UX Architect, Principal

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: UX Architect, Principal

Company: Pacific Gas And Electric Company

Location: Oakland, CA

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Information Technology / Enterprise Architecture / UX Design

Date Posted: 2026-07-13

Experience Level: Principal (10+ years)

Remote Status: Hybrid

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead the definition, design, and governance of end-to-end user experiences across SAP S/4HANA platforms for both back-office and field/mobile workforces.

• Establish and enforce comprehensive UX standards, reusable design patterns, and robust governance frameworks to ensure consistency and intuitiveness.

• Architect role-based experiences, simplifying complex SAP transactions into intuitive workflows, and integrating UX seamlessly across SAP, GIS, and Field Mobility systems.

• Drive user research, usability testing, and journey mapping initiatives to foster a deep understanding of user needs and inform design decisions.

• Champion adoption, training, and change management efforts to ensure successful implementation and utilization of new UX solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is positioned as a Principal Architect, indicating a high level of strategic influence, technical leadership, and responsibility for defining the architectural vision for user experience within SAP S/4HANA. The focus on bridging Business Architecture and Enterprise Architecture highlights the strategic importance of this role in aligning technology solutions with business objectives.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Define and execute the SAP UX strategy and roadmap, ensuring alignment with overarching enterprise goals and digital transformation initiatives.

• Establish and maintain comprehensive UX standards, governance policies, and a library of reusable design patterns to ensure consistency and efficiency across SAP S/4HANA implementations.

• Design intuitive, role-based user experiences tailored for diverse personas, encompassing both back-office professionals and field/mobile workforces.

• Lead the architectural design and implementation of SAP Fiori applications and SAP Build Work Zone solutions, optimizing for usability and business process efficiency.

• Architect offline-capable, mobile-first field experiences that simplify complex SAP transactions into streamlined, intuitive workflows for field personnel.

• Drive the integration of user experiences across critical systems, including SAP S/4HANA, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and Field Mobility solutions, to create a cohesive digital ecosystem.

• Conduct thorough user research, usability testing, and journey mapping exercises to gather insights, validate design concepts, and continuously improve the user experience.

• Develop and implement effective adoption, training, and change management strategies to ensure successful user onboarding and maximize the benefits of new UX solutions.

• Collaborate with Business Architects and Technology Architects to contribute to future-state planning, road mapping activities, and capability assessments within the SAP ecosystem.

• Actively participate in and contribute to the governance processes defined by the PG&E Architecture Practice, ensuring adherence to architectural standards and best practices.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities emphasize a blend of strategic architecture, hands-on design leadership, and a strong focus on user-centricity, particularly for field operations. The integration with GIS and Field Mobility systems is a critical aspect for a utility company like PG&E, indicating a need for deep understanding of these domains.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Business, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience. Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in SAP UX design, enterprise architecture, or a closely related technical domain, with a proven track record of delivering complex solutions. Required Skills:

• Deep expertise in SAP S/4HANA user experience design principles and best practices.

• Proven experience with SAP Fiori (including Elements and Freestyle methodologies) for enterprise application development.

• Strong command of SAP Build Work Zone for designing integrated digital experiences.

• Proficiency in designing and architecting mobile-first, offline-capable solutions for field workforces.

• Experience integrating UX across diverse enterprise systems, including SAP, GIS, and Field Mobility platforms.

• Solid understanding of API and event-driven architecture patterns for seamless system integration.

• Demonstrated ability in conducting user research, usability testing, and creating user journey maps.

• Experience in defining and implementing UX standards, governance, and reusable design patterns.

• Strong stakeholder engagement, communication, and leadership skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams.

• Familiarity with IT methodologies and architectural deliverables. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with SAP S/4HANA transformations and large-scale system implementations.

• Strong expertise in SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) services and integration patterns.

• Familiarity with scheduling, dispatch, and other Field Mobility solutions relevant to the utilities industry.

• Experience in the utilities or other asset-intensive industries, understanding their unique operational challenges.

• Knowledge of field operations and safety-critical workflows, with an emphasis on user safety and efficiency.

• Experience in large-scale business and technology transformation programs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Principal" level designation, coupled with the 10+ years of experience requirement and desired qualifications like SAP S/4HANA transformation and utilities industry experience, suggests a senior architect role expected to provide strategic direction and technical leadership.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Showcase end-to-end UX design process for complex enterprise applications, ideally within an SAP S/4HANA context.

• Present case studies demonstrating the design of role-based interfaces, with a clear emphasis on simplifying workflows for back-office and field users.

• Include examples of mobile-first and offline-capable design solutions, highlighting considerations for field environments.

• Demonstrate experience with SAP Fiori and SAP Build Work Zone, illustrating the application of these technologies in real-world scenarios.

• Highlight contributions to UX strategy, roadmap development, and the establishment of design governance and standards. Process Documentation:

• Provide examples of user research methodologies, usability testing plans, and the resulting insights that informed design decisions.

• Document the process of simplifying complex business transactions into intuitive user workflows, illustrating the iterative design and validation steps.

• Showcase how cross-system integration (e.g., SAP with GIS, Field Mobility) was architected from a UX perspective, ensuring a seamless user journey.

• Detail the approach to developing and implementing UX standards, governance frameworks, and reusable design patterns within an enterprise setting.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Principal UX Architect role, a portfolio is crucial. It should not only display finished designs but also the strategic thinking, process, and impact behind them. The emphasis should be on how the candidate translated complex business requirements into user-centric, efficient, and scalable SAP UX solutions.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

• Bay Area Min: $155,000.00 USD per year

• Bay Area Mid: $210,000.00 USD per year

• Bay Area Max: $265,000.00 USD per year

Explanation of Range: The provided salary range of $155,000 to $265,000 USD annually for the Oakland, CA area reflects the typical compensation for a Principal-level UX Architect in the technology sector, particularly within a large enterprise like PG&E. This range accounts for the extensive experience (10+ years), specialized SAP S/4HANA and UX architecture skills, and the strategic nature of the role. The actual offer will be determined by factors such as internal equity, specific candidate qualifications, education, and market conditions.

Benefits:

• Eligibility for PG&E’s discretionary incentive compensation programs.

• Comprehensive benefits package (specifics typically include health insurance, retirement plans, paid time off, etc., which are standard for large corporations but not detailed in the provided text). Working Hours:

• Standard full-time work hours, likely 40 hours per week, with a hybrid work arrangement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The salary range provided is explicit and segmented by Bay Area minimum, midpoint, and maximum. The note clarifies that the actual salary will fall between the minimum and midpoint, based on various factors. The inclusion of "discretionary incentive compensation programs" suggests potential for performance-based bonuses.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Utilities / Energy / Information Technology

Company Size: Large Enterprise (PG&E is one of the largest utility companies in the US, employing tens of thousands of people). This scale implies complex organizational structures, significant IT investments, and a focus on robust, reliable systems.

Founded: 1905 (PG&E has a long history, indicating stability and deep roots in its operating region, with a mature IT landscape and established processes.)

Team Structure:

• The role sits within the Information Technology department, specifically within Information Systems Technology Services. This suggests a large, potentially matrixed IT organization with various specialized teams.

• The UX Architect acts as a liaison between Business Architecture and Enterprise Architecture & Strategy, indicating a central, strategic position within the IT organization.

• Collaboration is expected with project managers, Business Architects, Technology Architects, and potentially development teams and business stakeholders.

• The emphasis on "Communities within the practice" and "Mentors other architects" points to a collaborative and knowledge-sharing environment within the architecture team. Methodology:

• Adherence to the IT Methodology is required, suggesting structured project management and architectural governance processes.

• Emphasis on defining and following PG&E's Architecture Practice, indicating a mature approach to architecture management.

• Focus on "efficient, standards-based architecture supporting PG&E's business goals."

• The role involves creating and utilizing multiple Architectural Views to document "as-is" and "to-be" states.

Company Website: https://www.pge.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: For a large, established utility company, the IT culture is likely to be process-driven, with a strong emphasis on stability, security, and compliance. The UX Architect role bridges technology and business, requiring strong communication and influence skills to navigate this environment.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: Principal Architect. This level signifies a senior individual contributor role with significant strategic influence, technical leadership, and the ability to mentor others. It's a position of expertise and authority in the SAP UX and Enterprise Architecture domain.

Reporting Structure:

• The role reports within the Information Technology department, likely to a Director or VP of Architecture or IT Services.

• While a direct manager is not specified, the role involves collaboration with various architects, project managers, and business stakeholders across different organizational units.

• The emphasis on mentoring suggests a potential for leadership within architect communities. Operations Impact:

• This role has a direct impact on the efficiency, productivity, and user satisfaction of thousands of employees across back-office and field operations.

• By simplifying complex SAP processes and enhancing the user experience, the architect contributes to improved operational efficiency, reduced training costs, enhanced data accuracy, and potentially improved safety outcomes for field workers.

• The strategic definition of SAP UX ensures that technology investments align with business goals, driving digital transformation and supporting PG&E's mission. Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership within Architecture: Progression to higher architectural leadership roles (e.g., Chief Architect, Enterprise Architecture Lead) or management roles within IT Strategy.

• Specialization: Deepening expertise in specific areas like SAP BTP, advanced mobile UX, or digital transformation strategy within the utilities sector.

• Mentorship and Practice Development: Leading architectural communities, developing best practices, and mentoring junior architects, contributing to the overall maturity of the IT organization.

• Cross-Functional Influence: Expanding influence across business units to drive user-centric design principles throughout the organization's digital initiatives.

📝 Enhancement Note: The "Principal" title implies that significant growth opportunities will focus on strategic impact, thought leadership, and potentially leading architectural domains rather than traditional hierarchical management.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work arrangement. This means a combination of remote work and in-office presence. The job specifies working from the remote office and Oakland, CA approximately 3 days per week, or more, based on business needs. This suggests that collaboration and face-to-face interaction are valued for key meetings, workshops, and team syncs.

Office Location(s): Oakland, CA. This location is a major hub for PG&E operations.

Workspace Context:

• The workspace in Oakland is likely a corporate office environment within a large utility company. Expect professional settings, potentially with collaborative spaces, meeting rooms, and standard office amenities.

• As a hybrid role, candidates will need to be comfortable working independently and productively from a home office, while also being prepared for in-office days that may involve significant collaboration.

• Access to standard corporate IT infrastructure, security protocols, and potentially specialized design tools will be provided. Work Schedule:

• Standard full-time work schedule (likely 40 hours/week).

• The hybrid nature allows for some flexibility in managing workdays between home and office, but in-office days are dictated by business needs, suggesting a requirement for availability and presence on specific days.

📝 Enhancement Note: The hybrid model with a specified number of office days per week is a key aspect. Candidates should be prepared for this structure and understand that flexibility may be required based on project demands or company needs.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of the application and resume to assess against minimum and desired qualifications, with a focus on SAP UX, enterprise architecture experience, and specific technical skills.

• Technical Interview(s): In-depth discussions focusing on SAP S/4HANA UX, Fiori, Work Zone, mobile-first design principles, and architectural strategy. Expect scenario-based questions and deep dives into past projects.

• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session where candidates present their portfolio, showcasing case studies of SAP UX designs, process improvements, and strategic contributions. This is a critical stage for demonstrating practical application of skills.

• Behavioral/Cultural Fit Interview: Assessment of leadership potential, collaboration style, problem-solving approach, and alignment with PG&E's values and IT culture, likely involving senior architects or IT leadership.

• Final Interview: Potentially with senior IT executives to discuss strategic alignment and overall fit for the Principal Architect role.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Structure: Organize your portfolio by key projects, highlighting your role, the business problem, your design process, the solutions implemented (especially SAP Fiori/Work Zone), and the measurable impact (e.g., user adoption, efficiency gains, satisfaction scores).

• SAP Focus: Clearly demonstrate your expertise in SAP S/4HANA UX, SAP Fiori (Elements/Freestyle), and SAP Build Work Zone. Show how you've simplified complex SAP processes.

• Field & Mobile: Include specific examples of designing for mobile-first and offline-capable field applications, addressing the unique challenges of field work.

• Strategy & Governance: Showcase instances where you defined UX strategy, established standards, and participated in architectural governance.

• Metrics & Impact: Quantify the success of your designs whenever possible. Use metrics related to user adoption, task completion time, error reduction, or user satisfaction.

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for case study discussions where you might be asked to outline your approach to a specific SAP UX challenge, such as redesigning a critical back-office process or improving the mobile experience for field technicians.

• Practice articulating your design decisions, explaining the rationale behind your choices, and defending them with user research and best practice principles.

• Prepare to discuss how you would establish UX standards and governance within a large, complex organization like PG&E.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on a portfolio review and specific case studies for a Principal Architect role underscores the need for candidates to clearly articulate their strategic thinking and practical application of SAP UX principles, especially in a utility context.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• SAP Fiori: Expertise in SAP Fiori Elements and Freestyle development for enterprise applications.

• SAP Build Work Zone: Proficiency in leveraging this platform for unified digital experiences.

• SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP): Understanding of BTP services and integration patterns is crucial for extending SAP capabilities.

• Mobile Development/Design Tools: Experience with tools for designing and potentially prototyping mobile-first and offline-capable applications.

• UX Design & Prototyping Tools: Proficiency in industry-standard tools such as Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, or similar for wireframing, prototyping, and user flow design.

Analytics & Reporting:

• User Analytics Tools: Familiarity with tools that track user behavior within SAP Fiori applications to inform design iterations.

• Reporting/Dashboarding Tools: Ability to interpret and potentially contribute to reports on UX adoption, usability metrics, and system performance.

CRM & Automation:

• SAP S/4HANA: Deep understanding of the core SAP S/4HANA system and its modules relevant to enterprise and field operations.

• GIS Systems: Familiarity with how UX integrates with Geographic Information Systems, common in utility companies.

• Field Mobility Solutions: Knowledge of platforms used for field service management, dispatch, and data collection.

• API & Integration Platforms: Understanding of how to integrate SAP UX with other enterprise systems via APIs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The core technical stack revolves around SAP's UX technologies. Proficiency with SAP Fiori, SAP Build Work Zone, and SAP BTP is non-negotiable. Awareness of GIS and Field Mobility integration is a significant differentiator for this role in the utility sector.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Efficiency and Reliability: As a utility, PG&E prioritizes stable, reliable, and efficient operations. This translates to a demand for robust, well-architected IT solutions that minimize downtime and errors.

• User-Centricity: The role emphasizes defining and delivering intuitive user experiences, indicating a growing value placed on user satisfaction and productivity within the IT department.

• Data-Driven Decision Making: The role involves user research and analysis, suggesting an organizational value placed on using data to inform architectural and design choices.

• Collaboration and Integration: The need to bridge business and enterprise architecture, and integrate across multiple systems, highlights a value for cross-functional teamwork and a holistic approach.

• Innovation within Standards: While innovation is encouraged, it must occur within established architectural standards and governance frameworks, reflecting a balance between progress and stability.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Partnership: The role requires close collaboration with Business Architects, Enterprise Architects, Project Managers, and potentially business unit representatives to understand needs and translate them into technical UX solutions.

• Mentorship and Knowledge Sharing: The expectation to mentor other architects and lead communities indicates a culture that values sharing expertise and fostering collective growth.

• Process-Oriented: Given the nature of PG&E, collaboration likely follows established processes and methodologies, with a focus on clear documentation and communication.

• Feedback Integration: The emphasis on user research and testing implies a culture that is open to feedback and uses it for continuous improvement of solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a large utility company, the culture will likely be professional, structured, and focused on long-term impact and reliability. The UX Architect needs to be adept at navigating this environment while advocating for user-centric design.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Innovation with Legacy Systems: Integrating modern SAP UX (Fiori, Work Zone) with potentially older or complex existing systems at PG&E.

• Field User Adoption: Designing intuitive and effective experiences for a diverse field workforce with varying technical literacy and demanding work conditions.

• Cross-System Complexity: Architecting seamless UX across SAP S/4HANA, GIS, and various Field Mobility solutions, each with its own constraints and user paradigms.

• Establishing UX Governance: Implementing and enforcing UX standards and governance in a large, established enterprise where established practices may already exist.

• Demonstrating ROI: Quantifying the impact of UX improvements in terms of productivity, safety, and cost savings for a utility operation.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepen SAP Expertise: Gain advanced knowledge in SAP BTP, SAP Mobile Services, and emerging SAP UX technologies.

• Industry-Specific UX: Develop specialized expertise in UX design for the utilities and asset-intensive industries, understanding unique workflows and safety requirements.

• Enterprise Architecture Strategy: Grow into broader enterprise architecture roles, influencing technology strategy beyond just the SAP UX domain.

• Leadership Development: Enhance skills in leading architectural communities, mentoring teams, and driving strategic initiatives within IT.

• Continuous Learning: Stay abreast of evolving UX design trends, methodologies, and technologies, applying them to the SAP ecosystem.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are directly tied to the complex environment of a large utility company and the specific technologies involved. Growth opportunities align with advancing expertise and leadership within the architecture domain.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe your approach to defining an SAP UX strategy for a large enterprise like PG&E, considering both back-office and field users." (Preparation: Focus on phased roadmaps, stakeholder alignment, and key metrics.)

• "How would you establish and enforce UX standards and governance across multiple SAP S/4HANA projects and teams?" (Preparation: Discuss process, tools, and enforcement mechanisms, emphasizing collaboration.)

• "Walk us through a complex business process you simplified using SAP Fiori or a similar interface. What was your process, and what was the outcome?" (Preparation: Use the STAR method, highlighting user research, design iterations, and quantifiable results.) Company & Culture Questions:

• "What do you know about the challenges and opportunities facing the utility industry from a technology and UX perspective?" (Preparation: Research PG&E's current initiatives, industry trends, and the role of technology in modern utilities.)

• "How do you balance user needs with enterprise architecture standards and business constraints?" (Preparation: Emphasize your collaborative approach and ability to find optimal solutions.)

• "Describe a time you had to influence stakeholders to adopt a new UX approach or technology." (Preparation: Focus on communication, data-driven persuasion, and building consensus.) Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Highlight SAP S/4HANA & Fiori: Dedicate significant time to showcasing your SAP UX work. Clearly explain your role in the design and architecture of Fiori applications and Work Zone implementations.

• Mobile-First & Field Focus: Present at least one case study specifically detailing your work on mobile-first or offline-capable solutions for field users. Emphasize the unique challenges and solutions.

• Process & Strategy: Don't just show screens; explain your process from discovery and research through to implementation and iteration. Detail your contributions to UX strategy and governance.

• Quantify Impact: Whenever possible, present metrics demonstrating the success of your designs (e.g., adoption rates, task completion times, user satisfaction scores, error reduction).

• Tailor to PG&E: Frame your examples to resonate with the utility industry and PG&E's likely challenges (e.g., field operations, system integration, regulatory compliance).

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview preparation advice is tailored to the Principal Architect level, emphasizing strategic thinking, deep technical expertise in SAP UX, and the ability to influence stakeholders within a large enterprise.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this operations position:

• Submit your application through the official PG&E careers portal via the provided URL.

• Portfolio Customization: Curate your professional portfolio to prominently feature your SAP S/4HANA UX architecture experience, SAP Fiori design examples, and any work related to mobile-first or field solutions. Prioritize case studies demonstrating process simplification and strategic impact.

• Resume Optimization: Ensure your resume clearly highlights your 10+ years of relevant experience, specific SAP technologies (Fiori, Work Zone, BTP), enterprise architecture contributions, and any utility industry exposure. Use keywords from the job description naturally.

• Interview Preparation: Practice articulating your approach to SAP UX strategy, governance, and user research. Prepare detailed examples using the STAR method for behavioral questions and be ready to walk through your portfolio with confidence.

• Company Research: Gain a thorough understanding of Pacific Gas And Electric Company's mission, values, and current technological landscape, particularly how IT supports their utility operations. Research common challenges in the utility sector that technology and UX can address.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.