Job Description:

Contract Solutions Architect

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.