Enterprise IT Architect in Preston

Location: Preston, Lancashire or Frimley, Surrey. We offer a range of hybrid and flexible working arrangements - please speak to your recruiter about the options for this particular role.

Salary: Circa £82,500 depending on experience + executive benefits.

Who we are: Join BAE Systems and you’ll be part of something bigger. As a valued member of our global colleague network, you’ll bring your unique skills and perspectives to help pioneer progress and protect what matters most. You’ll be trusted to play your part in delivering the advanced, technology‑led defence, aerospace and security solutions of tomorrow, shaping a safer future for all of us.

What you’ll be doing:

• You will be designing, assuring and maintaining enterprise IT architecture to ensure systems are integrated, scalable and aligned with business objectives.
• You will lead technical solution design in line with architectural standards and compliance requirements, provide guidance to project and product teams on implementation and best practice, and develop and maintain technology roadmaps for applications.
• You will work closely with business and IT teams, suppliers and vendors to resolve dependencies and uphold consistent technical standards, evaluate and recommend fit‑for‑purpose enterprise technology solutions, and oversee their implementation.
• You will also provide architectural oversight and governance, maintaining documentation to help reduce technical debt, and support project delivery through reviews of estimates and risks to ensure technical solutions are delivered on time and within budget.

Proven experience:

• Designing and delivering enterprise‑scale solution and technical architectures across application, data and technology domains.
• Extensive experience delivering complex systems integration across multiple platforms, vendors and service providers.
• Hands‑on experience of architecture governance, technical design assurance, and compliance processes across large programmes.
• Practical experience working with modern enterprise SaaS, cloud and platform‑based application ecosystems.
• Ability to lead and work collaboratively within and across integrated teams in order to influence change and achieve desired outcomes.
• Knowledge of HR function platforms, services & products is desirable.

The Enterprise IT Architecture Team: The Enterprise IT Architecture team is experiencing significant growth and works across a wide‑ranging portfolio of initiatives, supporting several hundred applications and a substantial programme of technology change. The team is central to the organisation’s modernisation strategy, leading the design and implementation of new architectures, overseeing major supplier refreshes, and driving evolution of enterprise platforms. Working within a complex international environment, the team plays a key role in shaping how technology enables the business. This role leads the architecture for HR platforms and services, alongside exposure to wider enterprise systems, offering the opportunity to influence critical technology decisions, deliver meaningful transformation, and support a global organisation.

Why BAE Systems? Here you’ll build a career with purpose and limitless possibilities. With lifelong learning and meaningful work, this is a place where you can grow your career with confidence and be empowered to be your best. You’ll be recognised for your contribution and enjoy rewards tailored to what’s most important to you and your family, support for your financial and personal wellbeing, as well as a balanced lifestyle. In an environment embracing sustainable ways of working and with a strong sense of shared purpose, our supportive culture is a place you can feel you belong and proud of the difference you make.

A place where everyone can thrive: We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We know that a diversity of backgrounds, perspectives and experiences strengthens our teams and is vital to the work we do.

Please be aware that many roles at BAE Systems are subject to both security and export control restrictions. These restrictions mean that factors such as your nationality, any nationalities you may have previously held, and your place of birth can restrict the roles you are eligible to perform within the organisation. All applicants must as a minimum achieve Baseline Personnel Security Standard. Many roles also require higher levels of National Security Vetting where applicants must typically have 5 to 10 years of continuous residency in the UK depending on the vetting level required for the role, to allow for meaningful security vetting checks.

Closing Date: 2nd April 2026. We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.