At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative solution designs for critical missions and solve customer problems in a dynamic team.
- Company: Join Leonardo, a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and access to 4,000+ online courses.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while shaping the future of technology and security.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in solution architecture and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
hackajob is collaborating with Leonardo to connect them with exceptional professionals for this role.
Salary Range: £59,400 - £80,000
Leonardo UK operates a grade-based salary framework with broad bands. The salary range shown reflects the approved grade band for this role, or a narrower hiring range published within that band, and is benchmarked against the external market. Exceptions above the standard range are managed through governance controls to protect internal equity.
Your impact
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 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.
What you’ll bring
- Extensive technical expertise with a proven track record of designing secure, integrated solutions.
- Ability to influence technical strategy and act as a recognised authority within your domain.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to engage effectively with senior stakeholders.
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).
- Familiarity with service design, operational transformation, and digital modernisation.
- 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.
- Experience with service design and delivery within Critical National Infrastructure (CNI).
- Exposure to cloud-native, DevSecOps, and automation approaches.
- Experience presenting at technical boards, customer forums, or industry conferences.
This is not an exhaustive list, and we are keen to hear from you even if you might not have experience in all the above. The most important skill is a good attitude and willingness to learn.
Security Clearance
This role is subject to pre-employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personnel Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NSV) may apply, this could include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV).
Location
This role can be based at one of our UK sites such as Bristol, with hybrid/custom working options where appropriate.
Why join us
At Leonardo, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We offer a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package that supports your wellbeing, career development, and work–life balance. Whether you’re looking to grow professionally, care for your health, or plan for the future, we’re here to help you thrive.
- 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.
- 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.
For a full list of our company benefits please visit our website.
Leonardo is a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security. Headquartered in Italy, we employ over 53,000 people worldwide including 8,500 across 9 sites in the UK. Our employees are not just part of a team—they are key contributors to shaping innovation, advancing technology, and enhancing global safety.
At Leonardo we are committed to building an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace. We believe that a diverse workforce sparks creativity, drives innovation, and leads to better outcomes for our people and our customers. If you have any accessibility requirements to support you during the recruitment process, just let us know.
Be part of something bigger - apply now!
Primary Location: GB - Bristol - Coldharbour Lane
Additional Locations: GB - Rollestone
Contract Type: Permanent
Hybrid Working: Hybrid
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Solution Architect in Salisbury
✨Join Aerospace Forums and Groups
Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye on upcoming aerospace conferences and events where you can network with professionals and showcase your interest. Events like the Farnborough International Airshow are not just about flying machines; they're a goldmine for connections and potential job leads.
✨Spotlight Your Projects
Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience or projects on your portfolio that showcase your skills in aerospace engineering. Employers love seeing practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Show us what you've got!
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with Leonardo for a Solution Architect. This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace Solution Architect in Salisbury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Leonardo, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!
Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.
Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At Leonardo, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.
Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.
How to prepare for a job interview at Leonardo
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge
Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with Leonardo.
✨Showcase Your Projects with Confidence
Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Technical Interviews
Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with Leonardo. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.
✨Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills
As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like Leonardo love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
