Solutions Architect

iO Associates; Bristol; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology consulting firm is seeking a Senior Solutions Architect in Bristol. In this hybrid role, you will collaborate on projects primarily within the defence and public sector. The ideal candidate should have a strong understanding of complex systems and experience engaging with customers. This position offers a competitive salary of £80,000 to £120,000, depending on experience, plus bonuses.

Qualifications

• Experience working in or with MOD, government, or complex organizations.
• Eligibility for SC clearance.

Responsibilities

• Shape customer problems early in discussions.
• Define solutions incorporating technology and delivery models.
• Identify risks and adapt delivery strategies.

Skills

Understanding of complex technical systems

Confidence in customer engagement

Ability to bring together people and ideas

Job description

Senior Solutions Architect

Location: Bristol (Hybrid - 3 days per week in office)
Salary: £80,000 - £120,000 (DOE) + bonus / incentive scheme
Eligibility: Must be eligible for SC Clearance, Bonus if active clearance is held.

About the Role

You'll be part of a small team that works across a range of projects, mainly within the defence and public sector space. The role isn't about chasing sales or managing accounts; it's about helping customers understand their challenges, then working with our engineers and delivery teams to figure out how we can best solve them.

What You'll Be Doing

• Getting involved early in customer discussions - helping shape problems, not just respond to them.

• Defining solutions that bring together the right technology, delivery model and commercial approach.

• Working across domains such as C4ISR, defence, and government technology programmes.

• Identifying risks and challenges early and helping to structure delivery around them.

• Working with technical specialists across compute, systems and software to ensure solutions are sound and achievable.

• Providing technical credibility in customer meetings and supporting bid development.

What We're Looking For

This role would suit someone who's spent time in technically led environments - maybe as a systems engineer, solution architect or technical lead - and who enjoys working with customers and shaping work at an early stage.

We're open on seniority: we're interested in people with the right mindset and capability, not just those with a certain number of years' experience.

Required:

• A good understanding of complex technical systems and how they fit together.

• Experience working in or with MOD, government, or other complex organisations.

• Confidence talking with customers, understanding their context and priorities.

• The ability to bring together people, ideas and delivery plans to make things happen.

• Eligibility for SC clearance (dual nationals considered depending on country).

Nice to have:

• Experience in C4ISR or related domains.

• Exposure to SaaS or product-led environments.

• An interest in systems of systems and interoperability challenges.