Lead Architect – Platform Innovation & Design/Lead

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About the Role

We are seeking a highly capable and strategic Innovation & Design Lead within Platform Engineering to drive design‑led innovation across our core technology platforms. This role focuses on shaping the future state of enterprise platforms, translating complex technical and business challenges into modern, scalable and user‑centered solutions.

Reporting directly to Sr. Manager – Storage Engineering/Innovation & Design, the Innovation & Design Lead will partner closely with platform, infrastructure, cloud and application teams to accelerate platform modernization, drive strategic direction on x86 technologies and enable long‑term technology strategy. The Innovation & Design Lead will work closely with a highly technical peer who shares responsibility for compute and platform engineering, as well as two additional leads accountable for the storage and data protection platforms.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead innovation and design initiatives aligned to Platform Engineering priorities, from problem framing through conceptualization, prototyping, validation and delivery.
• Apply design thinking and human‑centered design principles to large‑scale platform and infrastructure challenges.
• Partner with platform, infrastructure, cloud, and application teams to shape modern, resilient and scalable platform solutions.
• Drive platform modernization initiatives, including architectural evolution, tooling improvements and experience‑focused platform design.
• Facilitate technical discovery sessions, and vendor led information workshops with cross‑functional stakeholders.
• Leverage deep understanding of enterprise compute, virtualization and platform ecosystems to inform solution design.
• Develop and deliver executive‑ready presentations, clearly articulating problem statements, options, trade‑offs, risks and recommendations.
• Tailor messaging and materials for executive audiences, translating technical complexity into concise, decision‑focused narratives.
• Champion a culture of experimentation, continuous learning and modern platform practices.
• Contribute to the evolution of platform innovation frameworks, reference architectures and design standards.
• Present proposed solution architecture and designs for approval at Architecture Review Boards and Technical Design Review forums.
• Evaluate and evolve platform standards, presenting recommendations to the appropriate review and approval bodies.

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in innovation, design, platform engineering, or enterprise technology roles.
• Strong grounding in design thinking and service design applied in complex technical environments.
• Hands‑on experience with enterprise hypervisors, including:
  • VMware and/or Nutanix (required)
  • Experience with other hypervisors (e.g., Hyper‑V, KVM) considered an asset.
• Solid understanding of compute platforms, including:
  • Experience with Dell and/or HPE hardware (beneficial).
• Proven experience supporting or leading platform modernization initiatives.
• Proven ability to document, coordinate and execute POCs across multiple internal teams and external vendors from initiation to completion.
• Demonstrated ability to present to executive audiences, including tailoring content for clarity, depth, and decision‑making needs.
• Strong facilitation, stakeholder management, and storytelling skills.
• Ability to navigate ambiguity and operate effectively at both strategic and hands‑on levels.
• Experience with cloud platforms (public, private, or hybrid) and cloud‑enabled operating models.
• Familiarity with platform engineering practices, including self‑service platforms, developer experience, and automation.
• Experience with agile, lean, or experimentation methodologies.
• Background in large‑scale enterprise transformation or modernization programs.
• Demonstrated ability to influence outcomes without formal authority.

Why This Role?

• High‑impact role within Platform Engineering, shaping future‑state platforms.
• Direct engagement with senior and executive leadership.
• Opportunity to influence both technology direction and engineering culture.
• Broad enterprise visibility without large‑scale people management responsibilities.

The above represents BMO Financial Group’s pay range and type.

Salaries will vary based on factors such as location, skills, experience, education, and qualifications for the role, and may include a commission structure. Salaries for part-time roles will be pro-rated based on number of hours regularly worked. For commission roles, the salary listed above represents BMO Financial Group’s expected target for the first year in this position.

BMO Financial Group’s total compensation package will vary based on the pay type of the position and may include performance-based incentives, discretionary bonuses, as well as other perks and rewards. BMO also offers health insurance, tuition reimbursement, accident and life insurance, and retirement savings plans. To view more details of our benefits, please visit: https://jobs.bmo.com/global/en/Total-Rewards

About Us

At BMO we are driven by a shared Purpose: Boldly Grow the Good in business and life. It calls on us to create lasting, positive change for our customers, our communities and our people. By working together, innovating and pushing boundaries, we transform lives and businesses, and power economic growth around the world.

As a member of the BMO team you are valued, respected and heard, and you have more ways to grow and make an impact. We strive to help you make an impact from day one – for yourself and our customers. We’ll support you with the tools and resources you need to reach new milestones, as you help our customers reach theirs. From in-depth training and coaching, to manager support and network-building opportunities, we’ll help you gain valuable experience, and broaden your skillset.

To find out more visit us at https://jobs.bmo.com/ca/en.

BMO is committed to an inclusive, equitable and accessible workplace. By learning from each other’s differences, we gain strength through our people and our perspectives. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. To request accommodation, please contact your recruiter.

Note to Recruiters: BMO does not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from a candidate. Any unsolicited resumes sent to BMO, directly or indirectly, will be considered BMO property. BMO will not pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume. A recruiting agency must first have a valid, written and fully executed agency agreement contract for service to submit resumes.