Solution Architect

PA Consulting; Belfast City District; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private healthcare

25 days annual leave

Generous pension scheme

Bonus opportunities

PA share ownership

Cycle to work

Job summary

PA Consulting is recruiting a Solution Architect in the Digital & Data group to drive architectural strategy across client engagements in Belfast and the UK. The role focuses on leading engineering teams, shaping technical direction, and delivering scalable, future-ready solutions in a hybrid work setting.

You will collaborate with product, design and engineering, champion architectural guardrails, cost estimates and program-level planning while remaining technology-agnostic and client-focused.

Qualifications

• Hands-on software engineering background with experience leading engineering teams to deliver applications and services.
• Clear understanding and practical application of architecture and delivery methodologies.
• Operate confidently across all architectural domains with a specialism in at least one: Business, Data, Application, Technology, and Security.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and professional development.
• You thrive in problem-solving and analytical thinking.
• You enjoy collaborating with multiple stakeholders in a fast-paced environment.
• Certifications in appropriate methodologies and cloud technologies are advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Create and assure key architecture artefacts (e.g., KDD, TOP, HDL).
• Collaborate with Engineering teams, often leading an SME role to define vision and guardrails.
• Support leaders in shaping the case for change, cost estimation and planning.
• Work to agile best practices and cross-functionally with multiple teams and stakeholders.
• Hybrid working with client site or office minimum two days per week, with possible up to five days on client site.
• Contribute to PA's tech community and continuous learning culture.

Skills

Hands-on software engineering

Architecture delivery

Cross-domain architecture

Analytical thinking

Stakeholder collaboration

Problem solving

Tools

AWS

Azure

GCP

TOGAF

Zachman

MODAF

SAFe

Scrum

Kanban

UML

ArchiMate

Ardoq

Job description

Company Description

We believe in the power of ingenuity to build a positive human future.

Company Description

We believe in the power of ingenuity to build a positive human future.

As strategies, technologies, and innovation collide, we create opportunity from complexity.

Our teams of interdisciplinary experts combine innovative thinking and breakthrough technologies to progress further, faster. Our clients adapt and transform, and together we achieve enduring results.

We are over 4,000 strategists, innovators, designers, consultants, digital experts, scientists, engineers, and technologists. And we have deep expertise in consumer and manufacturing, defence and security, energy and utilities, financial services, government and public services, health and life sciences, and transport.

Our teams operate globally from offices across the UK, Ireland, US, Nordics, and Netherlands.

PA. Bringing Ingenuity to Life.

Job Description

We believe in the power of ingenuity to build a positive human future. We challenge where it matters and own the outcome. We combine strategic thinking, customer‑centric service design, and agile engineering practices to accelerate innovation in a tech‑driven world.

Why consider joining our Digital & Data community?

• Join our Digital & Data team working alongside product, design and a wide range of other experts and cross‑disciplinary teams to bring ideas to life through innovative software solutions.
• Grow a flexible and unique career within a trust‑based, inclusive environment that values excellence, innovation, and curiosity. You have the option to progress with us on a technical career track. No need to go onto the Partner career track if this doesn’t align with what you want to do.
• Hybrid working - our approach is to be in the office or on client site minimum of 2 days per week.
• Work on a broad variety of projects and tech stacks for clients across seven sectors - no project is ever the same
• Join other experts within our supportive and collaborative tech community through knowledge‑sharing and peer‑level support, coaching and mentoring
• Deepen your expertise through our a culture of learning and growth – you’ll have budget to take courses (technical and non‑technical training), plus gain certifications

Our tech stack

While we advocate for using the right tech for the right task, you can expect to work with the following technologies to ensure scalable, high‑performance applications:

• Cloud platforms: AWS, Azure, GCP
• Architecture frameworks: TOGAF, Zachmann, MODAF
• Agile methodologies: SAFe, Scrum, Kanban
• Modeling tools: UML, ArchiMate, Ardoq

What You Can Expect

• Create and assure key architecture artefacts (e.g., Key Design Decision, Technical Options Paper, High Level Design)
• Collaborate closely with Engineering teams, often taking a lead SME role to define vision and establish Architectural Guardrails.
• Support senior leaders in shaping their case for change, leading on cost estimation and detailed planning.
• Work to agile best practices and cross‑functionally with multiple teams and stakeholders. You’ll be using your technical skills to problem solve with our clients, as well as working on internal projects
• Hybrid working with the team on client site or in our office a minimum of two days per week. However, the actual time you spend and where you spend it will vary by role or assignment, including up to 5 days per week on a client site.
• An environment that deeply cares about its values

Qualifications

Essential requirements

Even if you don’t meet every requirement below, feel free to still apply as we are often hiring for similar roles which your background might be better suited to.

• Hands‑on Software Engineering background with experience leading engineering teams to deliver applications and services.
• Clear understanding and practical application of architecture and delivery methodologies.
• Operate confidently across all architectural domains with a specialism in at least one: Business, Data, Application, Technology, and Security.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and professional development.
• You thrive in problem‑solving and analytical thinking
• You enjoy collaborating with multiple stakeholders in a fast‑paced environment
• Certifications in appropriate methodologies and cloud technologies are advantageous.

We’re technology agnostic, using the right tools for the job at hand, and you’ll have access to our strong partnerships with AWS, Azure and GCP. We’re interested to hear from Solution Architects with experience across the majority of leading vendors including Azure, AWS, Google Cloud Platform, Oracle, IBM, Salesforce and more.

Additional Information

Assessment process

• Quick video call with one of our Tech Recruiters – to discuss your application, the role and PA
• Round 1: Either a competency or technical interview (60 mins)
• Round 2: Either a competency or technical interview, whichever you didn’t do at first round (60 mins)
• Final round: Meeting with a PA leader - a discussion around your client‑centricity (45 mins)

Life At PA encompasses our peoples' experience at PA. It's about how we enrich peoples’ working lives by giving them access to unique people and growth opportunities and purpose led meaningful work.

Our purpose guides how we work with our clients and our teams, and support our communities, to deliver insight and impact, solving the world’s most complex challenges. We're focused on building a workplace that values human difference and diverse mindsets, and a culture of inclusion and equality that unlocks the potential in our people so everyone can be their best self.

Find out more about Life at PA here.

Check out some of our extensive benefits:

• Health and lifestyle perks accompanying private healthcare for you and your family
• 25 days annual leave (plus a bonus half day on Christmas Eve) with the opportunity to buy 5 additional days
• Generous company pension scheme
• Opportunity to get involved with community and charity-based initiatives
• Annual performance‑based bonus
• PA share ownership
• Tax efficient benefits (cycle to work, give as you earn)

We’re committed to advancing equality. We recruit, retain, reward and develop our people based solely on their abilities and contributions and without reference to their age, background, disability, genetic information, parental or family status, religion or belief, race, ethnicity, nationality, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity (or expression), political belief veteran status, or other by any other range of human difference brought about by identity and experience. We welcome applications from underrepresented groups.

Adjustments or accommodations

Should you need any adjustments or accommodations to the recruitment process, at either application or interview, please contact us on [e-mail]