Solution Architect - Purpose of the role
The Solutions Architect is responsible for designing, guiding, and assuring the delivery of end-to-end technology solutions that meet business objectives and are scalable, secure, and sustainable. This role requires architectural leadership/support across the full solution lifecycle — from concept and design through implementation and transition into operations.
Responsibilities
- Define end-to-end solution architectures aligned to business strategy, enterprise standards, and technology roadmaps.
- Translate business requirements into practical, scalable, and maintainable solution designs.
- Evaluate technology options and provide clear architectural recommendations.
- Ensure solutions meet requirements for performance, security, resilience, and compliance.
- Take ownership of the architecture across the entire solution delivery lifecycle.
- Ensure third party service providers build technical solutions in accordance with the RCS and/or infrastructure/ solutions design standards.
- Provide architectural guidance and decision-making support to delivery teams.
- Ensure architectural integrity is maintained throughout implementation.
- Identify and proactively manage technical risks, dependencies, and constraints.
- Support successful transition of solutions into operational support.
- Engage proactively with business stakeholders to understand needs and shape solution direction.
- Communicate complex technical concepts in a clear and business-friendly manner.
- Facilitate design workshops, architecture reviews, and decision forums.
- Build trusted relationships across business and technology teams.
- Ensure solutions align with enterprise architecture principles and standards.
- Take ownership and/or support the architecture governance and review processes.
- Document architecture decisions, assumptions, and designs clearly.
- Identify opportunities to improve architecture practices, delivery approaches, and technology usage.
- Stay current with emerging technologies and industry trends.
- Mentor and guide other architects and technical team members where required.
Competency profile
- Broad technical background across multiple technology domains (e.g., applications, integration, data, infrastructure, cloud, security).
- Strong understanding of solution architecture principles and design practices.
- Experience working across full solution delivery lifecycles.
- Ability to assess and select appropriate technologies and platforms.
- Understanding of system integration patterns and distributed architectures.
- Familiarity with cloud platforms and modern application architectures.
- Working knowledge of software development practices and methodologies.
- Prior hands‑on technical experience (development and infrastructure) is required, although active coding is not expected.
- Strong ownership mindset with accountability for end‑to‑end solution outcomes.
- Proactive and forward‑thinking in identifying risks, gaps, and opportunities.
- Excellent interpersonal and relationship‑building skills.
- Ability to influence and guide technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
- Strong facilitation and decision‑making capabilities.
- Clear and confident communicator, both written and verbal.
- Ability to balance strategic thinking with practical delivery realities.
- Collaborative leadership style with the ability to work across teams.
- Sense of personal accountability.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
- Degree in IT, Computer Engineering, or Information Systems.
- 8+ years’ proven experience as a Solutions Architect.
- Technical knowledge across development (.NET, C#, SQL Server), infrastructure (Windows), cloud (AWS, Azure, GCP), security (OWASP), data and regulatory (POPIA, PCI/DSS) – Advantageous (but not mandatory) – Knowledge of containerization (Docker, Kubernetes).
- Experience with hybrid architectures and on‑prem/cloud integration.
- Demonstrated experience assessing and leading cloud migration initiatives (workload suitability analysis, high level cost modelling, risk identification, and evaluation of migration strategies – 7Rs).
- Experience delivering enterprise applications in financial services and/or banking environments.
- Strong understanding of API‑based integration.
- Exceptional problem‑solving, communication, and organisational skills.
- Ability to simplify complex problems and pitch solutions at the right level.
- Documenting solutions and integration designs, in written (longform) and diagrammatically.
- Organisational Skills (juggle multiple priorities, meet goals and deadlines).
- Interpersonal Skills (ability to influence people and excellence in relationship management).
- Proven team leadership or mentoring experience.
Success Measures
- Solutions delivered that meet business objectives and architectural standards.
- Reduced technical risk and improved delivery outcomes.
- Positive stakeholder engagement and trust.
- Clear, well‑governed, and sustainable solution designs.