Solution Architect - SEP and S&P

National Energy System Operator Limited; Wokingham; Hybrid; GBP 72,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus up to 15%

28 days annual leave

Contributory pension (double match 12%

Flexible benefits programme

Job summary

National Energy System Operator Limited is seeking a Solution Architect to lead end-to-end solution designs for SEP and S&P, enabling strategic energy planning and policy development. You will drive scalable, secure platforms for energy modelling, forecasting and scenario analysis, collaborating with data scientists, modellers and business stakeholders.

The role is hybrid and based from Wokingham or Warwick, requires NSV clearance, and UK residency for the past five years.

Qualifications

• Experience designing large-scale data and analytics platforms.
• Proficiency with Azure data tools (Data Factory, Synapse, Databricks).
• Experience with energy modelling tools or frameworks.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end architecture designs across SEP and S&P capabilities, aligned to enterprise principles and roadmaps.
• Engage with stakeholders across programmes, translating needs into pragmatic solutions.
• Collaborate with Delivery Partners, SMEs and teams to drive solution conversations to decisions.
• Map requirements to designs, considering technology, people and process implications.
• Produce governance artefacts (options, intents, high-level designs) for approvals.
• Write collateral in a clear, audience-appropriate manner.
• Define scalable, secure, and resilient non-functional requirements and recovery plans.
• Support delivery and test teams to validate changes within the wider solution footprint.
• Identify dependencies and blockers to achieve business value.
• Align to strategy with transitional solutions where needed and offer specialist support.

Skills

Data platforms

Azure cloud

Energy modelling

Stakeholder mgmt

Tools

Power BI

Job description

About the Role

We are looking for a Solution Architect to support the Strategic Energy Planning (SEP) and Strategy & Policy (S&P) functional areas. This role is accountable for the design and delivery of end-to-end solution architectures that enable strategic decision-making, policy development, and energy system transformation. The Solution Architect will: Lead the design and implementation of scalable, secure, and high-performance platforms and solutions supporting energy modelling, forecasting, and scenario analysis. Ensure alignment between business strategy, policy objectives, and technology delivery. Work across multiple domains to enable integrated, enterprise-wide capabilities. The architect will work closely with data scientists, energy modellers, delivery teams, Business Analysts and business stakeholders to ensure the platform enables complex scenario simulations (e.g., decarbonisation pathways, demand forecasting, market simulations) while maintaining extensibility, performance, and governance.

This role is Hybrid & can be based from Wokingham or Warwick. We continue to support flexible working where applicable. This role is designated as requiring a National Security Vetting (NSV) clearance. You will usually need to have been a resident in the UK for the last five years to apply for the required level of clearance.

Key Accountabilities

• Own end-to-end architecture designs across SEP and S&P capabilities, ensuring alignment to enterprise architecture principles, NESO1, and strategic roadmaps, building comprehensive knowledge of the various technology components and the business capabilities they provide.
• Confidently engage with stakeholders across the Programme, being empathetic to their needs and challenges, whilst being able to articulate pragmatic solutions in a calm and professional manner.
• Work closely with other DD&T colleagues (including Delivery Partners and Suppliers), actively participating in meetings and workshops to help drive solution related conversations to meaningful conclusions.
• Map Solution Requirements to Solution Designs, ensuring desired outcomes are supported, and the implications of solutions being implemented are considered from a technology, people and process perspective.
• Ensure architectural artefacts produced (including Solution Options and Recommendations, Solution Intents, and High-Level Designs) are approved/endorsed through appropriate Architecture Governance processes, working collaboratively with Integration, Security, Platform and other SMEs to deliver comprehensive solution collateral.
• Collateral produced must be written in an easily digestible way, which is fit for purpose of the audience it is aimed at.
• Define innovative solutions which consider non-functional requirements (e.g. Security, Performance, Reliability, Scalability, Stability, Data Archival, and Disaster Recovery).
• Provide Support and Guidance to Delivery and Test teams to ensure any changes necessary are validated in the context of the wider solution footprint.
• Work closely with Team members and other Solution Architects to define, document and resolve technical dependencies and blockers to achieve business value.
• Align to strategy, identifying transitional and tactical solutions when strategic options are not defined or available in each timeframe.
• Provide specialist technical support across all solutions.

About You

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK by the start of employment. Visa sponsorship may not be available for this role and will be considered in line with business requirements.

Technical Expertise

• Strong experience in designing large-scale data and analytics platforms
• Expertise in cloud architectures (preferably Azure, incl. Azure Data Factory, Synapse, Databricks, Fabric, etc.)
• Experience with big data technologies (Spark, Hadoop, distributed systems)
• Proficiency in data modelling, especially time-series and simulation datasets
• Knowledge of APIs, microservices, and event-driven architectures
• Energy Domain Knowledge Understanding of energy systems (electricity markets, renewables, grid operations, or oil & gas)
• Experience with energy modelling tools or frameworks (e.g., PLEXOS, TIMES, PyPSA, EnergyPLAN, or similar)
• Familiarity with scenario modelling, forecasting, and optimization techniques

Analytics and Modelling

• Strong understanding of statistical modelling, machine learning, or optimization approaches
• Experience enabling data science workflows (e.g., notebooks, MLOps)
• Knowledge of Python, R, or similar for modelling environments

Soft Skills

• Excellent problem-solving and systems-thinking abilities
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive architectural decisions

About you

• We’re looking for someone who: Is passionate about enabling net zero and energy system transformation
• Has experience delivering complex, cross-domain architectures
• Can bridge the gap between strategy, policy, and technology
• Has strong experience in data-led platforms and decision-support systems
• Is a confident communicator who can engage at business, technical and executive levels

What You'll Get

A competitive salary of circa £72,000 - £80,000 dependent on experience and capabilityAs well as your base salary, you will receive a bonus of up to 15% of your salary for stretch performance, 28 days annual leave as standard, and a competitive contributory pension scheme where we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%. NESO's flexible benefits programme provides you with more flexibility around your health, lifestyle and protection benefits, here's just a few available:

• Flexible Bank Holidays & Holiday Trading
• Additional Birthday Day Off
• Cycle to Work Scheme, Retail & Gym Discounts
• Private Medical Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance & Personal Accident Insurance

About Us

At the National Energy System Operator (NESO), we play a vital role in tackling climate change and securing Great Britain's energy future. We already operate the world's fastest decarbonising electricity system and are working towards our ambition to run it carbon-free for a short period this year - provided the market supplies electricity exclusively from renewable sources. Alongside this, we provide expert advice to government on how to deliver a clean power system by 2030. In autumn 2024, the Electricity System Operator (ESO) transitioned to become NESO - an independent, expert public corporation with a whole-system view across electricity, gas, and hydrogen. NESO operates independently and transparently, always acting in the best interests of all energy users. Licensed and regulated by Ofgem, we make impartial decisions that balance sustainability, affordability and security. Our organisation is fully independent from government, the regulator and all commercial interests, with a clear focus on system-wide benefit, long term thing and public value. The time to deliver is now. Join the energy transformation and help shape the future. Your energy. Our future. Together

National Energy System Operator (NESO) recognises the potential of bright and talented individuals, and we encourage you to join us as Great Britain’s energy system undergoes an ambitious, exciting, and vital transformation. Together with industry, we are creating a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.

More Information

This role closes at 23:59, on the day before date shown above. Research shows that some people may hesitate to apply unless they meet every single requirement. At NESO, we believe potential comes in many forms and we're committed to a fair, inclusive recruitment. We're committed to building a workforce that represents the communities we serve, and a working environment in which each individual feels valued, respected, fairly treated, and able to reach their full potential. process where everyone has the opportunity to show their talents. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds. At the National Energy System Operator (NESO), we play a vital role in tackling climate change and securing Great Britains's energy future. We already operate the world's fastest decarbonising electricity system and are working towards our ambition to run it carbon-free for a short period this year - provided the market supplies electricity exclusively from renewable sources. Alongside this, we provide expert advice to government on how to deliver a clean power system by 2030. In autumn 2024, the Electricity System Operator (ESO) transitioned to become NESO - an independent, expert public corporation with a whole-system view across electricity, gas, and hydrogen. NESO operates independently and transparently, always actin in the best interests of all energy users. Licensed and regulated by Ofgem, we make impartial decisions that balance sustainability, affordability and security. Our organisation is fully independent from government, the regulator and all commercial interests, with a clear focus on system-wide benefit, long term thing and public value. The time to deliver is now. Join the energy transformation and help shape the future. Your energy. Our future. Together