Solutions Architect (Applications) - Contract

Sword is a leading provider of business technology solutions within the Energy, Public and Finance Sectors, driving real transformation change within our clients. We use proven technology, specialist teams and domain expertise to build solid technical foundations across platforms, data and business applications. We have a passion for using technology to solve business problems, working in partnership with our clients to help in achieving their goals. Sword is supporting a key Oil & Gas programme with an oil and gas customer and is seeking an experienced Solutions Architect to play a critical role in shaping and assuring application-led solution designs. This is a hands-on architecture role focused on applications, integration, and data flows, with an appreciation of the enabling infrastructure landscape (IAM, cloud/hybrid, networking). You'll work within a structured governance environment, ensuring solutions are aligned to architecture principles and ready for delivery into BAU.

Application-Led Solution Design

• Define end-to-end solution architectures across applications, integration, and data layers
• Translate business requirements into pragmatic, scalable designs
• Identify retained, new, or transitional applications to support business capabilities

Design & Documentation

• Produce High Level Designs (HLDs) and supporting artefacts
• Ensure all designs are clear, consistent, and governance-ready
• Maintain documentation aligned to programme standards

Infrastructure Awareness

• Design solutions with awareness of: Identity & Access Management (IAM)
• Integration approaches
• Cloud / hybrid hosting models
• Network and segmentation considerations
• Collaborate with infrastructure and security specialists

Governance & Assurance

• Engage with the Technical Design Authority (TDA)
• Support design reviews, queries, and assurance processes
• Provide feedback on third-party or workstream designs

Delivery & Transition

• Ensure architectural intent is maintained through delivery and go-live
• Support cutover, transition, and early life activities

Requirements

• Essential
• Proven experience as a Solutions Architect with a strong applications focus
• Experience designing end-to-end solutions across applications, integration, and data
• Good understanding of underlying infrastructure (non-hands-on)
• Experience working within design governance frameworks
• Strong stakeholder engagement and documentation skills
• Desirable
• Experience in supplier or systems integrator environments
• Exposure to Day 1 / separation / greenfield programmes
• Experience in multi-vendor or multi-tower environments
• TOGAF or equivalent architecture certification.

Benefits

At Sword, our core values and culture are based on caring about our people, investing in training and career development and building inclusive teams where we are all encouraged to contribute to achieve success. We Offer Comprehensive Benefits Designed To Support Your Professional Development And Enhance Your Overall Quality Of Life. In Addition To a Competitive Salary , Here's What You Can Expect As Part Of Our Benefits Package:

• Personalised Career Development: We create a development plan customised to your goals and aspirations, with a range of learning and development opportunities within a culture that encourages growth.
• Flexible working: Flexible work arrangements to support your work-life balance. We can't promise to always be able to meet every request, however are keen to discuss your individual preferences to make it work where we can.
• A Fantastic Benefits Package: This includes generous annual leave allowance, enhanced family friendly benefits, pension scheme, access to private health, well-being, and insurance schemes, an employee assistance programme, discounted cash plan and more.....

At Sword we are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and are proud to be an equal opportunities employer, ensuring that all applicants receive fair and equal consideration for employment, regardless of whether they meet every requirement. If you don't tick all the boxes but feel you have some of the relevant skills and experience we're looking for, please do consider applying and highlight your transferable skills and experience. We embrace diversity in all its forms, valuing individuals regardless of age, disability, gender identity or reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. Your perspective and potential are important to us. If we can do anything to help make the hiring process more accessible, please let our talent acquisition team know when you apply so we can support any adjustments.