Solutions Architect

Initialize; Greater London; Remote; GBP 101,000 - 111,000; Full time

Job summary

Initialize is seeking a seasoned Solutions Architect for a GDS/government project in London, with an outstanding track record in enterprise-scale solution design. You will lead multi-team design efforts, advocate SAFe practices, and shape secure, scalable cloud architectures using Azure, Power Platform and Dynamics 365.

You will engage with Architecture Review Boards, translate complex requirements into compelling narratives, and ensure alignment with GOV.UK standards and data protection rules

Qualifications

• 15+ years in IT including 5+ years as solution architect.
• Proven experience delivering enterprise-scale solution design for multi-team programmes.
• Experience as a Solution Architect across multiple ARTs in SAFe or scaled agile environments.
• Strong hands-on Azure architecture covering PaaS, containers/AKS, serverless, networking and security.
• Solid experience with Power Platform and Dynamics 365/M365 design, including Dataverse and environment strategy.
• Experience in JVM-based architectures (Scala or similar) and microservices/cloud-native design.
• Deep expertise in integration: RESTful APIs, API management, event-driven patterns and messaging.
• Experience presenting designs at Design Authorities/Architecture Review Boards.
• Delivery experience in UK public sector digital services and familiarity with GDS standards and government assurance.
• Strong security architecture skills including NCSC guidance, UK GDPR, and non-functional design.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with ability to pitch architectural narratives at senior level.
• TOGAF or equivalent EA framework knowledge.
• Microsoft certifications such as AZ-305 and PL-600.
• Experience with ArchiMate, Sparx EA, LeanIX and IaC tools.
• Legacy modernization and data migration in government contexts.
• Knowledge of GOV.UK Design System, GOV.UK Notify/Pay and GOV.UK One Login.

Skills

Enterprise architecture

SAFe / Agile

Azure architecture

Power Platform & Dynamics 365

Scala / JVM microservices

Integration architecture

APIs / API Management

Event-driven design

Design Authority / Architecture Review

UK public sector experience

GOV.UK standards knowledge

Security architecture / NCSC

UK GDPR compliance

TOGAF / EA framework

AZ-305

PL-600

Architecture modelling tools

Terraform / Bicep (IaC)

Legacy modernization (government)

GOV.UK components

Tools

ArchiMate

Sparx EA

LeanIX

Terraform

Bicep

Job description

Solutions Architect - GDS/Governmment project - £550 - 600 inside IR35 - London/remote

Skills/Experience

Significant experience (typically 15+ years in IT, including 5+ years in solution architecture) leading enterprise-scale solution design for complex, multi-team programmes.

Proven experience as a Solution Architect across multiple ARTs or delivery streams within a SAFe or scaled agile environment.

Strong hands-on understanding of Microsoft Azure architecture and services (PaaS, containers/AKS, serverless, networking, security, DevOps).

Solid experience of Microsoft Power Platform and Dynamics 365/M365 solution design, including Dataverse, ALM, environment strategy and platform governance.

Experience of architecting systems built with Scala (or other JVM languages) and microservices/cloud-native design.

Deep expertise in integration architecture: RESTful APIs, API management, event-driven architecture, messaging and enterprise integration patterns.

Demonstrable experience presenting and defending designs at Design Authorities/Architecture Review Boards and working alongside Enterprise Architects.

Experience delivering UK public sector digital services and familiarity with the GDS Service Standard, Technology Code of Practice and government assurance processes.

Strong grasp of security architecture, NCSC guidance, data protection (UK GDPR) and non-functional design (performance, availability, resilience, accessibility).

Excellent written and verbal communication, with the ability to create a compelling architectural narrative and influence at senior level.

TOGAF certification or equivalent enterprise architecture framework knowledge.

Microsoft certifications such as Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305) and Power Platform Solution Architect Expert (PL-600).

Experience with architecture modelling tools (eg ArchiMate, Sparx EA, LeanIX) and Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, Bicep).

Experience of large-scale Legacy modernisation and data migration in government.

Knowledge of GOV.UK Design System, GOV.UK Notify/Pay and GOV.UK One Login.