Solution Architect

ENGINEERINGUK; Manchester; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering organization based in Manchester is seeking an experienced Solution Architect. The role involves developing application roadmaps, promoting technology innovation, and collaborating with IT teams to align solutions with enterprise architecture. Candidates should possess strong analytical skills, a background in cloud technologies, and 7+ years of IT experience, with a focus on architecture. This position offers opportunities for leading and mentoring development teams.

Qualifications

• 7+ years' of IT experience with 6+ years of architecture experience.
• Experience in integration architectures from Service Bus to API mediation.

Responsibilities

• Develop application and system roadmaps associated with applications transformation.
• Support the definition of high-level operational models.
• Collaborate with development teams and assist with Agile techniques.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Cloud technologies

Agile methodologies

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science

Tools

TOGAF

ERP systems

Job description

Responsibilities

• Develop application and system roadmaps associated with applications transformation and modernisation
• Develop flexible, adaptable, modular, and reusable solution designs in collaboration with business stakeholders and the IT development teams while ensuring alignment with enterprise architecture standards
• Support the definition of high-level operational models, and prepare business cases in alignment with the IT security and quality guidelines. Present business cases, for operational and tactical technical initiatives, for approval, funding and prioritisation
• Uphold appropriate solution architecture governance processes and tools while maintaining focus on design patterns and technology standards
• Be the accountable individual for the finalisation, acceptance and approval of solutions you architected, by relevant stakeholders
• Act as an enabler of Agile and DevSecOps practices in collaboration with product delivery and operation support teams
• Explore, evaluate and promote technology innovation within the organisation
• Review high-level designs with technical leads and developers, review code, enforce best practices, assist with debugging critical issues, and enforce performance testing to deliver efficient and performant applications
• Be the responsible individual to identify technology risk(s) of initiatives you are leading as an architect and develop corresponding mitigation strategies
• Stay current on, evaluate and recommend the use of cutting-edge technologies and methods, considering their technical pros and limitations. Leverage market and technology trends to identify the business benefits of alternative technical solutions
• Support the requirements gathering process to right-size initiatives and solution strategy
• Collaborate with development teams and assist with the application of Agile and DevSecOps techniques within architecture and designs
• Create comprehensive solution architecture specification documents and other required documentation

Knowledge and Skills

• Exceptional analytical and critical thinking skills, with thorough attention to detail.
• Excellent planning, documentation and problem-solving skills.
• Knowledge of design and implementation of solutions and systems using custom built and CoTS / MoTS applications hosted in the cloud and on-prem.
• Experience designing solutions including policy administration systems, ERP and customer / agent-facing portals.
• Substantial knowledge of the system development life cycle and the scaled agile methodology. Certifications preferred.
• TOGAF certification is a significant plus.
• Demonstrate competence to work at the highest technical level of all phases of system architecture design, using state of the art rule/framework-based architecture, object-oriented component analysis and proficiency in web-based systems architecture, service-based architecture and enterprise application architecture.
• Ability to guide and mentor development teams on sound design and coding principles, best practices in API based, Micro Services and Cloud technologies.
• Experience in integration architectures from Service Bus to API mediation and event bus models.
• Strong knowledge of contemporary technologies and business trends that allows architecture to solve problems in a creative and cost-effective manner.
• Experience developing roadmaps outlining the evolution of the enterprise application portfolio from current to desired state
• Bachelor's degree or above in Computer science or related tech discipline or equivalent work experience
• Deep Knowledge and proven hands-on experience with cloud technologies
• 7+ years' of IT experience with 6+ years of architecture experience
• Demonstrated leadership skills