Principal Platform Architecture

Our Purpose
Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in 200+ countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we're helping build a sustainable economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payments choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realize their greatest potential.
Title and Summary
Principal Platform Architecture
Overview
Infrastructure Design Services is a team of Technology Architects and Engineers responsible for defining and governing the enterprise infrastructure architecture to meet application, platform, and system needs in alignment with Mastercard's operational standards and principles.
As a Principal Platform Architect, you will provide thought leadership and set the strategic direction for infrastructure architecture across multiple domains. You will engage early in the analysis and design phases, partnering with application teams and other critical stakeholders to ensure that infrastructure and application architectures adhere to Mastercard's security, scalability, and availability standards.
The primary deliverable is the Technical Architecture Document (TAD), which articulates the end-to-end infrastructure design for complex applications, platforms, or systems.
This role demands deep expertise in internet fundamentals, including web servers, application servers, internet security, and emerging technologies. You will lead the design and delivery of enterprise-grade infrastructure solutions that meet global business, product, and service requirements.
Role
Define and drive the strategic infrastructure architecture vision for Mastercard's platforms and systems.
Generate and validate high-level requirements, collaborating with architects, engineers, application teams, and business stakeholders to ensure alignment with enterprise standards.
Produce and maintain architectural artefacts such as TADs, technical models, and logical flows, ensuring they remain current and authoritative.
Act as the technical authority for resolving complex architectural and operational challenges impacting global infrastructure performance and availability.
Research, evaluate, and recommend emerging technologies for adoption within Mastercard's infrastructure ecosystem.
Provide architectural governance and oversight for major initiatives, ensuring compliance with security, scalability, and resilience principles.
Lead enterprise-wide initiatives, influencing design patterns and best practices across regions and teams.
Drive innovation in infrastructure design, leveraging automation, cloud-native principles, and modern deployment methodologies.
All About You
Expert-level knowledge of network architecture, operating systems, and web middleware.
Deep understanding of internet infrastructure design, web administration, and enterprise-scale systems.
Advanced expertise in load balancers, web application firewalls, and security frameworks.
Strong knowledge of database technologies, cloud platforms, and Zero Trust Architecture principles.
Experience with YAML-based deployments and modern infrastructure-as-code practices.
Strategic thinker with the ability to influence at all organisational levels.
Exceptional communication and collaboration skills, with proven ability to lead cross-functional teams.
High degree of initiative, self-motivation, and ability to drive results in complex environments.
Skills & Abilities
Demonstrates technical leadership and architectural vision.
Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills for enterprise-scale challenges.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver under pressure.
Rapid learner of emerging technologies and trends.
Excellent collaboration skills across diverse, geographically distributed teams.
Customer-focused mindset with a commitment to delivering high-quality solutions.
Mastercard is a merit-based, inclusive, equal opportunity employer that considers applicants without regard to gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, disabled or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We hire the most qualified candidate for the role. In the US or Canada, if you require accommodations or assistance to complete the online application process or during the recruitment process, please contact [email protected] and identify the type of accommodation or assistance you are requesting. Do not include any medical or health information in this email. The Reasonable Accommodations team will respond to your email promptly.
Corporate Security Responsibility
All activities involving access to Mastercard assets, information, and networks comes with an inherent risk to the organization and, therefore, it is expected that every person working for, or on behalf of, Mastercard is responsible for information security and must:

• Abide by Mastercard's security policies and practices;
• Ensure the confidentiality and integrity of the information being accessed;
• Report any suspected information security violation or breach, and
• Complete all periodic mandatory security trainings in accordance with Mastercard's guidelines.

In line with Mastercard's total compensation philosophy and assuming that the job will be performed in Canada, the successful candidate will be offered a competitive pay based on location, experience and other qualifications for the role and may be eligible to participate in a discretionary annual incentive program. This posting reflects one or more current openings on our team.
Pay Ranges
Toronto, Canada: $150,000 - $234,000 CAD