At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design of innovative AI solutions and collaborate with diverse teams.
- Company: Lloyds Banking Group, a forward-thinking financial institution.
- Benefits: Generous pension, performance bonuses, flexible benefits, and 30 days holiday.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with a focus on diversity and career growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of AI technology and make a real impact.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in software or solution architecture with strong technical skills.
The predicted salary is between 90400 - 120000 £ per year.
SALARY: £90,400 - £120,000
LOCATION: Bristol
HOURS: Full-time
WORKING PATTERN: Our work style is hybrid, which involves spending at least two days per week, or 40% of our time, at one of our office sites.
About this opportunity:
Here at Lloyds Banking Group, we put our customers at the heart of everything we do, and every colleague has an important part to play. We're the Customer Experience & Analytics Lab, an integral part of the amazing Analytics & AI Platform. As a member of the Conversational Experience & Analytics Lab, you'll play a vital role in our efforts to build a forward-thinking Chatbot as a Service platform. You'll collaborate on innovative solutions that incorporate Large Language Models and Agentic AI within a well-established cloud-based ecosystem. You’ll be involved in coaching, continually challenging, motivating, mentoring, and supporting colleagues in the Lab. Specialising in design and architecture, this role will be instrumental in delivering the Group's agenda for change in a coherent, innovative, and collaborative manner.
We're a diverse group of people. Software Engineers, Robotics Specialists, Cognitive Developers, Data Scientists, Conversation Designers, Natural Language Engineers and many more. We come from a variety of backgrounds across the globe, but we all share in the vision of the untapped potential of human and machine intelligence. We're seeking an ambitious and proven Senior Solution Architect to join our dynamic team. This role offers the chance to influence the way we design and build using the latest cloud technology.
What you'll do:
- Solution Design and System Integration: Lead the design and development of robust software solutions using modern engineering techniques across GCP and Microsoft Azure stacks, aligned with Enterprise Architecture and Business Design strategy.
- Thought Leadership: A trusted advisor to a network of colleagues and professionals within and outside the Organisation. Uses experience to provide valuable insights, strategic thoughts and encourage problem-solving.
- Manage a complex set of constraints and opportunities: Creating and maintaining a blueprint for organising and communicating the Lab technology change agenda.
- Promote Adoption of Modern Software Engineering Practices: Including DevOps, CI/CD, Cloud computing.
- Collaboration: Work closely with cross-functional teams to shape high-quality and innovative products, ensuring alignment with business goals. Acting as an advocate for technology design and robust solution governance across the Lab.
- Delivering Design Outputs: Such as Minimum Viable Designs and architecture decisions via formal governance processes.
- Agile Methodologies: Champion agile development practices, including continuous integration and test automation.
About you:
We're looking for an experienced individual who can thrive in a fast-paced environment and is eager to learn new skills and technologies. The ideal candidate will possess:
- Professional Experience: 5+ years in either Software Engineering design, or Solution Design/Architecture. Experience in shaping and executing design change across complex operational and technology environments.
- Technical Expertise: Extensive understanding of software development principles with experience of designing highly observable and scalable solutions. Proficient in Node.js, React, Next.js and experience of Python. Knowledge of API development, automation, and Infrastructure as Code (IaC) tools (e.g. Terraform). Experience of Cyber Security and techniques to ensure resilient applications.
- Source Code Management: Deep understanding of Git and managing change within a source code management system.
- Integration Tools and Cloud Infrastructure: Significant experience with integration tools and cloud infrastructure (ideally GCP). Hands-on experience with cloud-native architecture and containerisation technologies (e.g. Kubernetes, Docker) — knowledge & experience of Helm is an additional advantage. An understanding of networking—preferably including a mixture of public cloud and on-premise infrastructure.
- Agile Development: Strong knowledge of agile development practices, continuous integration and test automation. Experience of timely delivery by managing tasks and priorities effectively.
About working for us:
Like the modern Britain we serve, we're evolving. Investing billions in our people, data and tech to transform the way we meet the ever-changing needs of our 26 million customers. We're growing with purpose. Join us on our journey and you will too.
Our focus is to ensure we're inclusive every day, building an organisation that reflects modern society and celebrates diversity in all its forms. We want our people to feel that they belong and can be their best, regardless of background, identity or culture. We were one of the first major organisations to set goals on diversity in senior roles, create a menopause health package, and a dedicated Working with Cancer initiative. And it's why we especially welcome applications from under-represented groups. We're disability confident. So if you'd like reasonable adjustments to be made to our recruitment processes, just let us know.
We also offer a wide-ranging benefits package, which includes:
- A generous pension contribution of up to 15%
- An annual performance-related bonus
- Share schemes including free shares
- Benefits you can adapt to your lifestyle, such as discounted shopping, cycle to work
- 30 days' holiday, with bank holidays on top
- A range of wellbeing initiatives and generous parental leave policies
Ready to start growing with purpose? Apply today.
Senior Solution Architect (AI) in Bristol employer: LLOYDS BANKING GROUP
At Lloyds Banking Group, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic and inclusive work environment in Bristol. Our hybrid working model promotes flexibility, while our commitment to employee growth is evident through extensive training opportunities and a diverse team that fosters collaboration and innovation. With a comprehensive benefits package, including generous pension contributions and wellbeing initiatives, we ensure our colleagues feel valued and empowered to thrive in their careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Solution Architect (AI) in Bristol
✨Join the IT Consultancy Buzz
Get involved in local or virtual IT consultancy meetups and forums. This is where we can rub shoulders with industry professionals, get insights into what LLOYDS BANKING GROUP values, and even spot unadvertised opportunities. Don't miss out on these chances to make a name for ourselves in the IT world!
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Solution Architect (AI) in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In IT consulting, it's all about problem-solving, so make sure your CV highlights your analytical skills and any relevant projects you've tackled. Mention specific technologies or methodologies you've used to resolve issues or improve processes; this shows you can think critically and deliver results, which is vital for us at LLOYDS BANKING GROUP.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Certifications like ITIL, PMP, or even specific tech stack qualifications can really make you stand out. Make sure to include these in your CV, as they not only demonstrate your expertise but also your commitment to staying current in the field. We love seeing candidates who are proactive about their professional development!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to connect personally with us at LLOYDS BANKING GROUP. Share stories about your experiences in IT consulting, and how they shaped your desire to join our team. Mention why you’re excited about this particular role, and how you see yourself contributing to our projects.
Keep It Clear and Concise:We're all busy, so make sure your application is easy to read. Use bullet points for key achievements, and don’t overload us with jargon. A clean, professional layout goes a long way. Remember, the clearer your application, the more likely we are to invite you in for an interview!
How to prepare for a job interview at LLOYDS BANKING GROUP
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Skills
For an IT consulting role, be ready to demonstrate your technical prowess. You might face questions on systems integration, cloud technologies, or even troubleshooting specific software. If you have experience with tools like AWS, Azure, or even specific programming languages, make sure you can talk about them fluently.
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IT consulting is all about solving problems for clients. Think about how you can illustrate your approach to a past challenge using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). It's a great way to show how you tackle complex issues and come up with effective solutions.
✨Know the Business Impact of IT Solutions
When discussing your experiences, focus not just on the tech solutions you implemented, but also on their business impact. Employers want to see that you can connect IT with organisational goals. Prep examples that highlight how your tech contributions improved efficiency or reduced costs for past clients or projects.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Since IT consulting often involves teamwork and client interactions, expect behavioural questions that assess your interpersonal skills. Be prepared with examples that demonstrate your adaptability, communication skills, and how you handle client feedback. Before the interview, think of situations where you worked closely with clients to create effective IT strategies or changes.
