Principal Solution Architect

UKRI; Swindon; Hybrid; GBP 69,000; Full time

Job description

UK Research and Innovation

Principal Solution Architect

Salary: £68,525

Hours: Full time (Flexible working options available)

Contract Type: Open ended

Location: Polaris House, Swindon (Hybrid working available with approximately 2 days a week in the office)

Closing Date: Sunday 27th April 2025

Security

As a minimum, due to the nature of this role, candidates must be eligible for clearance in line with UK National vetting guidelines and willing to undertake the process. The level of clearance required is security check.

Job Overview

This post provides a rare opportunity for an experienced Solution Architect to step into a leading role in an organisation at the heart of research and innovation in the UK. Working as part of a team of technical specialists, and reporting directly to the Chief Architect, your broad remit is to design, guide, and oversee the architectural development of a custom-built system built primarily on Amazon Web Services (AWS) that leverages microservices architecture. The system will integrate seamlessly with other core business systems to support operational efficiency and scalability.

Responsibilities

• Provide advice and guidance, and make decisions, in line with architectural best practice.
• Coach and mentor junior solution architects, product managers, and lead developers in architecture practices.
• Lead multiple architecture projects or programmes.
• Proactively build relationships with senior stakeholders across multiple business and technical areas in the organisation and its partners.
• Be proactive in identifying opportunities to improve the organisation and its partners.
• Work with technology partners to inform their roadmaps.
• Take a leading role in the overall direction of business and digital capabilities.
• Inspire other architects and help them understand how to meet organisational goals.

About you

• Strong knowledge of microservices design principles and best practices.
• A bachelor's or post-graduate degree in a relevant field, such as IT, computer science, or software engineering.
• AWS / Azure certified Solution Architect.
• TOGAF Certified or equivalent.
• Expertise in APIs, RESTful services, and message-based communication.
• Experience with containerization and orchestration.
• Proficiency in cloud platforms.
• Experience with agile project delivery using DevOps practices and CI/CD pipelines.
• Knowledge of security best practices and data privacy regulations.
• Familiarity with Agile (Scrum, Kanban, and SAFe) methodologies.

Benefits

We recognise and value our employees as individuals and aim to provide a favourable pay and rewards package! We are committed to supporting employees’ development and promote a culture of continuous learning! A list of benefits below:

• An outstanding defined benefit pension scheme.
• 30 days’ annual leave in addition to 10.5 public and privilege days (full time equivalent).
• Employee discounts and offers on retail and leisure activities.
• Employee assistance programme, providing confidential help and advice.
• Flexible working options.

How to apply

Together with the CV supply a letter of suitability of up to 1250 words detailing how you meet the essential criteria to be assessed at sifting referencing evidence of your experience and skills. Failure to submit a full application will mean the panel only have limited information on which to assess your application against the criteria in the person specification.

Other key information

If you would like to discuss the role in more detail by having an informal chat with the hiring manager before applying, please contact David Bathe on [e-mail].