At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design of a cloud-based service-oriented architecture and guide teams towards a unified ecosystem.
- Company: A nationally significant scientific and engineering organisation with a focus on digital modernisation.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, opportunity to shape advanced systems, and influence future technical evolution.
- Other info: Join a forward-thinking culture with long-term strategic importance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a cutting-edge environment and drive architectural innovation.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in SOA or microservices, distributed system design, and stakeholder engagement.
£680 - £700 Per Day, Inside IR35, 12 Month Contract, To Start ASAP. Based near Oxford (3-4 DAYS ONSITE INITIALLY).
Your new company: We are a nationally significant scientific and engineering organisation operating within one of the most complex technical environments in the UK. As part of our long-term digital modernisation, we are moving away from legacy monolithic applications and establishing a cloud-based, service-oriented ecosystem. This shift is essential to supporting the future of our experimental workflows, data services and operational capabilities. As the transition progresses, a major challenge has emerged; while the services now exist in the cloud, they have not yet been shaped into a coherent, well-designed service architecture. Interoperability, service boundaries, communication patterns and data flow design all require firm direction.
Your new role: This is a role for an architect who is passionate about Service-Oriented Architecture and has the experience to turn a fragmented system landscape into a unified distributed ecosystem. You will begin by gaining a deep understanding of the current architecture, identifying how services have been implemented, how they interact and where legacy monolithic behaviours are still influencing design. You will explore architectural gaps, risks and technical debt, forming a clear view of the changes needed to achieve a consistent, interoperable service environment. Your focus will be on shaping and maturing the organisation's SOA. You will define how services communicate, how data moves across the environment and how service boundaries should be drawn. You will determine whether a message bus or event driven architecture is appropriate, and you will examine the complex mix of real-time, configuration and scientific data to establish reliable and predictable data flow patterns. Throughout the assignment, you will develop the next level of architectural detail, diagrams, logical models, communication patterns, service contracts, API standards and integration principles. You will work closely with engineers, product teams and scientific stakeholders to ensure every service is aligned to SOA best practice and built on a foundation of scalability, clarity and long-term sustainability. Your ability to challenge assumptions, lead architectural conversations and provide clear direction will be central to moving the organisation confidently into a service-oriented future.
What you'll need to succeed: You are an experienced Architect with a track record of designing and governing service-oriented or microservice-based systems. You understand distributed system design, messaging, data interoperability and the practical realities of breaking down monolithic patterns. You are comfortable evaluating communication protocols, establishing service contracts, defining service boundaries and designing integration approaches that balance performance, resilience and maintainability. You are equally confident guiding development teams, influencing stakeholders and navigating environments where the architectural direction is not yet fully defined.
What you'll get in return: Alongside a competitive daily rate, you will have the opportunity to shape the architectural foundation of one of the UK's most advanced scientific and engineering environments. Your work will influence how services communicate, how data flows, how systems grow and how the organisation evolves technically for years to come. You will be part of a forward thinking, engineering-focused culture where your architectural leadership will have both immediate impact and long term strategic importance.
What you need to do now: If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.
Lead Integration Architect (SOA / Cloud) employer: Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited
Join a nationally significant scientific and engineering organisation based near Oxford, where you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our digital landscape. With a focus on innovation and collaboration, we offer a dynamic work culture that encourages professional growth and the opportunity to influence cutting-edge architectural practices. As part of our team, you'll enjoy competitive compensation and the chance to make a lasting impact in one of the UK's most advanced technical environments.
Contact Detail:
Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead Integration Architect (SOA / Cloud)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and engage in online forums. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your expertise! Create a portfolio or case studies showcasing your previous work with SOA and cloud architectures. This will help potential employers see your skills in action and how you can add value to their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on common architectural challenges and solutions. Be ready to discuss how you've tackled similar issues in the past, and don't shy away from sharing your vision for a service-oriented future.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Lead Integration Architect (SOA / Cloud)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your experience with Service-Oriented Architecture and cloud-based systems. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t be shy about showcasing relevant projects!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about SOA and how your past experiences have prepared you for this role. We love seeing enthusiasm and a clear understanding of the challenges ahead.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, give examples of how you've tackled complex architectural challenges in the past. We’re looking for someone who can navigate tricky situations and provide clear direction, so let us know how you’ve done that before!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited
✨Know Your SOA Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your Service-Oriented Architecture knowledge. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've designed and governed SOA or microservice-based systems in the past. This will show that you not only understand the theory but can also apply it practically.
✨Understand Their Current Architecture
Before the interview, research the company’s existing architecture if possible. Familiarise yourself with common challenges in transitioning from monolithic to cloud-based systems. This will help you ask insightful questions and demonstrate your proactive approach to understanding their needs.
✨Prepare for Technical Discussions
Expect to dive deep into technical discussions about data flow, service boundaries, and communication patterns. Prepare to explain your thought process on choosing between a message bus or event-driven architecture, and be ready to discuss how you would tackle architectural gaps and risks.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role requires guiding teams and influencing stakeholders. Think of examples where you've led architectural conversations or challenged assumptions effectively. Highlight your ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, as this will be crucial in shaping their future service-oriented environment.
