Lead Solution Architect in Gildersome

We are looking for an experienced Lead Solution Architect to shape the technical architecture underpinning our applications, integrations, data platforms and cloud services. You will translate complex business requirements into secure, scalable and maintainable solutions while ensuring technology decisions align with our wider business and IT strategy. Working across Engineering, Delivery, Product, Cyber Security, Infrastructure and Data, you will provide the technical direction needed to create a more consistent, connected and resilient technology landscape. This is a technical design and architectural governance role. The Lead Solution Architect will influence how solutions are delivered but will not be responsible for project delivery, software development or operational support.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Lead the design of enterprise solutions across applications, integrations, cloud platforms and data services
• Translate business requirements into clear solution architectures and technical designs
• Assess solution options and recommend approaches that balance cost, complexity, scalability and long-term value
• Ensure solutions meet functional, security, resilience, performance and operational requirements
• Maintain architectural integrity from initial concept through to implementation
• Provide technical leadership and guidance to engineers and technical specialists
• Lead architecture reviews through the Technology Design Authority
• Assess architectural risks and approve designs within delegated authority
• Maintain architectural documentation, reusable patterns and technology standards
• Support current-state and future-state architecture planning
• Identify opportunities to simplify the technology estate, reduce duplication and address technical debt
• Define API, messaging and event-driven integration patterns
• Support the architecture of data platforms and promote trusted, consistent and governed data
• Design secure, resilient and scalable cloud-native and hybrid solutions
• Promote automation and Infrastructure as Code principles where appropriate
• Embed security, disaster recovery and operational supportability into solution designs
• Evaluate emerging technologies and support technology selection and procurement
• Present architecture proposals clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Work effectively with technology vendors, implementation partners and cloud providers
• Mentor technical colleagues and help build a culture of engineering excellence

What We’re Looking For

• Significant experience working as a Solution Architect within a complex enterprise environment
• Strong experience designing distributed and integrated technology solutions
• A strong understanding of application, integration and data architecture
• Experience designing solutions using Microsoft Azure or a comparable cloud platform
• Strong knowledge of API design, messaging and integration architecture
• Experience producing clear architecture documentation and solution designs
• A strong understanding of security-by-design, resilience, scalability and disaster recovery
• Experience working within Agile delivery environments
• Experience facilitating architecture reviews and technical governance
• The ability to influence senior stakeholders and communicate complex technical subjects clearly
• A pragmatic and commercially aware approach to technical decision-making

Desirable Experience

• Experience supporting an established Enterprise Architecture practice
• Knowledge of Azure Integration Services
• Experience with modern data platforms and analytics solutions
• TOGAF or an equivalent architecture certification
• Microsoft Azure architecture certifications
• Experience working within a highly regulated environment
• Experience using UML, ArchiMate or other architecture-modelling approaches

Your Approach

You will be a strategic and naturally curious technical leader who can see the bigger picture without losing sight of practical delivery. You will be comfortable constructively challenging decisions, working through complexity and building trusted relationships across technical and business teams. Collaborative, structured and commercially aware, you will care about engineering quality and make decisions based on long-term organisational value rather than short-term convenience.

What Success Looks Like

Success as Lead Solution Architect will mean:

• Technology solutions are secure, scalable, maintainable and aligned with business strategy
• Architecture decisions reduce technical debt and unnecessary complexity
• Teams increasingly reuse agreed standards, technologies and architecture patterns
• Integration and interoperability improve across enterprise platforms
• Technical risks are identified and addressed earlier
• Technology delivery becomes faster, more consistent and more predictable
• Engineering teams have clear technical direction and stronger architectural capability
• The organisation develops a simpler, more modern and resilient technology landscape

We are Panda. We value waste. We’re in the business of waste management but that doesn’t just mean collecting bins. Behind every collection is a passionate team of people finding smarter, safer, and more sustainable ways to recycle and repurpose materials that would otherwise go to waste. Over the past 30 years, Panda has grown into a leading resource recovery business, bringing together almost 3,000 people across multiple brands, united by a shared vision and strong values. While our operations are diverse, our purpose is clear: to protect our people, support our customers, and create positive impact for the communities and environments we serve.

At Panda, people are at the heart of everything we do. We work as one team, combining different skills, experiences, and perspectives to achieve shared goals. We care for each other’s wellbeing, encourage development, and support growth because we know we’re stronger together. We expect excellence in how we operate. High standards, bold thinking, and continuous improvement drive our passion for innovation. We challenge the ordinary, put safety first, and embrace new ideas while delivering practical, cost-effective solutions that move our business forward. We own what we do. From day-to-day tasks to major projects, we take pride in our work and responsibility for the outcome. We don’t walk past problems we address them together. Our expertise, reliability, and care reflect who we are and the difference we make. And above all, we act with trust and integrity. Trust is built through open communication, honesty, and accountability. It allows us to move quickly, make confident decisions, and deliver results — knowing our people are empowered to do the right thing. Our journey depends on talented, committed people who want to make an impact. Take the first step and join us on the journey. Panda is committed to attracting and retaining a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we operate and the people we serve.