Systems Solution Architect

MERITUS Talent have partnered with one of Europe's busiest defence firms for the hire of an Information Systems Solutions Architect on a contract basis.

Systems Solutions Architect - Contract - £66ph - Stevenage - SC Clearance - British Citizenship required - Hybrid - One day a week on site.

Overview of department:

Information Management (IM) defines, implements and adapts the Information Technology (IT) infrastructure and Information Systems (IS) strategy to the needs of the business and users. Within Information Management, the Information Systems teams have responsibilities for supporting and deploying business applications, with IS Engineering supporting a key pillar of our business.

Responsibilities:

The IS Engineering Solutions team supports the contribution to the programme, an international programme to deliver a new generation missile. The team supports the programme through collaboration with key partners in UK Defence and abroad, as well as looking at the internal state of MBDA's IM systems to meet the needs and new ways of working FC/ASW will deliver. The IS Engineering Solution Architect will cover both of these key activities working within an established team to prioritise and deliver improvements to our Engineering toolsets.

Assess Needs/Ideas according to the IM End to End Process as Technical Expert or apply the equivalent agile techniques adopted in the programme. Ensuring, and maturing the quality of the Scope, Feasibility and Business Case. Accountable for projects compliance with Technical Quality and Results working with the appropriate IM Delivery Teams for the agreed solutions.

Provide Systems Engineering processes/lifecycle subject matter expertise and advice at all stages and investigate the appropriate application solutions for all the programme needs in the application layer working closely with the Infrastructure Architect.

Undertake the following tailored to the solution/programme approach:

1. Interaction with counterparts in key partners for Enterprise goals.
2. Assess the compliance with Enterprise standards, and identify activities to improve our internal tooling.
3. Lead Business Case creation.
4. Participate in agile scrums where adopted.
5. Assist in the creation of feasible projects.
6. Propose or validate key technical solutions and lead design reviews.
7. Ensure all solution risks are identified and mitigated.
8. Provide subject matter technical expertise for issues and opportunities.
9. Gather and disseminate technical lessons learned and contribute to the action plan for agreed improvements, leading the technical actions.

The Solution Architect is responsible for supporting a variety of internal and external stakeholders within the scope of the programmes. Performing Business Analysis and Solution Design to define the digital transformation/adoption goals and develop solution roadmaps. Fostering strong stakeholder relationships and integrating into the programmes and functions in order to support and guide them to good and effective decisions.

Where possible align new concepts and solutions to the existing enterprise and digital transformation strategies, and the existing MBDA engineering capability. Propose innovation in the toolsets and solutions when that directly meets a business goal or delivery need that cannot be met with current capability. This role will also be responsible for ensuring that all solutions proposed align to IM's own strategy and reports to the existing IS Engineering Solution Architect.

Agree solution concepts with IM & Security teams to ensure full compliance with all appropriate regulatory bodies.

Skillset/experience required:

Understanding of:

Essential:

1. Designing technical solutions to meet business needs within security constraints.
2. Documenting designs clearly from an architectural perspective.

Advantageous:

1. The lifecycle of information systems including acquisition and development of new technology, with a view on utilising automation.
2. Application integration approaches, e.g. use of OLSC.
3. Awareness of industry infrastructure and operating standards such as SQL, DB2, Active Directory, Virtual Machines, WebSphere.

A broad level of Technical IT knowledge and expertise in the areas of developing concepts and scoping enterprise systems and services, especially in the integration of disparate and distributed solutions in a defence environment.

Excellent problem-solving skills.

Proven Business Analyst and Project Management skills with the ability to articulate technical information to different audiences. Able to communicate verbally and in writing at all company levels with the ability to articulate problems and solutions in business language.

Self-organising, and willing to work with team members towards a common goal. Adaptability will be important.

Desire to be part of high performing teams and to build strong and effective relationships. Agile in approach and mindset.