Solutions Architect

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