Principal Architect Interview Questions

Personal Introductions & Motivations
. “Tell me a bit about your career to date”
. “What motivated you to explore this opportunity?”
. “What are you looking for in your next role that perhaps you’re not getting in your current role?”

Team Structure & Maturity (Chief Architect outlines)
. “We currently have a hybrid architecture model; a small core EA team and domain architects embedded with product and engineering.”
. “We’re investing in raising the architectural bar across teams; you’d play a key role in maturing that culture.”

Architecture Challenges
. “One challenge we’re facing is fragmentation; different domains are solving similar problems in different ways.
. “There’s still a gap between business strategy and architecture outcomes; one of your core focuses would be bridging that.”

Architecture Specific Questions
• How do you define and drive technical direction across multiple domains or product lines?
• What methods do you use to ensure architectural alignment across distributed teams or department
• How do you establish and maintain architectural standards. patterns, and principles at scale?
• How do you grow and mentor other architects or senior engineers?
• Describe how you’ve worked with product and business leaders to shape a technology roadmap.
• Can you give an example of resolving conflict between architectural vision and product priorities?

Q&A
Opportunity for the Principal Architect to ask some questions:
• “What would success look like in the first 90 days?”
• “How is the architecture function currently perceived across engineering and business teams?”
• “How do you see me contributing to the cultural maturity and evolution of the architecture team?”