Want to know if this job is worth applying to?
Canada
Remote only
This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Principal Experience Architect based in Canada.
This is a strategic, systems-focused design role shaping how users experience a complex, multi-product digital ecosystem. You will define the underlying structures that connect products, user journeys, navigation, information architecture, and cross-product interactions. Working across design, product, and engineering, you will help teams make decisions that remain coherent as the ecosystem evolves. The role combines strategic influence with hands-on design work when foundational experience challenges require direct involvement. You will create frameworks, models, and patterns that make complex experiences easier for teams to understand and build upon. This is an opportunity to influence high-impact products while working in a collaborative, mission-driven, remote-first environment.
Own and evolve the end-to-end product interaction model and information architecture across a broad product ecosystem, including navigation systems, role and permission models, taxonomies, and product terminology.
Design and improve cross-product experiences spanning multiple user types, identifying broken handoffs, conflicting mental models, unnecessary complexity, and opportunities for simplification.
Create and maintain experience maps, service blueprints, architectural diagrams, design patterns, and other artifacts that help teams understand and navigate the broader product ecosystem.
Serve as a strategic design advisor, contributing to major product decisions with a focus on long-term coherence, scalability, and user needs.
Partner closely with product designers, product managers, engineering leaders, technical architects, and other stakeholders to establish shared approaches to complex experience challenges.
Develop lightweight governance frameworks, guidelines, and review processes that help product teams align with broader experience architecture without creating unnecessary barriers to delivery.
Influence teams through coaching, collaboration, clear communication, and strong design rationale rather than relying on formal authority.
Step into hands-on design work when necessary, including prototyping, wireframing, and redesigning foundational experiences such as navigation, onboarding, account management, and role management.
Use AI-enabled design tools to improve efficiency and accelerate research, exploration, prototyping, and design execution.
Balance immediate product delivery needs with longer-term ecosystem planning and identify architectural opportunities before they become larger experience challenges.
Adapt responsibilities and priorities as organizational, product, and user needs evolve.
12+ years of experience in product design, UX architecture, UX strategy, information architecture, or a closely related discipline.
Demonstrated expertise in information architecture, ecosystem design, multi-platform interaction models, and systems-level product design.
Proven ability to understand complex product ecosystems and translate that understanding into practical structures, frameworks, maps, and models that other teams can use.
Strong visual, interaction, and structural design capabilities, with the ability to move between strategic architecture and detailed execution when required.
Significant experience working across products with multiple user types, roles, and permission structures, such as enterprise, B2B2C, marketplace, or platform environments.
Strong cross-functional influence skills, with a track record of aligning designers, product managers, engineers, and technical stakeholders without relying on formal reporting authority.
Excellent communication and storytelling skills, including the ability to make complex architectural concepts understandable and compelling to both design professionals and executive or non-design audiences.
Experience developing frameworks, design patterns, governance approaches, or other mechanisms that promote consistency across distributed product teams.
Experience working effectively in ambiguous, fast-changing environments where priorities may shift and teams must balance strategic planning with tactical delivery.
Familiarity with K-12 education, education technology, school district structures, or other regulated or high-stakes environments is preferred but not required.
Strong cross-cultural competency, including self-awareness, openness to different perspectives, and the ability to contribute to inclusive and collaborative working environments.
A growth mindset and willingness to both learn from others and share knowledge through mentoring, coaching, and collaboration.
High emotional intelligence, low-ego collaboration, maturity, curiosity, and a proactive approach to identifying information and relationships needed to move work forward.
Genuine interest in education, learning experiences, and understanding how people learn and interact with digital products.
Comfortable working within a strong product vision while balancing immediate delivery requirements with longer-term experience architecture.
Willingness to contribute hands-on when projects require additional design support or move beyond their original scope.
Experience using AI-enabled design tools and workflows is expected.
A portfolio is required and should demonstrate relevant experience architecture, information architecture, ecosystem design, or cross-product experience work. Applications without a portfolio link or attachment, including a password where required, may not be considered.
Competitive annual compensation of approximately CAD $245,471–$276,155 for candidates based in Canada.
Remote-first working environment with flexibility designed around employees' time zones.
Generous paid time off to support rest, personal needs, and overall well-being.
Eight scheduled Wellness Days in 2026, providing additional long-weekend opportunities.
Generous parental leave.
Comprehensive insurance coverage, including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
Retirement savings plan with a 4% matching contribution.
Opportunities for professional development, continuous learning, and knowledge sharing.
Opportunities to participate in affinity, ally, and social groups that foster connection and community.
The opportunity to contribute design expertise to high-impact products serving learners and educators.
A collaborative environment that emphasizes inclusion, professional growth, autonomy, and meaningful work.
Support for reasonable accommodations during the hiring process where needed.
A mission-driven workplace focused on improving access to high-quality education.
