Principal Architect - HR Applications

Description and Requirements
Job Title: Principal Architect - HR and Employee Engagement Applications
Location: Cary, NC
Department: Enterprise Architecture - Corporate Systems
Department Overview:
Enterprise Architecture at MetLife ensures a holistic strategy and approach to technology solutions by working broadly and globally across the company. We drive MetLife toward simplified and consistent architecture, enabling quality, agility, and cost-effectiveness. We support all areas of MetLife in developing and implementing enterprise and GTO strategies-including Business Units, Global Operations, Application Development, Information Security, Data & Analytics, and Infrastructure.
The Role:
MetLife is seeking a Principal Architect to lead enterprise and solution architecture for HR and Employee Engagement platforms. Reporting directly to the Chief Architect of Corporate Systems, this role will be responsible for delivering architectural roadmaps and solution designs aligned to HR and employee experience portfolios. The Architect will lead the design of innovative, cloud-native enterprise solutions spanning HRMS (Oracle Cloud ERP), benefits platforms, internal portals, and employee experience tools. This role will ensure alignment with enterprise strategies, standards, and roadmaps by building strong relationships across HR, Technology, and enterprise partners.
Key Responsibilities:

• Develop 3-year architectural roadmaps aligning HR strategic goals with modern enterprise architecture principles.
• Deliver secure, scalable, and fit-for-purpose solutions in an agile framework through collaboration with AppDev, HR, and engineering teams.
• Serve as the domain expert and technical authority for HR and employee engagement technologies.
• Architect and integrate solutions across Oracle Cloud ERP (HRMS), third-party benefits platforms, and internal portals.
• Leverage cloud technologies (preferably Azure) to enable PaaS-centric enterprise solutions.
• Stay current with emerging technologies and trends relevant to HR and employee experience.
• Establish and enforce architectural governance, standards, and best practices.
• Mentor junior architects and engineers, fostering technical growth and innovation.
• Evangelize modern architecture practices across the Corporate Systems domain through training, publishing, and mentoring.

Key Relationships:
Reports to: Chief Architect - Corporate Systems
Key Stakeholders: HR Technology Leadership, Corporate Systems AppDev, Enterprise Architecture, Infrastructure, Security, and Vendor Partners
Required Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, Engineering, or related technical field.
• 10+ years of experience designing and architecting enterprise business solutions.
• Deep expertise in HR systems, including ERP systems.
• Strong background in application, data, security, and infrastructure architecture.
• Hands-on experience with Agile delivery methodologies, preferably SAFe.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in the insurance or financial services industry.
• Oracle Cloud ERP (HRMS), SAP, Microsoft, and benefits platforms.
• Applied experience in data-centric HR architecture and analytics platforms.
• Experience architecting enterprise solutions using cloud technologies (IaaS, SaaS, PaaS).
• Familiarity with employee experience platforms (e.g., ServiceNow HRSD, Qualtrics, Workday integrations).
• Experience with Azure PaaS services and cloud-native HR solutions.

Location Expectation: This is a hybrid role requiring a minimum of 3 days per week in office.
The expected salary range for this position is $120,000 - $180,000. This role may also be eligible for annual short-term incentive compensation. All incentives and benefits are subject to the applicable plan terms.
Benefits We Offer
Our U.S. benefits address holistic well-being with programs for physical and mental health, financial wellness, and support for families. We offer a comprehensive health plan that includes medical/prescription drug and vision, dental insurance, and no-cost short- and long-term disability. We also provide company-paid life insurance and legal services, a retirement pension funded entirely by MetLife and 401(k) with employer matching, group discounts on voluntary insurance products including auto and home, pet, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident insurance, as well as Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and digital mental health programs, parental leave, volunteer time off, tuition assistance and much more!
About MetLife
Recognized on Fortune magazine's list of the "World's Most Admired Companies", Fortune World's 25 Best Workplaces™, as well as the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For®, MetLife, through its subsidiaries and affiliates, is one of the world's leading financial services companies; providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to individual and institutional customers. With operations in more than 40 markets, we hold leading positions in the United States, Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
Our purpose is simple - to help our colleagues, customers, communities, and the world at large create a more confident future. United by purpose and guided by our core values - Win Together, Do the Right Thing, Deliver Impact Over Activity, and Think Ahead - we're inspired to transform the next century in financial services. At MetLife, it's #AllTogetherPossible . Join us!
MetLife is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions are made without regards to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, genetic information, citizenship status (although applicants and employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States), uniformed service member or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law ("protected characteristics").
If you need an accommodation due to a disability, please email us at [email protected]. This information will be held in confidence and used only to determine an appropriate accommodation for the application process.
MetLife maintains a drug-free workplace.
$120,000 - $180,000
#BI-Hybrid