SAP Principal Enterprise Architect, S/4HANA & Digital Platforms

What if the work you did every day could impact the lives of people you know? Or all of humanity?

At Illumina, we are expanding access to genomic technology to realize health equity for billions of people around the world. Our efforts enable life-changing discoveries that are transforming human health through the early detection and diagnosis of diseases and new treatment options for patients.

Working at Illumina means being part of something bigger than yourself. Every person, in every role, has the opportunity to make a difference. Surrounded by extraordinary people, inspiring leaders, and world changing projects, you will do more and become more than you ever thought possible.

Location - Please Read Before Applying

San Diego HQ - Hybrid.

Must currently reside in the San Diego metropolitan area or be able to commute independently.

This role will require being onsite for all workshops, which will be extensive.

Position Summary

The SAP S/4HANA & Digital Platforms Enterprise Architect provides strategic and hands-on architectural leadership for enterprise-wide digital transformation initiatives, with SAP S/4HANA as the digital core, integrated with best-of-breed platforms such as Salesforce (SFDC), MES, LIMS, Vertex, SAP VIM, and other ERP and non-ERP systems.

This role is responsible for defining the future-state enterprise architecture, governing solution design, and ensuring alignment between business strategy, process design, data, integration, security, and technology platforms. Success in this role requires equal strength in technical architecture, stakeholder partnership, and influence-based leadership across business and IT.

Key Responsibilities

1. Enterprise Architecture & Strategy Leadership

• Own and evolve enterprise architecture vision, principles, standards, and roadmaps across business, application, data, and technology domains
• Develop future-state architecture and associated transition roadmaps aligned with business growth objectives
• Serve as a trusted advisor to business and IT leadership on architectural trade-offs, sequencing, and investment decisions
• Lead and participate in architecture governance forums (Design Authority, Architecture Review Boards)

2. SAP S/4HANA as the Digital Core

• Define and govern SAP S/4HANA target-state architecture as the enterprise ERP backbone
• Enforce clean-core principles, extensibility strategies (in-app vs side-by-side), and SAP best practices
• Provide architectural guidance across SAP domains including Finance, Sales, Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Quality, EAM, and EHS
• Build and maintain the ERP strategy and roadmap, including ECC-to-S/4 or multi-ERP coexistence scenarios

3. Boundary Systems & Ecosystem Architecture

• Provide architectural oversight and integration strategy for enterprise platforms, including but not limited to:

• Salesforce (SFDC) – CRM, Service, CPQ, Order-to-Cash integrations
• Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) – shop-floor execution, material consumption, genealogy
• Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) – quality, compliance, lab workflows
• Vertex – tax calculation and compliance
• SAP VIM – invoice automation and document management
• Legacy, regional, or niche ERPs during coexistence or transition

Ensure:

• Clear system-of-record ownership
• Scalable and resilient integration patterns
• Data consistency, reconciliation, and error-handling strategies

4. Integration, Data & Reporting Architecture

• Define enterprise integration strategy (API-led, event-driven, middleware-based)
• Govern integration platforms such as SAP BTP, CPI, MuleSoft, or equivalent
• Lead ERP-related integration rationalization and optimization
• Define master data ownership, governance models, and reporting strategies (real-time vs operational)
• Ensure alignment with analytics, AI/ML, and data platform needs (e.g., data lakes)

5. Solution Delivery & Transformation Enablement

• Partner with PMO, delivery leads, and system integrators across Design, Build, Test, and Deploy
• Review and approve solution artifacts (HLDs, FSDs, TSDs, integration and security designs)
• Establish and promote business capability models linking strategy, processes, systems, and data
• Identify architectural risks early and recommend mitigation strategies
• Ensure adherence to quality standards across solution design and delivery

6. Security, Compliance & Non-Functional Architecture

• Ensure solutions meet security, SOX, GxP, data privacy, and regulatory requirements
• Define and govern non-functional requirements: performance, scalability, availability, and disaster recovery
• Guide system retirement, data retention, and audit readiness strategies

7. Stakeholder, Vendor & Partner Leadership

• Build strong, trust-based relationships with business, functional, infrastructure, procurement, and IT teams
• Provide architectural direction to system integrators and SaaS vendors
• Evaluate and challenge vendor proposals and RFP responses to ensure alignment with enterprise standards
• Research and assess emerging technologies for fit within the enterprise application portfolio

Education & Experience

• Typically requires 18+ years of experience in enterprise IT architecture and solution delivery with a Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• Proven experience leading large-scale digital and ERP transformation programs
• Deep hands-on and architectural experience with SAP S/4HANA in enterprise environments

Core Technical & Architecture Expertise

• SAP S/4HANA architecture, extensibility, and integration
• Enterprise integration patterns (API, middleware, event-driven)
• Experience with:
  • Salesforce (SFDC)
  • MES and LIMS platforms
  • Finance solutions (Vertex, SAP VIM)
  • Master data management and reporting systems
  • Legacy and co-existing ERP environments
  • Cloud platforms (SAP BTP, Azure, AWS, or GCP)

Leadership & Business Architecture Skills

• Strong expertise in TOGAF, Zachman, or equivalent EA frameworks
• Hands-on experience with business capability modeling
• Ability to translate business strategy into executable architecture
• Excellent communication, influence, and consensus-building skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in Life Sciences, Manufacturing, or regulated industries
• SAP certifications (S/4HANA, Architecture, BTP)
• Experience with digital manufacturing, advanced analytics, or AI-enabled platforms
• Prior experience with ERP modernization or multi-year transformation programs
• Advanced degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field

#LI-HYBRID

The estimated base salary range for the SAP Principal Enterprise Architect, S/4HANA & Digital Platforms role based in the United States of America is: $170,600 - $255,800. Should the level or location of the role change during the hiring process, the applicable base pay range may be updated accordingly. The range reflects long‑term growth in the role. Most candidates are hired between the minimum and middle of the range. Placement depends on experience, skills, location, and internal equity. Additionally, all employees are eligible for one of our variable cash programs (bonus or commission) and eligible roles may receive equity as part of the compensation package. We offer a wide range of benefits as innovative as our work, including access to genomics sequencing, family planning, health/dental/vision, retirement benefits, and paid time off.

We are a company deeply rooted in belonging, promoting an inclusive environment where employees feel valued and empowered to contribute to our mission. Built on a strong foundation, Illumina has always prioritized openness, collaboration, and seeking alternative perspectives to propel innovation in genomics. We are proud to confirm a zero-net gap in pay, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or race. We also have several Employee Resource Groups (ERG) that deliver career development experiences, increase cultural awareness, and offer opportunities to engage in social responsibility. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to providing employment opportunity regardless of sex, race, creed, color, gender, religion, marital status, domestic partner status, age, national origin or ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, pregnancy, military or veteran status, citizenship status, and genetic information. Illumina conducts background checks on applicants for whom a conditional offer of employment has been made. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws. Background check results may potentially result in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment. The background check process and any decisions made as a result shall be made in accordance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws. Illumina prohibits the use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in the application and interview process. If you require accommodation to complete the application or interview process, please contact [email protected]. To learn more, visit: https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf. The position will be posted until a final candidate is selected or the requisition has a sufficient number of qualified applicants.