Lead Platform Engineer - API Platform

ABOUT THE ROLE
We are looking for a Lead Platform Engineer to join our API Platforms (HAPI) team at H&M Group. In this role, you will be a senior technical leader with deep, hands-on expertise in API platforms, responsible for evolving and scaling one of H&M's most critical technology platforms.

You will play a central role in shaping the future of our API platform, including the consolidation of multiple API Management instances, modernization of CI/CD pipelines, and significant improvements to developer experience and time-to-market. This is a strategically important, highly senior role, focused on platform depth rather than enterprise-wide solution architecture.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Lead the technical design and evolution of H&M's central API platform (HAPI)
• Own and drive the technical roadmap for API platform pipelines and onboarding
• Design and implement target architecture to consolidate multiple API Management instances into a unified platform
• Provide deep technical guidance on API Management, gateways, onboarding flows, and platform governance
• Lead modernization and optimization of CI/CD pipelines supporting API lifecycle management
• Improve developer experience and time-to-market, reducing friction for internal engineering teams
• Balance centralized governance with decentralized API ownership across teams
• Work hands-on where valuable (PoCs, experimentation, platform improvements) while keeping a strong strategic focus
• Act as a technical mentor and guide for platform engineers without formal people management
• Collaborate closely with the Engineering Manager and Lead Technical Architect to shape strategy and execution

WHO YOU'LL WORK WITH
You will work within the API Platforms (HAPI) team, a small, highly specialized group responsible for building and evolving H&M Group's central API platform. The team partners closely with hundreds of internal engineering teams who publish and consume APIs across global digital, retail, and e-commerce domains. You will collaborate day-to-day with the Engineering Manager, a Lead Technical Architect, and senior platform engineers, as well as security, cloud, and operations teams who ensure the platform remains secure, resilient, and scalable. The API Platforms team plays a central role in major digital initiatives and supports multiple H&M Group brands, making collaboration, technical credibility, and strong stakeholder engagement essential to success in this role.

WHO YOU ARE

We are looking for people with...

Experience & leadership

• 8-10+ years of experience in platform engineering, API platforms, or infrastructure engineering
• Proven experience owning and delivering large-scale platform modernization initiatives
• Demonstrated success in consolidating or modernizing complex platform ecosystems
• Strong track record of defining and maintaining platform standards and guardrails
• Ability to lead through technical credibility, ownership, and influence

Must-have technical experience

• Strong, hands-on experience with Azure API Management (architecture, governance, scaling)
• Deep understanding of API platforms, gateways, and enterprise API patterns
• Proven experience modernizing and optimizing CI/CD pipelines at scale
• Solid knowledge of cloud-native platforms on Azure (GCP experience is a strong plus)
• Experience working with legacy platforms while building modern, greenfield solutions
• Good understanding of security, compliance, and governance for API platforms

Way of working

• Strategic and pragmatic-able to balance long-term vision with real-world constraints
• Comfortable working in a small, high-impact team with high ownership
• Strong communicator, able to explain complex platform topics clearly
• Collaborative mindset; thrives working closely with other senior technical leaders
• Willing to be hands-on when it adds value, without being a delivery-focused IC role

Technical Skills & Competencies

• Advanced platform and API architecture experience
• Azure (required) | GCP (highly valued)
• API Management platforms (e.g. Azure API Management, Kong)
• CI/CD pipeline architecture and orchestration
• Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, Bicep, ARM)
• Kubernetes, Docker, container-based architectures
• Centralized and decentralized platform models
• Developer portals, onboarding flows, and API lifecycle tooling
• Strong security and governance awareness for enterprise platforms

Preferred Qualifications

• Azure certifications (AZ-305, AZ-400)
• Experience with API platform consolidation strategies
• GitOps practices and tools
• Event-driven and enterprise integration patterns
• Experience improving developer experience at scale

WHO WE ARE
H&M Group is a global company with strong fashion brands and ventures. Our goal is to prove that there is no compromise between exceptional design, affordable prices, and sustainable solutions. We want to liberate fashion for the many, and our customers are at the heart of every decision we make.

We are made up of thousands of passionate and talented colleagues united by our shared culture and values. Together, we use our scale and knowledge to push the fashion industry towards a more inclusive and sustainable future.

WHY YOU'LL LOVE WORKING HERE

• At H&M Group, we are proud to be a vibrant and welcoming company. We offer our employees attractive benefits with extensive development opportunities around the globe.
• All our employees are included in our H&M Incentive Program (HIP)
• Staff discount usable across all H&M Group brands, in stores and online
• Work-life balance, 30 days' vacation, and wellness allowance of 4000 SEK/year
• Access to Benify for discounts on gym memberships, travel, hotels, and more
• Compensation boost during parental leave

JOIN US

Our uniqueness comes from a combination of many things - our inclusive and collaborative culture, our strong values, and opportunities for growth. But most of all, it is our people who make us who we are.

This is a full-time, permanent position, starting as soon as possible according to agreement. The role is hybrid, based in Stockholm, Sweden, where close collaboration with stakeholders is an important part of the role.

Apply by submitting your CV in English as soon as possible. Due to data policies, we only accept applications through our career page.

We are committed to a recruitment process that is fair, equitable, and based on competency. We therefore kindly ask you not to attach a cover letter.

Take the next step in your career together with us. The journey starts here. We are eager to meet you!

Location
Årstaängsvägen, Stockholm, Sweden