Information Technology Solutions Architect

Introduction

Saab UK is part of Scandinavia’s largest defence company, bringing together the best of Swedish and British innovation. Saab offers world-leading solutions and services in defence, aviation, space, and civil security to keep people and society safe. Our UK presence has been growing at pace, meaning we can offer a wide range of opportunities for personal fulfilment and career growth. We currently employ over 600 people across eight sites in the UK, and our specialisations include software engineering, underwater robotics, radars, AI, and armed forces training.

The Information Technology Solutions Architect will be responsible for designing and implementing technology solutions that align with business objectives and technical requirements. This role bridges the gap between business needs and IT capabilities, ensuring that solutions are scalable, secure, and cost-effective. The Solution Architect works closely with stakeholders, developers, and project managers to deliver robust architectures that support organisational goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Solution Design & Architecture: Develop high-level and detailed solution architectures for IT systems and applications, ensuring compliance with enterprise architecture standards, security policies, and regulatory requirements. Create architectural diagrams, models, and documentation for proposed solutions.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with business analysts, project managers, and technical teams to understand requirements, and present architectural solutions to stakeholders to obtain buy-in.
• Technology Evaluation: Assess emerging technologies and recommend adoption where appropriate, conducting feasibility studies and cost-benefit analyses for proposed solutions.
• Governance & Standards: Define and enforce architectural principles, guidelines, and best practices, ensuring consistency and integration across systems and platforms.
• Implementation Support: Provide technical leadership during solution implementation, troubleshoot architectural issues, and guide development teams.
• Risk Management: Identify potential risks in solution design and propose mitigation strategies, ensuring compliance with data protection and cybersecurity standards.

Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.
• 7+ years in IT roles, with at least 3 years in solution architecture.
• Experience in large-scale system design and implementation.
• Certifications (Preferred): TOGAF, AWS/Azure Solution Architect, ITIL.
• Knowledge of enterprise architecture frameworks (e.g., TOGAF, Zachman).
• Proficiency in cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and hybrid architectures.
• Experience with APIs, microservices, and integration patterns.
• Understanding of networking, security, and infrastructure principles.
• Analytical & Problem-Solving: Ability to translate business requirements into technical solutions; strong analytical skills for evaluating complex systems.
• Communication & Leadership: Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to influence and negotiate with stakeholders at all levels; self-motivated, resilient, and able to work under pressure.

Key skills/competency

• Solution Architecture
• Enterprise Architecture
• Cloud Platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP)
• Microservices
• API Integration
• Cybersecurity
• Risk Management
• Stakeholder Management
• Technical Leadership
• TOGAF