About us We are looking for a Solution Architect to join our Enterprise Architecture team. The role contributes to saving lives at sea by ensuring that information technology solutions and programmes across the organisation are suitably architected, designed and co-ordinated to deliver the RNLI’s core purpose through education, influence, supervision and rescue. You will help to create a vision of the solution that is being worked towards for specific projects, and then help the project stay on track to achieve that vision. Your role As Solution Architect (Junior), you will be responsible for supporting the appropriate architecture and design of end-to-end solutions and ensuring their alignment to strategic enterprise and business architectures. This is a specialist role that involves defining solutions for change in the context of the wider enterprise architecture, and helping to develop supporting roadmaps. With guidance and overarching support from the Lead Solution Architect, you will: Produce and lead the solution architecture for RNLI systems in response to technology and business-led demand, creating Solution Concepts or High Level Designs that give a high level view of the target solution across business, data, application and technology to provide an anchor for subsequent design and development. Involved from the beginning of change initiatives in requirements discovery and review to formulate Solution Concepts or High Level Designs and then work with the design team to ensure the detailed design conforms to the high level solution design, managing changes where these are necessary. Following through to implementation and delivery to check that the delivered solution conforms to the concept. Ensure that the Solution Concepts or High Level Designs adhere to the High Level Architecture Principles, or provide valid justifications where deviations or compromises are required. Where required, develop interim solution roadmaps to support stepped transition to the target solution. Identify and log exceptions and additions to domain standards during the course of solution design and development. Ensure that agreed deviations from the Solution Concept in design are recorded as technical debt and assigned for ongoing ownership to the relevant Domain Architect. Support Domain Architects in the creation and maintenance of roadmaps for the technology platforms and technologies in their portfolios, assisting in making decisions on the retention, elimination, replacement of or investment in existing applications and infrastructure. Participate in the Architecture Review Board and Technical Implementation Governance activities to submit Solution Concepts for review and approval of associated technical designs, supporting Domain Architects to ensure the conformance of developed solutions to the relevant domain roadmaps and overall Enterprise Architecture direction. About you To be considered as our new Solution Architect (Junior) you will need: To have experience in a Solution Architect role, or through engagement in equivalent activities in a similar role that demonstrates your capabilities and suitability for this Junior Solution Architect role To be keen to develop your career and develop your skills as a Solution Architect. To be a self-starter with an internal mindset to grow and stay up to date with developments in the technology landscape. To have the ability to work with both technical and non-technical people to drive improvement aligned to the organisational strategy and agreed Enterprise Architecture direction. Knowledge of the RNLI and experience working or volunteering for the organisation or another charity is strongly desirable, as is an enthusiasm for the role. Safeguarding The RNLI is committed to safeguarding; protecting a person’s health, wellbeing, and human rights, enabling them to live free from harm, abuse, and neglect. We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment and have a zero-tolerance approach. The suitability of all prospective employees and volunteers will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment. This will include relevant criminal record checks being carried out dependent on the eligibility of the role. (England & Wales; DBS check, Scotland; Disclosure Scotland PVG, Northern Ireland; Access NI, Republic of Ireland; Garda Vetting; International, International Child Protection Certificate process). Diversity at the RNLI Our staff and volunteers have been saving lives at sea without prejudice for 200 years. We respect and value diversity of background, skills and perspectives within our teams, and consider it essential to help us deliver a world-class lifesaving service. We are an inclusive organisation and welcome applications from everyone. In addition to having the skills needed for the role, we also look for applicants who share our commitment to living our RNLI values (trustworthy, courageous, selfless, and dependable), and helping us work towards Our Vision: To save Every One.