Lead Solution Architect

IO Associates; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in the United Kingdom is looking for a Lead Solution Architect to oversee the digital manufacturing ecosystem for nuclear power stations and submarine propulsion systems. The role demands extensive experience in MES, leadership in production settings, and compliance with nuclear and defence quality standards. Ideal candidates will possess strong communication skills and a proven track record in manufacturing execution.

Qualifications

• UK National - British Citizen (no dual nationality).
• Experience in manufacturing execution, factory digitalisation, or operations transformation.
• Knowledge of nuclear & defence manufacturing quality standards.

Responsibilities

• Architect and deploy the end-to-end digital factory for nuclear-qualified components.
• Lead production readiness reviews and nuclear quality gate digitisation.
• Act as the translation layer between engineering and manufacturing operations.

Skills

Lead Solution/Enterprise Architecture

Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)

Digital thread/Model-Based Manufacturing

Stakeholder management

Knowledge of nuclear & defence manufacturing quality standards

Education

8+ years of relevant experience

Tools

ANSYS

Siemens Teamcenter/NX

PTC Windchill

SAP

Job description

Job Title:

Lead Solution Architect

Industry:

Nuclear Power & Submarines Division

Start Date:

ASAP

Employment Type:

Permanent

THE OPPORTUNITY

My client is driving the series production and through-life support of next-generation nuclear power stations and submarine propulsion systems. This is a manufacturing and operations-focused Lead Solution Architect role, with engineering design as an important input rather than the primary focus. The successful candidate will own the entire digital manufacturing ecosystem that turns classified engineering designs into repeatable, rate-capable, export-compliant production and sustainment reality.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Manufacturing & Operations Leadership (Primary)
  • Architect and deploy the end-to-end digital factory for nuclear-qualified and submarine propulsion components: MES/MOM, digital thread, digital twin, smart-factory platforms, Industry 4.0 toolsets.
  • Own serial production ramp-up from LRIP (Low-Rate Initial Production)
  • FRP (Full-Rate Production) for pressure vessels, reactor modules, turbine-generator sets, propulsion shafts and composite structures.
  • Lead deployment of export-controlled Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES), Quality Management Systems (QMS), Advanced Planning & Scheduling (APS) and non-conformance/concession management workflows (Siemens Opcenter, DELMIA Apriso, iBase-t Solumina, SAP DME, PTC Windchill MPMLink).
  • Build the secure digital thread from Siemens Teamcenter/NX engineering release factory routings, shop-floor execution, serialized as-built records, through-life MRO.
  • Drive production readiness reviews (PRR), first-article inspection (FAI), critical process qualification, and nuclear quality gate digitisation under ASME NQA-1, NDQMS and GS-R-3.
  • Implement lean digital tools: AR/VR work instructions, predictive quality analytics, cobot orchestration, Real Time OEE dashboards, digital performance boards.
  • Own supply-chain digital integration - secure supplier portals, material provenance tracking, ITAR/EAR-controlled data exchange with Tier 1s and AUKUS partners.
• Engineering Interface (Secondary but Critical)
  • Act as the single translation layer between Enterprise/Engineering Architecture (structural FEA, CAD releases, materials integrity data) and Manufacturing Operations.
  • Consume engineering HLDs and simulation outputs (ANSYS, ABAQUS) to generate manufacturable routings, process parameters and concession criteria.
  • Challenge engineering releases for producibility, cost-per-unit and rate feasibility - pushing back hard when designs threaten production targets.
• Governance & Assurance
  • Technical Design Authority for all manufacturing systems.
  • Author/review manufacturing HLDs, capability matrices, export-risk registers, decision logs.
  • Ensure full compliance with ITAR/EAR, UK Export Control Order, NCSC CAF and Nuclear Site Licence Conditions.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

• UK National - British Citizen (no dual nationality).
• 8+ years Lead Solution/Enterprise Architecture explicitly in manufacturing execution, factory digitalisation or operations transformation within aerospace, defence, nuclear or complex assembly environments.
• Proven MES/MOM/PLM-for-manufacturing deployments in regulated, export-controlled facilities (Siemens, Dassault, PTC, SAP, iBase-t etc.).
• Recent experience leading serial production ramp-up, rate-readiness or new factory stand-up in high-consequence industries.
• Deep knowledge of nuclear & defence manufacturing quality standards (ASME NQA-1, NDQMS, AS9100D, Def Stan 05-123/130).
• Hands‑on digital thread/Model-Based Manufacturing linking engineering design tools to shop‑floor reality.
• Strong stakeholder challenge skills with Manufacturing VPs, Operations Directors and supply‑chain leads.

HIGHLY DESIRABLE

• Current/recent exposure to UK nuclear-licensed sites or submarine build programmes (Barrow, Devonport, Derby, Raynesway, Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems).
• AUKUS pillar 2 manufacturing experience.
• Experience qualifying additive-manufactured nuclear components.
• TOGAF with manufacturing domain specialisation.

NEXT STEPS

If interested, please send your most recent CV to email so that we can speak in more detail about the opportunity.