Lead Architect - ProdDev

"True influence comes not from control, but from clarity, consistency, and care."

We are looking for an experienced Lead Architect to guide our architectural vision and lead a multi-disciplinary team of software architects. This hands-on leadership role combines strategic technical direction with operational excellence in architectural execution.   

Who are we? 

 
Priva is a dynamic and innovative multinational company with branches on all continents and almost 600 dedicated colleagues. We are passionate about tackling global challenges like food security, energy transition, and water management. Our mission, "Creating a climate for growth," means we aim to empower our customers to thrive and make the world a better place through our solutions in horticulture and building automation.
 

At Priva, we are more than just a company; we are a warm, family-oriented community. We value listening, understanding, and giving honest feedback. We support new colleagues in finding their place and take pride in making a positive impact on our company and society. 

About the role?  
 
As Lead Architect you will be part of the Product Development department and serve as a key member of the management team. You will work closely with Product and Engineering Leadership to drive technical strategy and execution.  
 
Key Responsibilities:  

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of software architects with a strong focus on technical excellence and professional growth; 

• Define long-term architectural vision and translate it into actionable technical initiatives; 

• Own and drive the technical roadmap across all systems, ensuring alignment with business and product strategies;  

• Collaborate directly with product management and engineering teams on complex technical challenges and solutions;

• Identify and mitigate technical risks and architectural debt;

• Establish and enforce architectural standards that prioritize scalability, performance, and maintainability;

• Ensure and champion quality, reliability, security and operational excellence across all systems;

• Maintain deep technical expertise and stay current with emerging technologies and industry trends.

• 8+ years of software architecture experience with 3+ years in leadership role managing technical teams; 

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent experience;  

• Expertise in control systems and IoT setups, spanning from embedded software to cloud solutions;  

• Security experience and expertise in secure system design is a strong plus; 

• Proven experience in owning and executing technical roadmaps in complex environments; 

• Excellent communication skills with ability to present technical concepts to diverse audiences including executive leadership;  

• Strong problem-solving skills;  

• Skilled in aligning technical and business needs;

• Proven track record in leading teams through uncertainty while maintaining resilience and driving forward progress;  

• Currently living in the Netherlands.  

Preferred Qualifications 

• Strong hands-on technical skills with ability to contribute to architectural implementations; 

• Experience with regulatory compliance and security frameworks; 

• Experience in horticulture or building automation domain is a plus, but not required.  

What do we offer?  

• Opportunity to shape both the technical future and team culture at a tech company with a strong impact; 

• Competitive compensation and benefits package, including a pension plan;

• A healthy work-life balance: flexible working hours, 30 holiday days per year, with the option to purchase more;

• Healthy cafeteria options and a free on-site fitness centre with CrossFit, Pilates, Spinning classes, table tennis and football.

If you have any questions about this role, please feel free to reach out to me about this role: andy.whittle@priva.com or for example on linkedin.