Solutions Architect

At AQA, we’re committed to advancing education and we’re committed to our people. As the largest provider of academic qualifications in the UK, we mark over seven million GCSEs and A-levels each year and it’s our people who make this happen.

Solutions Architect

Permanent

Milton Keynes: £67,000 - £78,000

Manchester £65,000 - £75,000

Smart Working - Approximately 2 days per week in office although this may be more/less depending on work requirements.

Do you have an interest and passion for solution architecture, with knowledge and experience of using cloud providers especially Azure?

Do you want to join an organisation at the start of the Architecture evolution and play a critical role in the migration, modernisation and convergence programme?

Is it important to you that your work makes a clear and tangible difference to not only your colleagues but to a wider audience?

We are looking to expand our growing Architecture team with either an experienced Solution Architect or Senior Software Developer who are looking to transition into a Solution Architect role.

As a team we will be focusing on ensure all our products and solutions are fit for purpose, this includes enhancing the current solutions as well as ensuring the technology remains up to date and fit for the future roadmaps.

If you have the experience and confidence to drive solutions and can effectively influence innovation and change, we’d love to hear to talk about how we can work together to use and enhance your skills.

Desirable Skills

• Experience in the design of modern cloud applications and the methods used to analyze and documents such architectures.
• Ability to persuades and influence both internal and external stakeholders.
• Nurture, support and encourage the development teams to ensure they stay engaged with the technical vision
• Have a can-do attitude with the ability to manage your own time
• Be inquisitive and eager to research and learn new and emerging technologies
• Be a strong team player

What’s in it for you:

At AQA we recognise our employees' contribution and in return we are proud to offer an extensive reward and benefit package.

This includes:

• 25 days' annual leave rising to 30 days with service, plus all Bank Holidays and additional Christmas office closure
• Flexible working environment and professional and personal development at your fingertips.
• 35 hour working week
• Excellent contributory pension (6% - 11.5% dependent on employee contribution)
• Life assurance, BUPA PMI and Health Cash Plan
• Enhanced maternity/paternity scheme

What next?

If the role looks of interest and you would like to apply, please do so via our portal. Every application will be provided with a written response!

We are reviewing applications as they come through and reserve the right to close this role early.

Recruitment Agencies

We have a preferred supplier list (PSL) in place.

Unsolicited CVs will be treated as a gift. We will not be subject to or liable under your terms and conditions for agency fees.

Full Job Description

Summary

To be responsible for architecting, designing, and specifying software solutions to the highest standards in conjunction with internal and external stakeholders.
Requires extensive knowledge of the Microsoft Azure cloud platform, the Microsoft development stack and related technologies surrounding the .Net framework, with focus on best practice and the latest cloud design patterns.Landscape:
The Architecture and Innovation Department report to the Director of Assessment Technology and are responsible for scoping and integration of solutions for the next generation of assessment delivery.
As a member of the Architecture Team within the Architecture and Innovation, you will report to the Lead Solution Architect to help shape and deliver the overall technical strategy for the whole of Assessment Technology.
Activities:
Contribute towards the policies, guidelines and standards that make up the Architectural strategy developing and maintaining them in line with business drivers and goals to establish robust and flexible controls.
Collaborate with colleagues within the architecture team to establish solution architecture, recommending appropriate technologies, defining solution workflows, and developing prototypes as necessary.
Plan, manage, and deliver the implementation of strategic and tactical changes in line with Architectural and Product roadmaps.
Actively research new (and emerging) technologies and trends. Be self-motivated in your learning, appreciating, and striving for the benefits our products could gain. Consider how to minimise the impact of introducing such technologies into the development process and how best to minimise the risks of doing so.
Seek approvals for significant architectural changes via the Lead Architect and presentations to the formal design committee.
Provide appropriate levels of documentation to support architectural designs.
Work with development teams to ensure successful implementation of the architecture. This includes providing technical support, helping to develop their skills when introducing new technologies to them.
Actively contribute towards a roadmap of prioritised technical changes including but not limited to items such as architecture, cost-savings, security, performance, quality, and technical debt.
Be an influencer of innovation and change across the AQA group.
Produce high-level feature estimates in conjunction with development teams.
Collaborate with Product Managers and Business Analysts to
review requirements and suggest solutions.
develop business process models and flows with the aim of identification of appropriate bounded-contexts and business rules.
Provide developer roadmaps that support training against upcoming architectures, design patterns and standards.
Run brown-bag sessions to champion solution architectures and best practice.
Successfully communicate all concepts and guidelines to development teams and provide support in the delivery of software using the new architecture.
Support the learning and development of other team members by mentoring and coaching.
Provide specialist application design and performance expertise to the software development group.
Have detailed knowledge of the latest design patterns and implement appropriately across solution designs.
Effectively manage risks in changes to production, carefully consider and take a balanced view on changes.
Provide product support when needed.
To be successful in this role, you will need to:
Demonstrate expert knowledge, and experience in the design of modern cloud applications and the methods used to analyze and documents such architectures.
Demonstrate a pro-active approach to communication.
Have a can-do attitude with the ability to manage your own time
Be inquisitive and eager to research and learn new and emerging technologies
Be a strong team player
Qualifications
Computing degree or equivalent level of business computing experience and/or Professional accreditation (BCS etc.)
Professional architecture qualification and proven equivalent architectural experience
Skills
Logical thinker, able to diagnose, troubleshoot and co-ordinate resolution of complex technical issues in a pressured environment.
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, able to engage with colleagues and customers at all levels, whether technical or otherwise coupled with ability to sell and communicate ideas clearly to colleagues at differing levels of seniority and technical expertise.
Ability to identify business objectives and form innovative potential solutions, supported by competent arguments.
Proven ability to produce and maintain effective documentation.
Persuades and influences both internal and external networks.
Resilient and able to work under pressure in a fast-moving change environment.
Solid commercial acumen
Provide architectural leadership, driving solution implementations through to successful delivery.
Expert in software architecture and defining cloud solutions.
Knowledge of Azure Cloud architecture, components, and services including security, high availability, disaster recovery and performance tuning
Knowledge of Azure cloud design patterns, application migration and modernization approaches
Extensive commercial software development knowledge in cloud and on-premise environments
Advanced knowledge of software design patterns
Advanced knowledge of OO design principles and techniques
Experience
A wide breadth of architectural experience with proven and successful delivery of modernising corporate architectures and applying appropriate governance.
Direct experience of working at a senior level with sponsors and users on new IT developments.
Has performed in a variety of roles throughout the System Delivery Life Cycle and at different levels of seniority.
Extensive experience gained in enterprise class computing and networking infrastructure environments including high availability and disaster recovery services.