Lead Solution Architect

BAE Systems - UK; Barrow-in-Furness; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense contractor in Barrow-in-Furness seeks a Lead Solution Architect to optimise architecture solutions for its submarine programme. Candidates should have experience as a CAD or PLM Consultant with substantial communication skills. The role offers a competitive salary package, including flexible working arrangements and a range of employee benefits. Closing date for applications is 8th October 2025.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Enhanced annual leave allowance

Company contributed Share Incentive Plan

Employee assistance programme

Cycle2work

Employee discounts

Potential annual incentive

Qualifications

• Experience as a CAD or PLM Consultant/Architect supporting large engineering programmes.
• Familiarity with architecture repository toolsets.
• Ability to communicate effectively at business change events.

Responsibilities

• Optimise architecture solutions against various objectives.
• Influence stakeholders from Directors to Subject Matter Experts.
• Design and implement effective enterprise level solutions.
• Integrate solutions into existing manufacturing processes.
• Evaluate technologies and vendors for programme needs.
• Resolve complex technical issues with partners.
• Develop and maintain enterprise architecture frameworks.
• Manage governance processes for architectural compliance.

Skills

CAD or PLM Consultant/Architect experience

Experience with architecture repository tools

Communication at all levels

Experience with JIRA and Confluence

SAP and PE&O product suite experience

Tools

Enterprise Architect

SIEMENS CAD & PLM software

Job description

Overview

Job Title: Lead Solution Architect

Location: Barrow-in-Furness. We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements – please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role

Salary: From £70,000 dependent on experience, plus car allowance and bonus on top

Responsibilities

• Optimise architecture solutions against schedules, scope, sequence, requirements, strategic objectives, cost elements and supportability
• Influencing at all levels from Director to Subject Matter Experts, whilst leveraging a team of experts and leading other architects to help gain agreement of architectures and solutions
• Design and implement enterprise level solutions leveraging the latest SIEMENS CAD & PLM software
• Integrate into existing CAM, MES and ERP solutions supporting quality, testing, construction and manufacturing processes
• Evaluate and select appropriate technologies and vendors to meet BAE'S Submarine programme needs
• Work with technology and software partners to resolve complex technical issues
• Develop and maintain an enterprise architecture frameworks, aligning business demand and strategy to industry proven practice, solution components and decisions
• Manage governance processes to ensure that the Solution build matches architectures and design review quality criteria

Your skills and experiences

Essential:

• Hold experience as either a CAD or PLM Consultant/Architect with broad understanding and experience of designing and implementing solutions to support large engineering programmes
• Have previously used an architecture repository toolset such as Enterprise Architect and an Architecture modelling framework
• Have an ability to communicate at all levels and at business change communication events

Desirable:

• Have used JIRA and Confluence supporting agile delivery methodologies or similar collaboration technologies
• Experience of SAP and PE&O product suites or similar for use on large manufacturing projects

Benefits

You’ll receive benefits including a competitive pension scheme, enhanced annual leave allowance and a Company contributed Share Incentive Plan. You’ll also have access to additional benefits such as flexible working, an employee assistance programme, Cycle2work and employee discounts – you may also be eligible for an annual incentive.

The IT Architecture Team

By joining the team, you will have a fantastic opportunity to be heavily involved in our largest Submarine programme and work with our external partners to support in the invention/creation of the submarine design and build. The shipyard has senior commitment and ambition to strengthen the submarine design discipline exploiting digital thread capabilities to improve business performance. The role will be part of the team inventing this future capability. We offer relocation support packages across all Submarines roles, subject to meeting eligibility criteria

Why BAE Systems?

This is a place where you’ll be able to make a real difference. You’ll be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity of thought, rewards integrity, and merit, and where you’ll be empowered to fulfil your potential. We welcome people from all backgrounds and want to make sure that our recruitment processes are as inclusive as possible. If you have a disability or health condition (for example dyslexia, autism, an anxiety disorder etc.) that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks

Closing Date: 8th October 2025

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.