Solution Architect

Balfour Beatty plc; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Smart working

Remote work up to 40%

Annual leave 25 days

Pension

Share incentive plan

Job summary

Balfour Beatty plc in London is seeking a Solution Architect to design and implement robust IT solutions across multi-cloud platforms (AWS, Oracle, Microsoft) and align them with business goals.

You will mentor teams, produce high-level designs, participate in governance, ensure security and compliance, and drive system integration and technology advancement across projects. This role offers significant influence on IT strategy and opportunities to lead major change programs within the company.

Qualifications

• Proficient knowledge of multi-cloud environments (AWS, Oracle, Microsoft).
• Strong enterprise software, hardware and infrastructure familiarity.
• Familiarity with IT security best practices and standards.
• Experience with system integration patterns, APIs, middleware, and data migrations.
• Ability to conduct feasibility assessments and risk analysis.
• Experience in vendor evaluation and technical governance processes.
• Demonstrated technical leadership and clear communication.
• Proven stakeholder engagement across business and technical teams.

Responsibilities

• Design and deploy scalable, secure cloud architectures across AWS, Oracle and Microsoft.
• Produce High Level Designs (HLD) for projects.
• Participate in governance activities including VDD, DPIA, and TDA.
• Aide and influence Work Winning teams on IT elements.
• Integrate enterprise software with existing IT architecture.
• Ensure IT solutions meet security and compliance requirements.
• Provide technical leadership to project teams.
• Identify opportunities for technological advancement and system integration.
• Influence IT strategy and support decision-making within IT department.
• Evaluate new technology solutions for business value.
• Facilitate communication between IT and business units.
• Drive continuous improvement in IT practices.
• Oversee timelines and deliverables alignment with business goals.
• Assess and mitigate risks to architecture and data security.

Skills

AWS

Oracle

Microsoft

Enterprise software

IT security

System integration

APIs

Middleware

Data migration

Feasibility analysis

Vendor evaluation

Technical governance

Stakeholder engagement

Technical leadership

Tools

HLD

Job description

About the role

Balfour Beatty has an exciting opportunity for a Solution Architect to join our growing team in London

The Solution Architect plays a critical role in designing and implementing robust IT solutions across multiple technologies and cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Oracle, Microsoft) and aligning them with business objectives and technological advancements, whether organisation change or in work winning. As an experienced member of the team, the individual will focus on the more complex and major change needs, as well as mentoring more less experienced colleagues across various delivery and service teams, and building broad relations across technical and business teams. This role contributes to the strategic development of enterprise software and infrastructure, ensuring scalability, security, and efficiency.

What you'll be doing

• Design and deploy scalable and secure cloud-based architectures across multiple platforms (AWS, Oracle, Microsoft).
• Production of single or project specific High Level Designs (HLD).
• Participate in various governance activities including Vendor Due Diligence (VDD) checks, Data Protection Impact Assessment (DPIA), and our Technical Design Authority (TDA).
• Aide and influence Work Winning teams regarding any IT related elements.
• Responsible for the integration of enterprise software and solutions with existing IT architecture within projects.
• Ensure all IT solutions meet the stringent security protocols and compliance requirements.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance to project teams, enhancing their capabilities and performance.
• Identify strategic opportunities for technological advancement and system integration. Influence IT strategic planning and support decision-making within the department.
• Evaluate new technology solutions for potential value to the business.
• Facilitate clear and effective communication between IT and other business units.
• Drive continuous improvement in IT practices and processes.
• Maintain high-level oversight of project timelines and deliverables, ensuring alignment with business goals.
• Assess and mitigate risks associated with IT architecture and data security

Who we're looking for

• Proficient knowledge and experience in multi-cloud environments including AWS, Oracle, and Microsoft.
• Strong understanding of enterprise construction software, alongside general software, hardware, and infrastructure knowledge.
• Familiarity with IT security best practices and standards.
• Experience with system integration patterns, APIs, middleware, and data migration strategies.
• Ability to conduct technical feasibility assessments and risk analysis.
• Experience in vendor evaluation, solution comparison, and technical governance processes.
• Demonstrable technical leadership and clear communication skills.
• Track record of stakeholder engagement and act as a bridge between business and technical stakeholders to ensure understanding and acceptance on preferred solutions.

Why work for us

Day in, day out, our teams deliver some of the UK’s most ambitious, exciting and meaningful projects; developing, building and maintaining the vital infrastructure that supports national economies and strengthens communities.

Why join us?

As if contributing to and supporting work that makes life better for millions wasn’t rewarding enough, we offer a full range of benefits too. You’ll have the freedom to shape the package that’s right for you and your life. Here are some of our key benefits:

• Smart working, giving you more flexibility such as staggered start and finish times, with up to 40% remote working, where roles allow.
• 25 days paid annual leave (pro rata)
• Family friendly policies which include 28 weeks full pay for maternity/adoption leave and four weeks full pay for paternity/partners leave
• Pension, share incentive plan, volunteering leave, recognition schemes and many more…

About us

Balfour Beatty Group Enabling Functions are Legal, Finance, IT and Procurement, Communications, Health Safety and Environment, HR and Sustainability. Together, they support delivery of our Build to Last strategy whilst improving efficiencies and standardising our approach, systems and processes.
Diversity and inclusion

At Balfour Beatty we believe that diversity and inclusion are essential components of any successful, happy workplace. Through our Value Everyone Diversity and Inclusion Strategy and Action Plan, we are growing our diverse workforce and developing our inclusive culture where everyone is able to thrive and reach their full potential, regardless of their identity or background. To find out how we are making this a reality, visit www.balfourbeatty.com/diversityandinclusion

To help and support us with our desired commitment to create an inclusive culture we are members of WISE, enei, Business Disability Forum and the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE). In 2020, we signed the Audeliss and Involve Open Letter to demonstrate our commitment to taking key long term and sustainable actions on Black Inclusion. Balfour Beatty is also a Gold Award holder in the Ministry of Defence 'Employer Recognition Scheme' and actively encourage applications from Armed Forces personnel, veterans and reservists.

As a Disability Confident Employer, we are committed to working with people who have disabilities and long-term health conditions to remove barriers for them in obtaining employment. We are also committed to offering applicants with a disability an interview if they meet the minimum requirements for the role. For more info, visit https://disabilityconfident.campaign.gov.uk/

We are looking to continually improve our resourcing process and ensure that it is fair and inclusive for all. If you have any feedback on the process, please share this to us at [e-mail]