Solutions Architect

Job Description

Role:Solutions Architect

Rate: £600 Inside IR35

Duration: 6 month contract

Location: 2 per week - London

Clearance: Basic BPSS required

About the role

We are looking for a Solutions Architect to serve as the overarching Design Authority across multiple Agile Release Trains (ARTs).

This major digital transformation programme integrates bespoke, modern front-end systems with enterprise low-code platforms and secure cloud infrastructure.

In this role, you will define the end-to-end architecture vision, ensure cross-train technical cohesion, and guarantee compliance with strict central government standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Design Authority Across ARTs: Act as the primary Solution Architect in a SAFe delivery model, aligning multiple delivery teams, managing cross-ART technical dependencies, and shaping the architectural runway.
• Architecture Governance: Partner with the Enterprise Architect to present, defend, and steer architectural designs through TDAs, Architecture Review Boards, and service assessments (Alpha, Beta, Live).
• Artefact Delivery: Produce high-calibre High-Level and Low-Level Designs (HLDs/LLDs), Architecture Decision Records (ADRs), data flows, and security architectures.
• Technical Orchestration: Oversee technical design across a hybrid stack balancing custom-built Scala front ends, Microsoft Power Platform/Dynamics 365, and robust Azure cloud infrastructure.
• Integration & Security: Architect resilient API and event-driven integration patterns (APIM, Event Grid, Service Bus) while embedding security-by-design aligned with NCSC guidelines and UK GDPR.

Required Skills & Experience

• Designing scalable, secure and resilient solutions combining bespoke Scala with low-code Power Platform (Power Apps, Power Automate, Dataverse) and Dynamics 365 capabilities.
• Track Record: Proven experience leading solution design for complex, multi-team digital programmes (ideally within public sector/government contexts).
• Scaled Agile Delivery: Hands-on experience working across multiple streams or Agile Release Trains (ARTs) within a SAFe or scaled agile delivery framework.
• Core Technical Stack: Microsoft Azure: Deep PaaS, serverless, networking, landing zones, and security capabilities aligned with the Azure Well-Architected Framework.
• Microsoft Power Platform & Dynamics 365: Dataverse, environment strategy, ALM, and governance.
• Custom/Modern Engineering: Architecture of systems leveraging Scala (or other JVM microservices).
• Integration Architecture: REST APIs, messaging patterns, and enterprise integration platforms (e.g., Azure APIM, Logic Apps).
• Public Sector Standards: Solid working knowledge of the GDS Service Standard, Technology Code of Practice (TCoP), and NCSC Cloud Security Principles.
• Governance & Stakeholder Management: Proven ability to defend designs at governance boards and translate complex architectural concepts to executive stakeholders.

Desirable Qualifications

• Current or eligible for UK Security Clearance (BPSS / SC).
• Relevant certifications: PL-600 (Power Platform Solution Architect), AZ-305 (Azure Solutions Architect), TOGAF, or SAFe Architect/Agilist.
• Familiarity with common government platforms (GOV.UK One Login, Notify, Pay) and ArchiMate/Sparx EA modelling.