Principal Software Architect

Role details

Principal Software Architect Description - HP is seeking a Principal Software Architect to define and guide the architecture of modern software platforms within HP’s device and services ecosystem. This role will provide technical leadership across client applications, backend services, cloud integrations, device interfaces, enterprise workflows, AI-enabled capabilities, and production-scale software systems. In this role, you will help shape an incubation effort within HP’s PC ecosystem experience. You will work directly with customers to understand real-world needs, incorporate feedback into product and technical direction, and architect new edge AI-enabled experiences that have the potential to define the next generation of intelligent PCs and peripherals. The ideal candidate is a highly accomplished, hands-on software leader with a demonstrated track record of architecting, building, and successfully shipping production-grade AI/ML-enabled products. Relevant experience may span several of the following areas: Large language models, generative AI, and agentic systems Speech, audio, and conversational AI Computer vision and multimodal AI Edge AI, local inference, and model optimization Cloud-native and distributed AI platforms Embedded systems and device-integrated software Robotics, autonomous systems, or intelligent device control This individual will combine deep system-level expertise with hands-on technical credibility and the ability to translate ambiguous product, customer, and business requirements into practical architecture strategies and executable implementation roadmaps The architect must be able to communicate effectively with engineering teams and executive audiences, develop compelling technical and product narratives, build organizational support for new ideas, and advocate for the products and platforms they help create. This role requires strong system-level thinking, hands-on technical credibility, and the ability to translate ambiguous business, product, and engineering requirements into practical architecture strategies and implementation roadmaps. You will partner closely with software engineering, UX, product management, hardware engineering, security, manageability, validation, DevOps, systems engineering, and executive stakeholders to deliver high-quality software platforms that support long-term product evolution, operational reliability, and differentiated customer experiences. Key Responsibilities Define and own the end-to-end architecture for complex, AI-enabled software platforms spanning client applications, backend services, cloud workflows, local device interactions, connected hardware, and enterprise integrations. Establish the architectural principles, system boundaries, design patterns, and technology choices required to deliver scalable, secure, reliable, maintainable, high-performance, and extensible platforms. Lead the architecture of AI/ML capabilities, including generative AI experiences, LLM and agentic workflows, retrieval-augmented generation, embeddings, model orchestration, inference services, traditional machine learning, and edge AI execution. Design production-ready AI/ML systems with robust approaches for evaluation, experimentation, model and prompt versioning, telemetry, monitoring, feedback loops, responsible AI, safety controls, and operational governance. Align architecture across local applications, cloud services, enterprise identity, device management platforms, connected devices, firmware-adjacent interfaces, and backend systems. Define and address critical non-functional requirements, including security, privacy, compliance, performance, resiliency, auditability, manageability, diagnostics, deployment readiness, and supportability. Maintain strong hands-on technical engagement through prototyping, architecture and code reviews, technical investigations, performance analysis, and resolution of high-impact engineering challenges. Guide senior engineers and technical leads, raising standards for architecture, code quality, testing, design documentation, technical decision-making, and software lifecycle practices. Produce and maintain clear architecture artifacts, including system diagrams, architecture decision records, integration specifications, technical roadmaps, risk assessments, and platform evolution plans. Evaluate emerging technologies, AI/ML frameworks, cloud services, and enterprise platforms, recommending adoption based on customer value, technical fit, risk, and long-term viability. Influence executive and cross-functional stakeholders by clearly communicating technical strategy, architectural trade-offs, risks, dependencies, technical debt, and recommended investment priorities Education and Experience Bachelor’s or Master’s degree/ PhD in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Electrical Engineering. 10+ years of software engineering experience, including significant experience designing and delivering complex software platforms, distributed systems, enterprise applications, cloud-connected products, or device-integrated software solutions. 5+ years of experience in a technical leadership, architecture, principal engineer, staff engineer, or equivalent role. Knowledge and Skills Deep experience designing end-to-end software architectures spanning frontend applications, backend services, desktop applications, cloud platforms, APIs, data systems, device interfaces, and enterprise integrations. Strong technical depth in one or more frontend technologies such as Angular, React, TypeScript, JavaScript, HTML, and CSS . Strong backend and systems development experience with languages such as C++, Rust, Python, C#, Node.js, Go , or similar. Experience with LLMs, Vision Language, and speech models Experience defining architecture for Windows desktop applications, companion applications, background services, system tray applications, OS-integrated applications, or software that interacts with local