Lead Solution Architect - Business Systems

BAE Systems; Tamworth; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading defense and aerospace company based in the UK is seeking a Lead Solution Architect. In this role, you will oversee the design and development of the Air Sector Architecture, ensuring alignment with corporate strategy. The role offers a hybrid working arrangement and requires strong skills in IT support and information architecture. The ideal candidate has significant experience with business transformation projects and holds relevant academic qualifications. The position includes competitive benefits and opportunities for career development.

Benefits

Competitive pension scheme

Employee share plans

Flexible health and lifestyle benefits

Qualifications

• Experience in an IT-related role, ideally in business systems support.
• Specific experience in Information/Data architecture.
• Experience in design and deployment in a broad business environment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee design and acceptance of Air Sector Architecture.
• Support integration of business systems and digital solutions.
• Ensure governance and approval of business requirements and designs.

Skills

IT-related role experience

Information/Data architecture development

Systems analysis & design

Business transformation projects

Education

Honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline

Tools

TOGAF certification

ITIL certification

Job description

Lead Solution Architect-Business Systems

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

Salary: £75,000+ depending on skills and experience

What you’ll be doing

• Oversee the design, development and acceptance of the Air Sector Architecture and Infrastructure, ensuring alignment with wider enterprise strategy and Group technology goals
• Support the seamless integration of all business systems and digital solutions within the broader Air Sector architecture to enable end-to-end operational efficiency
• Oversee governance and approval of business requirements, solution designs and acceptance criteria, ensuring all systems meet agreed standards, functionality and performance expectations
• Shape and influence the strategic direction of business systems by collaborating with strategic vendors, cross-functional stakeholders (Procurement, Commercial, Finance, Project Management), architectural peers and the Head of the Business Systems Competency Centre

Your skills and experiences

Essential

• Experience in an IT-related role, ideally including substantial experience of the business systems support area
• Specific experience in Information/Data architecture development and delivery of IM&T solutions through business transformation projects
• Experience of systems analysis & design in a broad business environment including experience of design for and deployment/operation

Desirable

• Honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline
• Validated experience in business information analysis, including the functional leadership and mentoring of Business Architects, Solution Architects and Business Analysts
• Considerable background in information and data analysis within large-scale business systems environments
• Demonstrated experience in developing cost estimates and proposals for IM&T components of major bids and programmes
• TOGAF certification (or equivalent)
• ITIL certification (or equivalent)
• Experience across the full solution development lifecycle, from concept to delivery

Benefits

As well as a competitive pension scheme, BAE Systems also offers employee share plans, an extensive range of flexible discounted health, wellbeing and lifestyle benefits, including a green car scheme, private health plans and shopping discounts - you may also be eligible for an annual incentive.

About the role

IM&T Architecture - Business systems competency centre - Air. There are several exciting and high-profile transformation projects currently underway across the Air Sector and the wider business. These initiatives offer excellent development and career progression opportunities, both within the team and across the organisation. The role provides the chance to work with a diverse range of back-office systems, primarily focused on Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) solutions, with opportunities to develop bespoke applications where required.

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. 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

29th 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.

How to apply

• Register an account (optional, you can apply as a guest)
• Provide contact information
• Upload your CV
• Complete a short diversity & inclusion questionnaire