Lead Solution Architect - (Pay As You Go - PAYG)

Rail Delivery Group; London; Hybrid; GBP 62,000 - 88,000

Job description

Lead Solution Architect - (Pay As You Go - PAYG)

Salary: £62,500 - £87,500
Location: London - Hybrid
Contract: Permanent
Annual Leave: 30 Days + Excellent Benefits
Closing Date: 11th April 2025
Be Part of the Future of Rail
The railway in Britain is undergoing its most significant transformation in a generation, and Rail Delivery Group (RDG) is at the heart of it. With the creation of Great British Railways (GBR), we're helping shape a new era of smarter, simpler, and more connected ticketing.

RDG's Digital Ticketing Services (DTS) team leads innovation in smart ticketing, enabling fully interoperable digital solutions across the country. Our work helps Train Operating Companies (TOCs) deliver seamless journeys for millions of customers - now and into the future.

About The Role
Working with partners like Transport for Greater Manchester and Transport for West Midlands, RDG is delivering the Tap Converter to enable PAYG across integrated transport networks. This is a crucial design phase with real impact — your leadership will help shape the future of seamless travel in urban areas.

This role focuses on defining and delivering the technical architecture for PAYG ticketing via the Tap Converter. You'll work closely with local transport authorities, suppliers, and internal teams to ensure successful national adoption of this solution.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end solution architecture for your assigned ticketing domain
• Create and maintain technical documentation including data flows, integrations and architecture definitions
• Assess technical design options and ensure alignment with enterprise architecture and policy
• Collaborate with delivery teams, project managers and external suppliers to ensure successful implementation
• Take ownership of the Architecture Definition Document and present solutions to governance boards
• Ensure security, scalability, and interoperability of all solutions
• Mentor and guide a team of Solution Architects and support their professional development
• Contribute to the strategic roadmap and represent your domain at industry forums

Requirements
What We're Looking For
We're looking for someone with strong technical leadership and domain expertise in digital ticketing. You'll need to balance technical depth with excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills, and thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.

Essential Skills & Experience:

• AWS Certified Solution Architect (or equivalent experience)
• TOGAF or similar architectural certification
• Extensive experience leading technical architecture in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment
• Strong experience with API gateway platforms and integration design
• Knowledge of cloud platforms such as AWS
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Hands-on experience with architecture tools such as Visio, Lucidchart or Enterprise Architect
• Track record of delivering scalable, secure, high-performance digital solutions

Benefits
Why Work for RDG?
We offer a highly competitive package, including:

• 75% off rail travel for personal and family use, plus international rail discounts
• 30 Days annual leave (plus buy/sell options and additional leave for key life events)
• Season ticket loan for commuting costs
• Enhanced family leave - 30 weeks full pay for maternity, adoption, surrogacy, and shared parental leave
• Pension scheme - up to 11.58% employer contribution
• Private medical insurance (AXA PPP) including mental health and specialist care
• Discounted gym membership and access to wellbeing programmes

Career Development & Progression
You'll be part of a team driving innovation at a national scale, with the opportunity to influence long-term ticketing strategy. This role provides real ownership, the chance to work with leading-edge technologies and partners, and visibility at senior levels across the rail industry. You'll also gain wide exposure to transport and government stakeholders, opening up exciting development and progression opportunities within RDG.

Apply Now & Shape the Future of UK Rail
If you are interested in joining RDG as a Lead Solution Architect and shaping the future of digital ticketing, we'd love to hear from you!

Click Apply now to start your application and be part of a team that is leading digital innovation in the rail industry.

Please note that we are unable to consider applications from candidates who require visa sponsorship to work in the UK.

Seniority level

• Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Information Technology
• IT Services and IT Consulting