Solutions Architect - #2157291

Solutions Architect

£650-750 per day (Inside IR35)

12 month contract

2-3 days per week - Sheffield

**JANUARY START**

Our client is at the forefront of technology, innovation and national security. Bringing together talented people, cutting-edge digital capabilities and a shared purpose: to protect what matters most in an increasingly connected world.

Looking for passionate, curious and forward-thinking individuals to join our team and help solve some of the most complex challenges facing our customers. Whether you’re an experienced professional or looking to take the next step in your career, you’ll have the opportunity to work on meaningful projects, develop your skills and make a real impact.

We're looking for an experienced Solution Architect to help shape the future technology landscape of a growing defence business.

Reporting to the Head of department, you'll lead the definition and design of technology solutions across enterprise applications, cyber security, operational technology and business transformation initiatives.

Working closely with business stakeholders and strategic suppliers, you'll take ownership of solution design, technology governance and the development of business cases that secure investment and deliver measurable business value.

The role combines architecture, business engagement and technical leadership. You'll be expected to understand business challenges, develop solution options, assess costs and benefits, and build compelling business cases that support decision-making at senior leadership level.

Core duties:

• Act as Solution Design Authority across projects, change initiatives and technology investments.
• Lead the development of business cases, including option analysis, benefits, risks, costs and implementation approaches.
• Work with stakeholders to capture requirements and translate business needs into practical technology solutions.
• Produce and govern architecture and technical design documentation.
• Document and assess the current technology landscape, identifying risks, gaps and opportunities for improvement.
• Support SAP S/4HANA governance and adoption as a member of the SAP Working Group.
• Lead technical aspects of cyber assessments and develop remediation roadmaps across IT and OT environments.
• Provide architectural oversight and challenge to managed service providers, vendors and delivery partners.
• Setup and chair the Architecture Review Board

Essential Skills & Experience:

• Proven experience as a Solution Architect within a complex enterprise environment.
• Strong understanding of enterprise applications, infrastructure, integrations, and cyber security principles.
• Demonstrable experience leading the production of architecture and technical documentation; High Level Designs (HLDs), Low Level Designs (LLDs), Application Architecture Diagrams, System Context and Data Flow Diagrams, Integration Specifications and Interface Documentation, System Security Plans (SSPs), Security Operating Procedures (SyOPs), Technical Remediation Plans, As-Is and To-Be Architecture Models
• Experience documenting complex IT estates, including applications, infrastructure, supplier-owned services, integrations, dependencies and technology roadmaps.
• Ability to identify architectural, operational and security gaps and translate these into clear technical recommendations and implementation plans.
• Experience gathering and analysing business requirements and producing solution options, impact assessments and business cases for new initiatives and technology investments.
• Experience working with managed service providers, software vendors and delivery partners, providing technical governance and constructive challenge where required.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Experience supporting governance forums, architecture reviews, change approval boards and investment decision-making.

Desirable Skills & Experience:

• SAP S/4HANA architecture, integration or governance experience.
• Defence, manufacturing or engineering sector experience.
• Operational Technology (OT) architecture and cyber security experience.
• Knowledge of NIST, ISO27001 or similar security frameworks.
• Experience supporting cyber assessments, security accreditation activities and remediation programmes.
• TOGAF, CISSP or equivalent professional certifications.