At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape the future of cloud-based service architecture and lead innovative projects.
- Company: Join a leading scientific and engineering organisation in the UK.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, impactful work, and a chance to influence future tech.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in a cutting-edge environment with long-term strategic importance.
- Qualifications: Experience in service-oriented architecture and distributed systems design.
£750 Per Day, Inside IR35, 12 Month Contract, To Start ASAP. Based near Reading (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.
Integration Architect (SOA / Cloud) - URGENT in Reading employer: Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited
Join a nationally significant scientific and engineering organisation based near Reading, where you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our digital landscape. With a focus on Service-Oriented Architecture, you'll enjoy a collaborative work culture that values innovation and technical excellence, alongside competitive compensation and the chance to influence long-term architectural strategies. This is an exceptional opportunity for professional growth in a forward-thinking environment dedicated to advancing complex technical solutions.
Contact Detail:
Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Integration Architect (SOA / Cloud) - URGENT in Reading
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research their projects, values, and culture. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to SOA and cloud architecture. Be ready to discuss your past experiences and how they relate to the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining us in shaping the future of service-oriented architecture.
We think you need these skills to ace Integration Architect (SOA / Cloud) - URGENT in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Integration Architect role. Highlight your experience with SOA and cloud-based systems, and don’t forget to showcase any relevant projects that demonstrate your skills in designing service-oriented architectures.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about this role and how your background aligns with the job description. Be specific about your experience with distributed systems and how you can contribute to shaping the organisation's architectural future.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, highlight instances where you've tackled complex architectural challenges. Discuss how you’ve identified gaps in existing systems and implemented solutions that improved interoperability and data flow. This will show us you’re ready to take on the challenges of this role.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application 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, take some time to think about how you would approach understanding their existing architecture. Prepare to discuss how you would identify architectural gaps and risks, and what steps you would take to address them. This shows initiative and a proactive mindset.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect to be asked about distributed system design, messaging, and data interoperability. Brush up on communication protocols and service contracts, and be ready to explain how you would balance performance, resilience, and maintainability in your designs.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
This role requires guiding development teams and influencing stakeholders. Think of examples where you've successfully led architectural conversations or challenged assumptions. Highlight your ability to provide clear direction and foster collaboration among teams.
