Location: Hybrid - Manchester
Contract Type: Outside IR35
Duration: Initial 6 months with extensions
Day Rate: Competitive
Overview
Our client is a leading UK technology consultancy delivering complex transformation programmes across public and private sector organisations. They are looking for an experienced Solutions Architect to lead the design and delivery of cloud-native platforms and enterprise applications. You will work closely with engineering, data, AI and product teams to define architecture, guide delivery and ensure scalable, secure solutions.
Key Responsibilities
* Own end-to-end solution architecture across application, data, integration, infrastructure and security layers.
* Produce High Level Designs, Architecture Decision Records and technical documentation.
* Design cloud-native solutions using Microsoft Azure.
* Define API-first, event-driven and microservices architectures.
* Work closely with software engineers, data engineers, product teams and stakeholders.
* Lead architecture workshops and present designs to technical governance boards.
* Ensure solutions align with security, performance and operational requirements.
* Support delivery teams through implementation and provide technical leadership.
* Drive best practice across DevOps, CI/CD and engineering standards.
* Mentor engineers and contribute to architecture communities.
Key skills:
* Strong focus on:
* End-to-end solution design
* Re-architecting / “rip and replace” legacy systems
* Data migration strategy
* Technology selection and trade-offs
* Workflow and system orchestration
* Expected to work closely with BA outputs to shape solution direction
* Needs strong understanding of scalable, modern architectures and AI-enabled workflows.
Experience Required
* Proven background delivering architecture on large-scale transformation programmes.
* Strong experience within consultancy or client-facing environments.
* Ability to operate across multiple workstreams and stakeholders.
* Experience producing architecture artefacts and supporting governance processes.
* Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
* Experience working within regulated environments such as financial services, insurance, healthcare or government is advantageous.
* Previous experience leading distributed engineering teams.
Candidate Profile
You are a hands-on Solutions Architect ideally from a consultancy background who combines strong technical depth with excellent stakeholder engagement. You enjoy solving complex problems, influencing engineering teams and delivering high-quality solutions across cloud, data and digital transformation programmes
Salary description
£600.00 - £650.00 per day