Solutions Architect

Clicks Group; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 800 000 - 1 200 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail company based in Cape Town is seeking an experienced Solutions Architect to design effective IT solutions within a defined architectural framework. The role requires over 10 years in applications development and extensive experience in application design. Key responsibilities include leading discussions with business unit leadership and analyzing complex IT issues. Candidates must have a Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience in Computer Science and familiarity with various integration technologies and cloud platforms. This is a permanent, full-time position.

Qualifications

• 10 years in applications development practice.
• 4 years in application design and applying industry-standard development methodologies.
• 2–3 years in line management or technical leadership roles.

Responsibilities

• Design IT solutions within defined architectural framework.
• Lead solution discussions with business leaders and consultants.
• Analyze complex issues including performance and scalability.
• Contribute to architecture strategy and roadmap.
• Conduct peer reviews and provide recommendations.

Skills

Enterprise Architecture frameworks (awareness level)

Integration technologies and patterns (APIs, ESB, microservices)

Cloud platforms and architecture (Azure, AWS, GCP)

Security and compliance principles

DevOps and CI/CD pipelines (Jenkins, GitHub Actions)

Data architecture concepts (data lakes, warehouses, MDM)

Software design patterns and performance optimization

Business process modelling (BPMN, UML)

Education

Bachelor's Degree or Diploma in Computer Science or equivalent experience

Job description

Position Summary

Solutions Architect – Clicks Group, Head Office, Cape Town.

Permanent, full-time role reporting to the Head of Enterprise Architecture.

Apply by 25 December .

Listing reference : click_

Job Description

Design effective IT solutions that meet business needs within a defined architectural framework and roadmap.

The Solutions Architect will be responsible for systems analysis, design, and solution development within their area of responsibility, with consideration for the impact on the end-to-end applications architecture.

This role is critical in establishing and maturing the enterprise architecture capability within the organization.

Responsibilities

Understand project and business requirements and deliver IT solutions, architectural designs, and technical specifications aligned with agreed architectural methods and design standards.

Lead solution discussions with demand managers, business unit leadership, and external consultants.

Assess the impact of proposed changes on existing systems and architecture, and estimate implementation effort.

Analyze and address complex issues including performance, scalability, and manageability of system solutions.

Participate in the development of architecture strategy and roadmap, especially in a low EA maturity environment.

Contribute to the improvement of solutions architecture and development processes by enforcing standards and templates.

Conduct peer reviews, validation, and testing of code, and provide recommendations using current development standards.

Evaluate project and vendor solutions and recommend appropriate products / software from an end-to-end architectural perspective.

Stay abreast of industry developments to enhance IT solution capabilities.

Run proof‑of‑concept initiatives for new tools, platforms, and methodologies.

Minimum Requirements

• Enterprise Architecture frameworks (e.g., TOGAF, Zachman) – awareness level.
• Integration technologies and patterns (e.g., APIs, ESB, microservices).
• Cloud platforms and architecture (e.g., Azure, AWS, GCP).
• Security and compliance principles.
• DevOps and CI / CD pipelines (e.g., Jenkins, GitHub Actions).
• Data architecture concepts (e.g., data lakes, warehouses, MDM).
• Software design patterns and performance optimization.
• Business process modelling (e.g., BPMN, UML).

Job Experience

10 years in applications development practice.

4 years in application design and applying industry-standard development methodologies.

2–3 years in line management or technical leadership roles.

Experience in leading solution reviews and assessments.

Exposure to digital transformation initiatives.

Education

Bachelor's Degree or Diploma in Computer Science, Information Systems, or equivalent experience (minimum 10 years in application development).

Job Related Competencies

• Strategic Thinking
• Technical Leadership
• Solution Design & Evaluation
• Innovation & Continuous Improvement
• Stakeholder Engagement & Influence
• Risk Assessment & Mitigation
• Deciding and Initiating Action
• Relating and Networking
• Persuading and Influencing
• Analyzing
• Coping with Pressures and Setbacks
• Presenting and Communicating Information