Principal Solution Architect

AtkinsRéalis; Cheltenham; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Flexible holiday allowances

Training & development

Job summary

AtkinsRéalis is expanding its Solution Design team in the UK, seeking solution architects ready to shape our clients’ digital journeys. You will define architecture, model solutions, and guide delivery across complex, multi-domain environments while aligning with government and security standards.

The role offers hybrid working with flexible policies, supporting personal priorities and career growth within a collaborative, inclusive culture.

Qualifications

• Degree in science, computing or engineering.
• Proven work experience as a Solution Architect or similar role.
• Experience with architecture frameworks such as ISO42010, TOGAF, Zachman.
• Experience in systems design and delivery, using modelling techniques.
• Broad understanding of cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, M365) and hybrid cloud environments.
• Familiarity with enterprise networking and secure architectures.

Responsibilities

• Drive through customer strategies in complex, mixed technology environments.
• Balance technological and business solutions to meet client needs.
• Define features, requirements and development phases for delivery.
• Develop solution specifications aligned with business strategies and frameworks.

Skills

Solution architecture

Stakeholder management

Digital transformation

Analytical thinking

Education

Science/Engineering degree

Tools

TOGAF

Zachman

ITIL

IT4IT

Azure

AWS

M365

Job description

Shaping a smarter, more agile world!

AtkinsRéalis is growing its Solution Design team and is looking for Solution Architects who are curious, who want to become part of our customers' digital journey and who want to have a voice in shaping our future digital world. Is this you?

Overview

Shaping a smarter, more agile world! AtkinsRéalis is growing its Solution Design team and is looking for Solution Architects who are curious, who want to become part of our customers' digital journey and who want to have a voice in shaping our future digital world. Is this you? We are looking to expand our multi-disciplinary team with people from diverse backgrounds who bring solution architecture expertise to the digital transformation of our stakeholders' technology landscapes and ways of working. You may currently be a solution architect, technical architect, digital consultant, or enterprise architect seeking a new challenge. We welcome applications from creative, adaptable systems thinkers who are passionate about designing end‑to‑end solutions, shaping future digital capabilities, and growing your own career potential along the way. When it comes to living your life, we want your role with AtkinsRéalis to be a key part of your personal journey. We have a collaborative inclusive team culture where people will help, guide and mentor you to help you grow. We pitch in and help colleagues because we succeed as a team. Our flexible and remote working policies are designed to support different personal priorities and needs. This role is within the Secure Government business unit which has an excellent record in consultancy and delivery to a wide range of clients, which includes some of the largest public and private sector organizations in the UK, particularly in defence, security and government markets. We are looking for Solution Architects at various levels to enhance our team and technology solutions capability. To succeed, our customers require expert advisors who listen and advise clearly demonstrating their deep experience and mature methods. Responsible for the definition of technology architecture and modelling, options and solutions to meet strategic business objectives. Ensuring these designs and solutions are efficient, sustainable and fit‑for‑purpose for current and future business needs.

Your role

As a solution architect, you will be responsible for the design, description and managing the development of solutions to support our client's business strategies. Leading and/or supporting initiatives and introducing technical visions for a solution within the Enterprise Architecture Framework. Your responsibilities will include:

• Driving through customer strategies in often complex, mixed technology environments.
• Balancing technological and business solutions to address client needs.
• Defining features, requirements and development phases against which delivery must be made.
• Developing solution specifications in line with business strategies and appropriate frameworks.

About You

• A degree in a science, computing or engineering subject, or equivalent experience.
• Proven work experience as a Solution Architect, technology consultant or similar role.
• Experience with the use of Architecture frameworks such as ISO42010, TOGAF, Zachman and the ITIL and IT4IT service architecture frameworks.
• Experience of systems design and delivery, applying engineering rigour through technical architecture modelling techniques.
• In-depth understanding of technology structure principles.
• Experience gathering and analysing system requirements.
• Broad understanding of modern technology domains relevant to solution architecture, including cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, M365) and hybrid cloud environments.
• Experience applying integration patterns, API‑led design and service-oriented approaches across complex systems.
• Awareness of data platforms, information architecture and analytics capabilities within enterprise solutions.
• Knowledge of identity, access management and security-by-design principles aligned to government and industry standards.
• Understanding of application modernisation approaches, legacy migration and the adoption of contemporary digital services.
• Familiarity with enterprise networking, connectivity, and secure architectures used within regulated or sensitive environments.
• Appreciation of emerging technologies and trends such as IoT, edge computing and automation where appropriate.

Industry Experience

• Experience working within Local Government, Regulated Industries, Defence or Security and Intelligence markets is beneficial.
• Appreciation and/or experience of different delivery methods such as Agile, SAFe, Scrum and their approaches such as scrums, backlogs.

The Individual

• Excellent stakeholder management with focus on nurturing & developing strong relationships.
• Strong consulting skills, knowledge of a variety of techniques and methods to capture, elaborate and understand client challenges (structured thinking, effective report writing and presentations, and strong stakeholder engagement).
• Good negotiation, communication and relationship building skills; able to influence business decisions and formulate positive relationships with customers, strategic partners and colleges.
• A high-level of self-initiation, organisation and enthusiasm.
• Motivated to drive the design and delivery of solutions that realize the outcomes for the client's needs.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to influence effectively across multiple media.
• Personable team player, able to work under guidance and own initiative, adding expertise and value to project deliverables.
• Proven analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• A strong interest and appreciation of technology trends and government IT strategy such as, Cloud, Internet of Things, Cyber Security, Big Data and digital service design and delivery.

Rewards & benefits

Explore the rewards and benefits that help you thrive – at every stage of your life and your career. Enjoy competitive salaries, employee rewards and a brilliant range of benefits you can tailor to suit your own health, wellbeing, financial and lifestyle choices. Make the most of a myriad of opportunities for training and professional development to grow your skills and expertise. And combine our hybrid working culture and flexible holiday allowances to balance a great job and fulfilling personal life.

Be rewarded. Find out more.

About AtkinsRéalis

We're AtkinsRéalis, a world-class engineering services and nuclear organization. We connect people, data and technology to transform the world's'infrastructure and energy systems. Together, with our industry partners and clients, and our global team of consultants, designers, engineers and project managers, we can change the world. We're committed to leading our clients across our various end markets to engineer a better future for our planet and its people.

Find out more.

Additional information

Security clearance This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. The vetting process is delivered by United Kingdom Security Vetting (UKSV) and may require candidates to provide proof of residency in the UK of 5 years or longer. If applying to this role please do not make reference to (in conversation) or include in your application or CV, details of any current or previously held security clearance.

We are committed to creating a culture where everyone feels that they belong - a place where we can all be ourselves, thrive and develop to be the best we can be. So, we offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements and employee resource groups to support all employees. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability.

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