Application Architect

DGH Recruitment; West of England; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Application Architect role based in Bristol within a global law firm. You will lead the technical design of the off-the-shelf application estate, focusing on integration and enterprise service bus architectures using cloud technologies.

You will evalutate new solutions, deliver high-level designs and participate in workshops with project teams. The role requires TOGAF experience, familiarity with Elite/Intapp/iManage, and strong M365/cloud knowledge to drive secure, scalable architectures.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years' IT applications engineering/architecture experience.
• Experience with EA frameworks such as TOGAF.
• Experience with Elite, Intapp, Workday, iManage (Cloud, Work 10) and other legal systems.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft M365 and public/hybrid cloud (Azure, AWS).
• Understanding of Linux/Windows, middleware, and containers (Kubernetes, Docker).
• Ability to communicate with stakeholders and partner with business teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical design of the firm's application estate and integration architecture.
• Provide high‑level designs and estimates for investment mandates.
• Run technical workshops and translate business needs into solutions with Business Analysts.
• Analyze technology to recommend scalable, secure, cost‑effective designs.
• Collaborate with IT Security and Infrastructure Architects to meet security requirements.
• Own the applications roadmap, best practices, and documentation.

Skills

Architecture design

TOGAF

Cloud computing

Stakeholder engagement

Legal tech

Kubernetes

Docker

VMware

Education

Bachelor's degree in IT or related field

Tools

TOGAF

Elite

Intapp

Workday

iManage Cloud

Azure

AWS

VMware

Cisco

Linux

Windows

Kubernetes

Docker

Job description

A fantastic opportunity has arisen for an Application Architect to join a Bristol based global law firm.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the technical design of the firm's off-the-shelf application estate, including integration and enterprise service bus architecture using cloud technologies.
• Evaluate novel solutions and provide high-level designs and estimates for investment mandates prior to project initiation.
• Run technical workshops and deliver technical specifications to project teams, translating business needs into solutions alongside Business Analysts.
• Analyse technology and processes to recommend designs that improve service, lower costs and define acceptance and adoption criteria with stakeholders.
• Work with the IT Security and Infrastructure Architects to meet Cyber Essentials Plus requirements.
• Own the applications roadmap, architectural best practices and documentation, addressing obsolescence, security, scalability and performance.

Key Experience

• Minimum of 3 years' IT applications engineering/architecture experience; technical bachelor's degree or equivalent.
• Certified in, or good experience using, EA frameworks such as TOGAF.
• Experience with Elite, Intapp, Workday, iManage (Cloud, Work 10) and other legal systems, including legal innovation technology.
• Deep understanding of Microsoft M365 and public/hybrid cloud (Azure, AWS, VMware, Cisco), plus on-prem infrastructure and networking fundamentals.
• Knowledge of hypervisors (VMware, Hyper‑V), Linux and Windows, middleware (app servers, web servers, databases) and containers (Kubernetes, Docker).
• Strong analytical, communication and business partnering skills, with services sector experience, ideally legal, professional or financial services.