Solution Architect – Contract
Location: Milton Keynes or London – Hybrid
Contract: Initial 6 months, with potential extension
Day Rate: Competitive
IR35: Outside IR35 preferred
We are looking for an experienced Solution Architect to join a complex technology transformation programme within a large enterprise environment.
The role will focus on understanding the existing technology landscape, assessing current capabilities and constraints, defining future-state architecture and developing a practical roadmap for implementation.
You will work across architecture, technology, integration and delivery, engaging with both technical teams and senior business stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
* Assess existing applications, platforms and integration architecture.
* Develop and evaluate technology and architectural options.
* Define target-state architecture and technical principles.
* Identify technical risks, dependencies and opportunities for simplification.
* Translate business requirements into appropriate technical solutions.
* Work closely with engineering teams to validate architectural decisions.
* Support technical prototypes and proof-of-concepts where required.
* Produce clear architecture documentation and implementation roadmaps.
* Facilitate technical workshops and stakeholder discussions.
* Support delivery teams through the transition from architecture into implementation.
Essential Experience
* Strong commercial experience as a Solution Architect or Technical Architect.
* Experience designing and assessing complex distributed systems.
* Strong understanding of APIs, integrations and event-driven architectures.
* Experience with modern application and cloud technologies.
* Strong understanding of software development principles and architecture.
* Experience assessing existing systems and developing practical improvement strategies.
* Comfortable working where requirements or documentation may initially be incomplete.
* Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
* Able to explain complex technical concepts to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Desirable Experience
* GCP or other cloud platforms.
* Java / JVM technologies.
* Microservices architecture.
* Event-driven architecture.
* Data and integration platforms.
* Enterprise technology transformation or modernisation programmes.
* Experience within large, complex or regulated organisations.
This role would suit a pragmatic architect who is comfortable working at both strategic and detailed technical levels and can confidently challenge assumptions and make evidence-based recommendations
