At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design of innovative cloud-native solutions for a high-growth SaaS platform.
- Company: Dynamic enterprise SaaS company in Manchester with a focus on modern engineering.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, up to 30% bonus, car allowance, and hybrid working.
- Why this job: Shape the future of technology with real influence and hands-on architecture.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Principal Solution Architect with a strong software engineering background.
- Other info: Join a respected team that values architecture and invests in technology.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 120000 £ per year.
Location: Manchester (Central) – Hybrid
Package: Up to £100,000 base + up to 30% bonus + car allowance
The Opportunity
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.
- 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
This role is suited to someone who:
- 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 - djr in Manchester employer: Jobster
Contact Detail:
Jobster Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Solution Architect - djr in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and engage on platforms like LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that Principal Solution Architect role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Create a portfolio or blog where you share insights on cloud-native architecture and SaaS solutions. This not only demonstrates your knowledge but also positions you as a thought leader in the field, making you more attractive to potential employers.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company’s tech stack and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs. We recommend practising common architectural scenarios and being ready to explain your decision-making process clearly.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Solution Architect - djr in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Principal Solution Architect. Highlight your experience with cloud-native architecture and enterprise SaaS solutions, as these are key for us. Use specific examples that showcase your skills in designing scalable and resilient systems.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Tell us why you're passionate about architecture and how you can influence our platform's strategy. Be sure to mention your hands-on experience and how you’ve guided engineering teams through architectural trade-offs.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: We want to see your technical prowess! Include relevant projects or experiences that demonstrate your knowledge of modern cloud platforms like AWS or Azure, and your familiarity with microservices and event-driven systems. This will help us understand your fit for the role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures it gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Jobster
✨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 engineering teams through complex trade-offs and how you’ve managed architectural risks effectively.
✨Understand the Business Needs
Be prepared to translate product and business needs into technical designs. Familiarise yourself with the company’s current technology stack and be ready to suggest improvements or innovations that could enhance their SaaS offerings.
✨Engage with the Team Dynamics
Highlight your experience working closely with cross-functional teams, especially in a product-led environment. Show that you value collaboration and can communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.