Principal-level Solution Architect
Hybrid (London or Manchester)
Work on complex, high-impact programmes where architecture decisions directly shape delivery outcomes. You will take ownership of solution design across large-scale transformations, working with senior clients, sales teams, and engineering leads to deliver systems that are robust, scalable, and commercially viable. This is a role with real accountability across both delivery and shaping work.
What you get
You will have ownership of architecture across large, multi-stream programmes, with direct access to senior client stakeholders and decision‑making forums. The role gives you the ability to influence scope, design direction, and delivery approach from early‑stage shaping through to implementation. You will be involved in both delivery and pre‑sales activity, contributing to how work is won as well as how it is delivered. The work moves beyond documentation into real implementation, in environments that are often complex, regulated, and high impact. You will work alongside experienced architects, engineers, and client leads, with the scope to operate at a senior level without being removed from delivery.
What you will be responsible for
You will own end‑to‑end solution architecture across complex programmes, setting architectural direction while enabling delivery teams to execute effectively. The role involves leading key decisions, trade‑offs, and risk management at programme level, and acting as a trusted technical partner to senior client stakeholders. You will shape solutions that balance technical quality with delivery constraints, review and challenge designs produced by other architects and engineers, and ensure that solutions are deliverable, secure, scalable, and commercially sound.
You will also play an active role in sales and pre‑sales activity. This includes working with account and sales teams to shape opportunities, contributing to proposals and bids, defining solution approaches, and supporting client discussions that lead to new work. You will not be expected to operate as an individual salesperson, but you will be expected to contribute meaningfully to how work is positioned and won.
You will also coach and mentor less experienced architects, helping raise the overall standard of solution thinking across teams.
Technical and delivery context
Successful candidates tend to bring experience across cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or GCP at scale, alongside API‑led and microservices‑based architectures. You are likely to have worked in complex integration environments involving legacy modernisation, and to have delivered architecture in regulated or high‑assurance settings. You will be comfortable producing HLDs and architectural decision artefacts that stand up in delivery, and familiar with structured architecture approaches such as TOGAF, applied pragmatically rather than rigidly.
What distinguishes this role
You will already have led architecture on complex programmes rather than only contributing to them. You will be credible with senior stakeholders and able to challenge constructively when required. You will understand how architecture decisions affect cost, delivery risk, and timelines, and be able to operate across delivery and pre‑sales without losing clarity. You will also be comfortable working in ambiguous or politically complex environments and contributing to how opportunities are shaped and progressed.
Mandatory requirements
Security clearance eligibility is a prerequisite. You must be a British citizen with no restrictions and eligible to obtain and hold UK Security Clearance. You must have been resident in the UK for the last five continuous years. No exceptions can be made on nationality or clearance eligibility.
Practical details
The role is hybrid, with London or Manchester as the primary locations, and on‑site presence required at key stages. A bonus and travel allowance are included.
If you are already operating at this level and want a role where you can influence both how work is won and how it is delivered, this is worth a conversation.
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