Lead Solution Architect

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

Job summary

A leading defense contractor based in Barrow-in-Furness is looking for a Lead Solution Architect to optimize and implement architecture solutions for their largest submarine program. This position requires experience as a CAD or PLM Consultant/Architect, with essential skills in enterprise architecture and stakeholder engagement. You'll benefit from a competitive salary, flexible working arrangements, and a range of additional benefits, including a pension scheme and employee discounts. The closing date for applications is January 7, 2026.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Enhanced annual leave allowance

Company contributed Share Incentive Plan

Employee assistance programme

Cycle2work scheme

Employee discounts

Qualifications

• Experience in designing and implementing solutions for large engineering programmes.
• Ability to communicate effectively during business change events.
• Experience in using architecture repository and modelling tools.

Responsibilities

• Optimize architecture solutions against strategic objectives.
• Influence agreement on architectures and solutions at all levels.
• Design enterprise level solutions using latest SIEMENS CAD & PLM software.
• Integrate into existing CAM, MES and ERP solutions.
• Evaluate technologies and vendors for submarine programme needs.

Skills

CAD or PLM Consulting/Architect experience

Communication at all levels

Experience with architecture repository tools

Use of JIRA and Confluence

Tools

Enterprise Architect

SAP

PE&O product suites

Job description

Job Title

LeadSolution 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

What you’ll be doing:

• 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 framework, 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's

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: 7th January 2026

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.