Senior Solution Architect

Leidos Innovations UK Limited; Downend; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A defense and technology company is seeking an IT Solution Architect in the UK to lead complex end-to-end solutions within supply chain management. The ideal candidate should possess extensive experience in managing large projects, integrating various technologies, and excellent stakeholder communication skills. This role includes benefits like a contributory pension scheme and private medical insurance.

Benefits

Contributory Pension Scheme

Private Medical Insurance

33 days Annual Leave

Flexible benefits

Dynamic working

Qualifications

• Previous experience as a Solution Architect on large complex customer projects.
• Production of end-to-end architecture deliverables.
• Experience in bespoke and COTS applications.

Responsibilities

• Lead solution development through all phases of the delivery lifecycle.
• Provide support to the Head of Architecture.
• Ensure compliance with design principles and architecture frameworks.

Skills

Solution Architect experience

Cross-domain architecture deliverables

Integration technologies (SOA, ESBs)

Cloud experience (AWS or similar)

Strong consulting skills

Excellent communication skills

Analytical and technical skills

Collaboration in multi-supplier environments

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in a related field

Job description

IT Solution Architect Programme : LCST (Logistics Commodities & Services Transformation)

Location: Bristol

Role Overview

As an IT Solution Architect, you will be responsible for leading, designing, and delivering complex end‑to‑end solutions using diverse applications and technologies within the supply‑chain management business domain.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead solution development through all phases of the delivery lifecycle: requirements capture, high‑level design, low‑level design, development, release, and solution sustainment.
• Provide support to the Head of Architecture, covering design decisions such as solution evaluation (buy vs build vs reuse), platform selection, and early‑phase project estimates.
• Ensure compliance with design principles and architecture frameworks.
• Ensure compliance with technical, security, customer, and regulatory standards.
• Support customer and stakeholder meetings and technical discussions.

Required Skills

• Previous experience as a Solution Architect on large complex customer projects.
• Production of cross‑domain (Business, Application, Data, Infrastructure, Security) end‑to‑end architecture deliverables, such as proposal designs, high‑level designs and interface specifications.
• Experience in bespoke and COTS applications.
• Experience in integration concepts and technologies such as SOA, ESBs, EAI, XML, Web Services, MQ.
• Experience with large‑scale, distributed, event‑driven architectures.
• Experience in cloud (AWS or similar).
• Experience working collaboratively within a multi‑supplier/vendor environment.
• Strong consulting, leading, and mentoring skills and excellent communication with stakeholders at all levels.
• Broad knowledge of application technologies, platforms, and tools including web‑based systems, databases, middleware/integration technologies, security, and infrastructure.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Excellent analytical and technical skills.
• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field and/or extensive related experience.

Desired Skills

• Experience in multi‑stakeholder logistics/supply‑chain management solutions using modern commercial platforms such as Integration Platforms, Manufacturing/Repair systems, Warehouse Management Systems, Transport Management Systems, Order Management Systems, Inventory Management Systems, Enterprise Resource Planning Systems, Procurement Systems, Data, Analytics, and MI systems.
• Experience in TOGAF/MODAF.
• Experience in ArchiMate.
• Experience working in a CMMI level 3 environment.

Clearance Requirements

BPSS pre‑screening required to start; SC required for role. Leidos UK.

Benefits

• Contributory Pension Scheme
• Private Medical Insurance
• 33 days Annual Leave (incl. public and privilege holidays)
• Flexible benefits (life assurance, health schemes, gym memberships, annual buy‑and‑sell holidays, cycle‑to‑work scheme)
• Dynamic working

Our Commitment to Diversity

We welcome applications from all part of the community and are committed to a truly diverse and inclusive culture. We foster a sense of belonging, welcoming all perspectives and contributions, and providing equal access to opportunities and resources for everyone. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages, please let us know.

About Leidos

The Logistics Commodities & Services Transformation (LCST) Programme for the UK Ministry of Defence is a critical effort to enhance and improve the UK’s defence supply chain. The programme provides essential services such as storage and distribution for the MOD’s materiel, including a global freight service and the procurement and inventory management of 70,000 commodity NATO Stock Numbers (NSNs). Working together as Team Leidos we are helping to transform the UK's defence supply chain by integrating a complex mixture of services at low risk, using a modern suite of systems that will deliver one version of the truth. For the first time, the MOD will see the whole picture as it is happening.