At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative solution designs for critical missions and mentor a talented team.
- Company: Join Leonardo, a leader in tech solutions with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and access to 4,000+ online courses.
- Other info: Hybrid working options available with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on secure, future-ready solutions while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in solution architecture and a passion for learning.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
About the role
Are you ready to shape and lead solution designs that underpin the UK's most critical missions? At Leonardo, our Senior Solutions Architects are trusted experts who provide technical leadership across programmes, influence roadmaps, and ensure solutions are secure, resilient, and future‑ready. Your work at Leonardo UK will see you take the lead in solving customer problems in an agile, innovative and team‑centric manner. The role may involve a blended hybrid working model, with a mixture of working from home and working on site at one of our Leonardo offices to ensure close collaboration with the wider team and with our customers.
What you will do as a Senior Solutions Architect
- Act as the technical authority for solution design across large‑scale or multi‑project programmes.
- Define and evolve architectures that balance customer needs, enterprise principles, and secure‑by‑design standards.
- Contribute to divisional and line‑of‑business roadmaps, identifying opportunities for technology insertion and innovation.
- Lead technical reviews, trade‑off studies, and risk assessments for major design decisions.
- Mentor and coach Solutions Architects and Engineers, raising capability across the community.
- Represent Leonardo at senior customer forums, technical boards, and industry events.
- Support business winning, including solution strategy, bids, and proposal development.
- Champion best practice, reuse, and model‑based design approaches across the architecture community.
Core areas (must have)
- Proven experience in solution architecture across multiple domains (infrastructure, applications, data, networking, cloud).
- Strong knowledge of enterprise and solution architecture frameworks (e.g. TOGAF, MODAF, NAF).
- Advanced understanding of secure system design principles and cyber security standards.
- Experience shaping architectures within Agile or SAFe delivery environments.
- Ability to mentor, coach, and provide thought leadership within a technical community.
Desirable
- Industry certifications (TOGAF, AWS/Azure Architect, ArchiMate).
- Experience contributing to technology roadmaps and enterprise strategy.
- Familiarity with service design, operational transformation, and digital modernisation.
- Exposure to cloud‑native, DevSecOps, and automation approaches.
- Experience presenting at technical boards, customer forums, or industry conferences.
The most important skill is a good attitude and willingness to learn.
Location
This role can be based at one of our UK sites, typically Bristol, with hybrid/custom working options where appropriate. Customer is based in Reading.
Why join us
- Time to Recharge: Enjoy generous leave with the opportunity to accrue up to 12 additional flexi‑days each year.
- Secure your Future: Benefit from our award‑winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution.
- Your Wellbeing Matters: Free access to mental health support, financial advice, and employee‑led networks championing inclusion and diversity (Enable, Pride, Equalise, Armed Forces, Carers, Wellbeing and Ethnicity).
- Rewarding Performance: All employees at management level and below are eligible for our bonus scheme.
- Never Stop Learning: Free access to 4,000+ online courses via Coursera and LinkedIn Learning.
- Refer a friend: Receive a financial reward through our referral programme.
- Tailored Perks: Spend up to £500 annually on flexible benefits including private healthcare, dental, family cover, tech & lifestyle discounts, gym memberships and more.
- Flexible working: Flexible hours with hybrid working options. For part time opportunities, please talk to us about what might be possible for this role.
Senior Solution Architect in Bristol employer: Leonardo UK
At Leonardo, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration. Our Senior Solution Architects enjoy generous leave, a robust pension scheme, and access to extensive learning resources, all while working in a flexible hybrid model that promotes work-life balance. With a strong commitment to employee wellbeing and professional growth, Leonardo is the ideal place for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the UK's critical missions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Solution Architect in Bristol
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience in solution architecture and any relevant frameworks you know. Be ready to discuss how you've tackled challenges in past projects and how you can bring that expertise to their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to solution design. Think about how you would approach specific problems and be ready to share your thought process. This will show them you’re not just knowledgeable but also a great problem solver.
✨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, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining us at Leonardo and contributing to our mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Solution Architect in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in solution architecture. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t hold back on detailing your technical expertise! Mention specific frameworks like TOGAF or MODAF, and any relevant certifications you have. We want to see how you can bring value to our team.
Demonstrate Your Leadership Abilities:As a Senior Solutions Architect, you'll be mentoring others. Share examples of how you've led teams or projects in the past. This will help us see your potential to guide and inspire at Leonardo.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows your enthusiasm for joining us at Leonardo!
How to prepare for a job interview at Leonardo UK
✨Know Your Architecture Frameworks
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of enterprise and solution architecture frameworks like TOGAF and MODAF. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these frameworks in past projects, as this will show your technical authority and understanding of secure system design principles.
✨Showcase Your Agile Experience
Since the role involves working within Agile or SAFe delivery environments, prepare examples of how you've shaped architectures in these settings. Highlight your ability to adapt and innovate while maintaining a focus on customer needs and enterprise principles.
✨Prepare for Technical Reviews
Expect to lead technical reviews and trade-off studies during the interview. Think about major design decisions you've made in the past and be ready to discuss the risks and benefits associated with them. This will demonstrate your critical thinking and decision-making skills.
✨Emphasise Mentorship and Leadership
As a Senior Solutions Architect, mentoring others is key. Prepare to talk about your experience coaching Solutions Architects and Engineers. Share specific examples of how you've raised capability within your team and contributed to a collaborative environment.
