Software Architect | Complex Systems & Software | Cambridgeshire

SoCode Recruitment; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare

25 days leave

Collaborative working environment

Strategic responsibility

Technical variety

Job summary

SoCode Recruitment is seeking a Lead Software Architect in Cambridgeshire to drive architectural thinking, guide technical decisions, and shape the evolution of complex software systems. This strategic, technically focused role balances long-term vision with practical engineering challenges across multidisciplinary teams.

You will define architectural principles, modernise platforms, develop roadmaps, and promote engineering excellence while aligning technical priorities with business objectives.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in software architecture and system design.
• Strong background in languages such as C++, C#, Python.
• Experience designing and evolving complex software systems with scalability and maintainability in mind.
• Technical experience in areas like application development, embedded software, or systems integration.
• Ability to assess architectural options, develop roadmaps, and balance priorities.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills to influence teams.
• A pragmatic, forward-thinking approach with business awareness.

Responsibilities

• Set technical direction and architectural principles for projects.
• Modernise and improve existing systems for long-term maintainability.
• Guide complex engineering with design decisions and trade-offs.
• Shape roadmaps and assess emerging technologies with reliability in mind.
• Promote engineering excellence and effective collaboration across teams.
• Influence across teams to align technical priorities with business goals.

Skills

Software architecture

System design

C++, C#, Python

Embedded software

Stakeholder management

Architectural leadership

Job description

Software Architect | Complex Systems & Software | Cambridgeshire

Ready to shape the future of software engineering?

We're supporting an established technology business in its search for a Lead Software Architect to drive architectural thinking, guide technical decisions and help shape the evolution of complex software systems.

This is a strategic, technically focused opportunity for an experienced software professional who enjoys balancing long-term architectural vision with practical engineering challenges. You'll work with multidisciplinary teams to improve existing platforms, explore new approaches and establish robust foundations for future development.

With scope to influence technical direction across multiple projects, this role offers the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on how software is designed, developed and delivered.

What you'll be doing

• Set technical direction: Define architectural principles and design approaches that support evolving business and engineering needs.
• Modernise and improve: Identify opportunities to enhance existing systems, address technical challenges and improve long-term maintainability.
• Guide complex engineering: Support teams with system design, technical trade‑offs, integration challenges and architectural decisions.
• Shape future development: Develop technical roadmaps and assess emerging technologies, balancing innovation with reliability and delivery.
• Promote engineering excellence: Encourage consistent design practices, sound software engineering principles and effective technical collaboration.
• Influence across teams: Work with engineering leaders and stakeholders to align technical priorities and turn broader objectives into achievable solutions.

What we're looking for

• Significant experience in software architecture, system design or senior software engineering with responsibility for technical direction.
• A strong software development background, with experience in languages such as C++, C#, Python or similar.
• Experience designing and evolving complex software systems, including considerations around scalability, integration, performance and maintainability.
• Technical experience in one or more areas such as application development, embedded software, connected platforms, systems integration or industrial technology.
• The ability to assess architectural options, develop technical roadmaps and make informed decisions across competing priorities.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence teams and build consensus without relying on formal authority.
• A pragmatic, forward‑thinking approach that combines technical depth with an understanding of wider business objectives.

What's in it for you?

• Salary up to £100,000 (DOE)
• 25 days' annual leave, plus bank holidays.
• Private healthcare.
• Collaborative working environment.
• Strategic responsibility.
• Technical variety.