of a Principal Architect:

• Design Target State Architecture: Lead the architecture across Consumer Operations domain/subdomain platforms and products, reporting directly to the Head of Architecture for Consumer Operations
• Strategic Advisory: Act as a trusted advisor to leadership, influencing applications, network, security, database, and web technologies for complex business needs
• Problem Solving & Innovation: Resolve highly complex challenges with long-term, scalable solutions using advanced analytical and inductive thinking
• Vision & Direction: Provide architectural vision and direction to leadership, implementing innovative business solutions
• Industry Awareness: Stay current with industry best practices and recommend innovations that enhance operations or provide competitive advantage
• Enterprise Engagement: Strategically engage across the enterprise and serve as an expert advisor

Required Qualifications:

• 7+ years of architecture experience, or equivalent demonstrated through one or a combination of the following: work experience, training, military experience, education
• 7+ years of experience creating strategy

Desired Qualifications:

• 7+ years of architectural design and planning experience
• Experience in one or a combination of the following: systems, applications, or architecture planning
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to influence across all organizational levels, particularly senior management
• Ability to negotiate, influence, and collaborate to build successful relationships
• 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
• Experience with a customer service mindset and a focus on continuous improvement
• Ability to effectively assess stakeholder, partner, or client needs while consulting, building solutions, and developing processes
• Experience consulting, influencing and partnering with business executives, leadership, human resources partners and peers
• Knowledge and understanding of centralized Operations
• Financial services industry experience
• Experience with OpenShift/GCP/Azure or other cloud computing technologies
• Extensive technical skills and comprehensive knowledge and understanding of an entire line of business or infrastructure sub-domain

Job Expectations and Core Values:

• Be Humble: You're smart yet always interested in learning from others
• Work Transparently: You always deal in an honest, direct, and transparent way.
• Take Ownership: You embrace responsibility and find joy in having the answers
• Learn More: You regularly self-educate and improve your skill set.
• Show Gratitude: You show appreciation and respect to those you work with

Ability to travel up to 10% of the time.
Visa Sponsorship is not available for this role.
Pay Range
Reflected is the base pay range offered for this position. Pay may vary depending on factors including but not limited to demonstrated examples of prior performance, skills, experience, or work location. Employees may also be eligible for incentive opportunities.
$175,000.00 - $305,000.00
Benefits
Wells Fargo provides eligible employees with a comprehensive set of benefits, many of which are listed below. Visit Benefits - Wells Fargo Jobs for an overview of the following benefit plans and programs offered to employees.

• Health benefits
• 401(k) Plan
• Paid time off
• Disability benefits
• Life insurance, critical illness insurance, and accident insurance
• Parental leave
• Critical caregiving leave
• Discounts and savings
• Commuter benefits
• Tuition reimbursement
• Scholarships for dependent children
• Adoption reimbursement

Posting End Date:
17 Feb 2026
* Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.
We Value Equal Opportunity
Wells Fargo is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected characteristic.
Employees support our focus on building strong customer relationships balanced with a strong risk mitigating and compliance-driven culture which firmly establishes those disciplines as critical to the success of our customers and company. They are accountable for execution of all applicable risk programs (Credit, Market, Financial Crimes, Operational, Regulatory Compliance), which includes effectively following and adhering to applicable Wells Fargo policies and procedures, appropriately fulfilling risk and compliance obligations, timely and effective escalation and remediation of issues, and making sound risk decisions. There is emphasis on proactive monitoring, governance, risk identification and escalation, as well as making sound risk decisions commensurate with the business unit's risk appetite and all risk and compliance program requirements.
Applicants with Disabilities
To request a medical accommodation during the application or interview process, visit Disability Inclusion at Wells Fargo .
Drug and Alcohol Policy
Wells Fargo maintains a drug free workplace. Please see our Drug and Alcohol Policy to learn more.
Wells Fargo Recruitment and Hiring Requirements:
a. Third-Party recordings are prohibited unless authorized by Wells Fargo.
b. Wells Fargo requires you to directly represent your own experiences during the recruiting and hiring process.