At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design of innovative cloud-native solutions for a high-growth SaaS platform.
- Company: Dynamic enterprise SaaS business with a focus on modern technology and architecture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, up to 30% bonus, car allowance, and hybrid working.
- Other info: Enjoy autonomy and work with high-calibre engineering teams in a respected environment.
- Why this job: Shape the future of technology while influencing a large-scale SaaS platform.
- Qualifications: Experience in cloud architecture and enterprise SaaS solutions is essential.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 84000 £ per year.
This is a senior architecture role within a high-growth, enterprise-scale SaaS business building mission-critical platforms used at serious scale. The organisation is actively modernising a complex technology estate into a cloud-native, shared SaaS platform, designed for reuse, speed, and long-term resilience. Architecture is not an afterthought here; it is a first-class discipline with real influence over how systems are designed, built, and evolved.
This role is for a Principal-level Solution Architect who wants to shape platforms, guide engineering teams, and design solutions that will still make sense in five years’ time.
What You’ll Own
- You will operate as a technical authority, working closely with senior engineering, product, and technology leaders.
- Your focus is end-to-end solution architecture, not diagram production.
Key responsibilities:
- Owning solution architecture across complex enterprise SaaS platforms
- Designing cloud-native, scalable, resilient systems
- Translating product and business needs into clear, executable technical designs
- Defining architectural patterns, standards, and guardrails
- Guiding engineering teams through architectural trade-offs
- Ensuring solutions meet expectations around performance, availability, security, and scalability
- Managing architectural risk and technical debt proactively
- Influencing long-term platform strategy and technology direction
This is hands-on architecture, not governance theatre.
The Environment You’ll Be Working In:
- A true product-led SaaS environment
- Modern cloud platforms (AWS/Azure)
- Event-driven and distributed systems
- High-calibre engineering teams who value good architecture
- A business that invests properly in technology and engineering standards
- Architecture here is respected, listened to, and acted on.
The Profile This Role Is Built For:
- Operates comfortably at Principal / Lead Solution Architect level
- Has a strong software engineering background
- Has designed and delivered enterprise SaaS solutions
- Is fluent in modern cloud and distributed system design
- Can influence without ego and challenge constructively
- Cares deeply about long-term platform quality
You should be comfortable:
- Working across product, engineering, and senior stakeholders
- Getting close to engineering teams
- Making and standing by architectural decisions
Technical Background (Indicative):
- Experience in areas such as:
- Cloud-native architecture (AWS / Azure)
- Microservices and event-driven systems
- REST APIs and integration patterns
- Distributed systems
- SQL and NoSQL data stores
- Containerisation (Docker / Kubernetes)
- Infrastructure as Code and modern DevOps practices
You don’t need to tick every box; depth and judgement matter more than buzzwords.
Working Model & Package:
- Hybrid working – Manchester (central)
- Up to £100,000 base salary
- Up to 30% bonus
- Additional car allowance
- Senior-level autonomy and trust
- Real influence over a large-scale SaaS platform
Principal Solution Architect in Manchester employer: djr
As a Principal Solution Architect at our high-growth enterprise SaaS company in central Manchester, you will thrive in a dynamic and innovative environment that prioritises architecture as a core discipline. We offer competitive compensation, including a generous bonus structure and car allowance, alongside a hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance. Our culture fosters collaboration and respect for engineering excellence, providing ample opportunities for professional growth and the chance to make a significant impact on the future of our cloud-native platforms.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Solution Architect in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and engage with professionals on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that Principal Solution Architect role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by brushing up on your technical skills and architectural principles. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to get comfortable discussing your experience with cloud-native architectures and distributed systems.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio or case studies of your previous projects that highlight your experience in designing scalable SaaS solutions. We want to see how you’ve influenced architecture decisions and tackled complex challenges.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Solution Architect in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Principal Solution Architect role. Highlight your experience with cloud-native architecture and enterprise SaaS solutions, as this will show us you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t just list your skills; demonstrate how you've applied them in real-world scenarios. We want to see your hands-on experience with modern cloud platforms like AWS or Azure, and how you've tackled architectural challenges in the past.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language to explain your thought process and decision-making in architecture. We appreciate a well-structured application that gets straight to the point!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you're keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at djr
✨Know Your Architecture Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the principles of cloud-native architecture and distributed systems. Be ready to discuss your past experiences designing scalable solutions and how they align with the company's mission-critical platforms.
✨Showcase Your Technical Authority
Prepare to demonstrate your ability to influence architectural decisions without ego. Think of examples where you've guided teams through complex trade-offs and how you’ve managed architectural risks in previous roles.
✨Connect with the Engineering Mindset
Understand the engineering culture of the company. Be prepared to discuss how you can work closely with engineering teams, ensuring that your architectural designs are executable and meet performance and security expectations.
✨Think Long-Term and Strategic
Articulate your vision for long-term platform quality and resilience. Discuss how you would influence the technology direction and architectural standards, ensuring that solutions remain relevant and effective over time.
