Lead Solution Architect (Contactless EMV)

Rail Delivery Group; London; Hybrid; GBP 62,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

Rail Delivery Group seeks a Lead Solution Architect for the Contactless EMV project to drive innovation in digital ticketing across the UK. This role involves managing architecture integration with various platforms, ensuring seamless travel experiences while leading a team in a fast-paced environment. The position offers a competitive salary, extensive benefits, and the chance to influence future strategies in UK rail digitization.

Benefits

75% off rail travel for personal and family use

30 Days annual leave plus buy/sell options

Enhanced family leave

Pension scheme with 11.58% employer contribution

Private medical insurance

Discounted gym membership

Qualifications

• Extensive experience leading technical architecture in a multi-stakeholder environment.
• Strong experience with cloud platforms such as AWS.
• Hands-on experience with architecture tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end solution architecture for the assigned ticketing domain.
• Create and maintain technical documentation including data flows and integrations.
• Collaborate with delivery teams and external suppliers.

Skills

AWS Certified Solution Architect

Technical Architecture

API Gateway

Integration Design

Communication Skills

Education

TOGAF or similar architectural certification

Tools

Visio

Lucidchart

Enterprise Architect

Job description

Lead Solution Architect (Contactless EMV)

Lead Solution Architect (Contactless EMV)

3 weeks ago Be among the first 25 applicants

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This range is provided by Rail Delivery Group. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

Lead Solution Architect - Contactless EMV

Salary: £62,500 - £87,500

Location: London - Hybrid

Contract: Permanent

Annual Leave: 30 Days + Excellent Benefits

Closing Date: 11th July 2025

Be Part of the Future of Rail

The railway in Britain is undergoing its most significant transformation in a generation, and Rail Delivery Group (RDG) is at the heart of it. With the creation of Great British Railways (GBR), we're helping shape a new era of smarter, simpler, and more connected ticketing.

RDG's Digital Ticketing Services (DTS) team leads innovation in smart ticketing, enabling fully interoperable digital solutions across the country. Our work helps Train Operating Companies (TOCs) deliver seamless journeys for millions of customers - now and into the future.

About The Role

Following the success of contactless 'tap and go' in a few UK cities, the government is now extending contactless EMV ticketing to 400 stations across the Midlands and the North. This role is at the heart of delivering the EMV Back Office for Rail - a major national initiative that will enable passengers to travel more seamlessly and pay effortlessly using contactless bank cards.

As Lead Solution Architect, you'll be responsible for the end-to-end architecture of this system, integrating RDG platforms with payment schemes, industry partners, and future GBR systems. You'll ensure that the design supports the government's strategic ambition to expand contactless ticketing across Great Britain - creating a future-proofed, secure, and scalable national solution.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end solution architecture for your assigned ticketing domain
• Create and maintain technical documentation including data flows, integrations and architecture definitions
• Assess technical design options and ensure alignment with enterprise architecture and policy
• Collaborate with delivery teams, project managers and external suppliers to ensure successful implementation
• Take ownership of the Architecture Definition Document and present solutions to governance boards
• Ensure security, scalability, and interoperability of all solutions
• Mentor and guide a team of Solution Architects and support their professional development
• Contribute to the strategic roadmap and represent your domain at industry forums
  
  

Requirements

What We're Looking For

We're looking for someone with strong technical leadership and domain expertise in digital ticketing. You'll need to balance technical depth with excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills, and thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.

Essential Skills & Experience:

• AWS Certified Solution Architect (or equivalent experience)
• TOGAF or similar architectural certification
• Extensive experience leading technical architecture in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment
• Strong experience with API gateway platforms and integration design
• Knowledge of cloud platforms such as AWS
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Hands-on experience with architecture tools such as Visio, Lucidchart or Enterprise Architect
• Track record of delivering scalable, secure, high-performance digital solutions
  
  

Benefits

Why Work for RDG?

We offer a highly competitive package, including:

• 75% off rail travel for personal and family use, plus international rail discounts
• 30 Days annual leave (plus buy/sell options and additional leave for key life events)
• Season ticket loan for commuting costs
• Enhanced family leave - 30 weeks full pay for maternity, adoption, surrogacy, and shared parental leave
• Pension scheme - up to 11.58% employer contribution
• Private medical insurance (AXA PPP) including mental health and specialist care
• Discounted gym membership and access to wellbeing programmes
  
  

Career Development & Progression

You'll be part of a team driving innovation at a national scale, with the opportunity to influence long-term ticketing strategy. This role provides real ownership, the chance to work with leading-edge technologies and partners, and visibility at senior levels across the rail industry. You'll also gain wide exposure to transport and government stakeholders, opening up exciting development and progression opportunities within RDG.

Apply Now & Shape the Future of UK Rail

If you are interested in joining RDG as a Lead Solution Architect and shaping the future of digital ticketing, we'd love to hear from you!

Click Apply now to start your application and be part of a team that is leading digital innovation in the rail industry.

Please note that we are unable to consider applications from candidates who require visa sponsorship to work in the UK.

Seniority level

• Seniority level

  Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Employment type

  Full-time

Job function

• Job function

  Information Technology

• Industries

  IT Services and IT Consulting

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