Sr. Solutions Architect - Secure Networks

SHI; City Of London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Diversity commitment

Growth opportunities

Health & wellness benefits

Job summary

SHI UK is seeking a Senior Solutions Architect to lead enterprise Cisco-focused solutions, designing, implementing, and governing secure, scalable architectures while collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver business value at scale.

The role requires 7+ years in enterprise solutions architecture, deep Cisco expertise, microservices and containerization experience, cloud, data and security knowledge, plus strong communication and governance skills.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in solutions architecture or senior technical roles within enterprise environments.
• CCIE or equivalent certifications.
• Bachelor's degree required; Master's preferred.
• Experience designing enterprise architectures and cross-functional collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Architect end-to-end enterprise-grade solutions aligned with strategic objectives.
• Lead development of SOWs, architectural standards, reusable frameworks and best practices.
• Evaluate emerging technologies, platforms, and integration patterns to support digital transformation.
• Translate complex business requirements into scalable, secure designs aligned with enterprise architecture principles.
• Facilitate solution design workshops detailing architecture, integrations, data flows and system interactions.
• Review and validate designs to ensure performance, scalability and governance.
• Collaborate with engineering, DevOps, and security teams to oversee delivery and governance.
• Support pre-sales and client engagements by aligning solutions to customer needs.

Skills

Cisco architecture

Microservices & APIs

Docker & Kubernetes

Security & compliance

CI/CD & IaC

Agile & DevOps

Stakeholder communication

Solution architecture

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/IS/Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Docker

Kubernetes

Terraform

CloudFormation

ARM

Job description

London, United Kingdom

Milton Keynes, United Kingdom

Full time

About Us

Since 1989, SHI International Corp. has helped organizations change the world through technology. We’ve grown every year since, and today we’re proud to be a $16 billion global provider of IT solutions and services.

Over 17,000 organizations worldwide rely on SHI’s concierge approach to help them solve what’s next. But the heartbeat of SHI is our employees – all 7,000 of them. If you join our team, you’ll enjoy:

• Our commitment to diversity, as the largest minority- and woman-owned enterprise in the U.S.

• Continuous professional growth and leadership opportunities.

• Health, wellness, and financial benefits to offer peace of mind to you and your family.

• World-class facilities and the technology you need to thrive – in our offices or yours.

Job Summary

The Sr Solutions Architect at SHI plays a critical leadership role in shaping and delivering enterprise-scale technology solutions focused around Cisco solutions. This role combines deep technical expertise, strategic thinking, and strong project leadership to design, implement, and govern secure, scalable, and high-performing architectures. As a trusted advisor, the Sr Solutions Architect bridges business objectives and technical execution, ensuring alignment with enterprise architecture, security standards, and modern technology frameworks, including cloud, data, AI, and Microsoft ecosystems. This individual partners closely with cross-functional teams, clients, and stakeholders to drive innovation and deliver business value at scale.

Role Description

(Including, but not limited to)

• Partner with business leaders, product owners, and technical teams to architect end-to-end, enterprise-grade solutions aligned with strategic objectives.

• Lead the development of Statements of Work (SOWs), architectural standards, reusable frameworks, and best practices to ensure consistent, high-quality delivery.

• Evaluate and recommend emerging technologies, platforms, and integration patterns to support digital transformation and innovation initiatives.

• Translate complex business requirements into scalable, secure, and maintainable technical solutions aligned with enterprise architecture principles.

• Facilitate and lead solution design workshops, defining architecture, integrations, data flows, and system interactions.

• Review and validate technical designs and implementation plans to ensure architectural integrity, performance, and scalability.

• Collaborate with engineering, DevOps, and security teams to oversee solution delivery, enforce governance, and ensure adherence to standards.

• Support pre-sales and client engagements by aligning solutions to customer needs, presenting architectural vision, and contributing to technical strategy.

Behaviors and Competencies

• Adaptability: Demonstrates agility in dynamic environments, proactively anticipating change and adjusting strategies to address evolving business and technical needs.

• Executive Communication: Effectively communicates complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences, influencing decision-making at all levels.

• Documentation & Governance: Produces and maintains high-quality architectural documentation, ensuring clarity, consistency, and adherence to standards.

• Leadership: Leads by influence, mentoring teams, driving technical excellence, and fostering innovation across projects and initiatives.

• Problem Solving: Anticipates risks, identifies root causes, and architects innovative, forward-thinking solutions to complex challenges.

• Collaboration: Drives cross-functional alignment, enabling teams to work cohesively toward shared outcomes.

• Self-Leadership: Demonstrates initiative, continuous learning, and a commitment to advancing both personal expertise and organizational capability.

Skill Level Requirements

• Deep expertise in cisco architecture.

• Strong experience designing microservices‑based architectures, APIs, and containerized environments (Docker, Kubernetes).

• Proven ability to architect solutions across enterprise systems, integration layers, and data platforms.

• Advanced knowledge of cybersecurity principles, data privacy, and regulatory compliance frameworks.

• Ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, business‑focused insights and recommendations.

• Experience with CI/CD pipelines, automation tools, and infrastructure‑as‑code (e.g., Terraform, ARM, CloudFormation).

• Strong understanding of modern software development methodologies, including Agile and DevOps practices.

• Exceptional analytical, problem‑solving, and communication skills.

Other Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related field required.

• Master’s degree preferred.

• 7+ years of experience in solutions architecture, system design, or senior‑level technical roles within enterprise environments.

• Industry‑recognised certifications, in particular CCIE and any other vendors

The compensation for this position is dependent on job‑related knowledge, skills, experience, and market location and, therefore, will vary from individual to individual.

SHI UK is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or any other legally protected status. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates and we are dedicated to providing a fair and accessible recruitment process.

Equal Employment Opportunity – M/F/Disability/Protected Veteran Status