Solution Architect

Position Overview

The Solution Architect operates primarily at the tactical/project level while guiding alignment to enterprise strategy and informing the evolution of architectural standards that address the complex business needs of multiple projects and systems. This individual will develop a deep familiarity with the organization's environment, enabling resiliency, scalability, simplicity, and security in all solutions. The Solution Architect will work in close partnership with the Enterprise Architect and the Architecture Review Board, actively contributing to the co-creation and enforcement of architectural guardrails and standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Solution Design & Delivery
• Design robust, scalable, and secure solutions that align with enterprise architecture guardrails and organizational priorities.
• Work with project teams to evaluate project scope and develop non-functional project requirements
• Lead solution architecture for technology projects, ensuring integration across systems and domains.
• Develop and maintain deep knowledge of the organization's technology landscape, business processes, and strategic objectives.
• Evaluate and recommend technology options, to balance fit-for-purpose, cost, and long-term sustainability.
• Collaboration & Engagement
• Partner with Enterprise Architect(s) to ensure solutions align with the enterprise's target architecture and strategic roadmap.
• Engage with and present to the Architecture Review Board to review, refine, and approve solution designs, standards, and patterns.
• Drives alignment across teams through facilitation, negotiation, and influence rather than positional authority.
• Serves as a trusted advisor to project teams, business stakeholders, and IT leadership.
• Governance & Standards
• Advises in the creation and evolution of architectural guardrails, standards, and reference models to guide solution development.
• Ensure project compliance with organizational policies, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of architecture and design documentation, as-built diagrams, and repositories.
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Monitor emerging technologies and trends, assessing their applicability to organizational needs.
• Advocate for and implement practices that drive simplicity, reusability, and operational efficiency.
• Support ongoing improvement of architecture processes, tools, and methodologies.
• Identify areas where technical debt can be reduced or eliminated through best practices and solutions.

Required Skills & Experience

• Proven experience designing and delivering solutions across multiple technology domains (applications, data, infrastructure, security).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; ability to model complex systems and evaluate trade-offs, across technology domains.
• Excellent storytelling, documentation, collaboration skills; able to facilitate consensus among diverse stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to balance strategic objectives with practical constraints and project realities.
• Experience creating architecture diagrams which articulate complex ideas simply.
• Experience working with governance bodies (e.g., Architecture Review Board)
• Experience contributing to the development of standards.
  
  

Key Attributes

• Strategically Driven: Thinks beyond immediate project needs to ensure solutions support long-term business and technology goals.
• Resiliency & Security Focused: Designs solutions that are robust, secure, and adaptable to change.
• Simplicity Advocate: Strives for simple, intuitive, and maintainable solutions that minimize complexity and reduces technical debt.
• Collaborative Partner: Works effectively with Enterprise Architects, business leaders, and technical teams.
• Continuous Learner: Stays current with technology trends and best practices, proactively seeking opportunities for innovation.