Solution Architect | S4 | Architecture | Milton Keynes

Solution Architect | S4 | Architecture | Milton Keynes

Milton Keynes Full-Time 48000 - 72000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Santander UK

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Create innovative solution architectures and collaborate with engineering teams on exciting projects.
  • Company: Join Santander UK, a leader in the financial sector with a focus on innovation.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous holiday, pension contributions, and flexible working options.
  • Other info: Be part of a diverse team with excellent career growth opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while shaping the future of banking technology.
  • Qualifications: Experience in IT Systems Design and knowledge of GenAI tools is essential.

The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.

Overview

Solution Architect | S4 | Architecture | Milton Keynes — Santander UK

Join to apply for this role. The Solutions Architect delivers end-to-end solution architectures for multiple projects within functional domains and collaborates with Engineering teams to ensure designs align with Santander UK strategies.

Responsibilities
  • Produce end-to-end solution architectures for multiple projects or review designs produced by Engineering teams, guided by architecture patterns and company strategy.
  • Validate that solutions align with Santander UK strategies (e.g., Retail & Corporate Bank) and work with the engineering community to deliver agile solutions.
  • Collaborate with Enterprise and Solution Architects to understand roadmaps, strategies, and cross-domain solutions; lead and support the SA community and interlock with CIO leads to drive business outcomes.
  • Embed into the functional domain to balance business requirements with functional and technical strategy to deliver sustainable solutions.
What you’ll bring
  • Working knowledge and understanding of GenAI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Azure, AWS).
  • Experience in IT Systems Design and Solutions Architecture with strong Financial Institution domain knowledge, particularly around Customer Interactions, in the following areas:
    • Operational Customer Communications: ecosystem relations to operations customer interactions – SMS/PUSH/Print/Email; tools such as Adobe, Quadient, Salesforce.
    • Awareness of Customer Alerts (registered customer alerts and regulatory) and knowledge of Adobe.
    • Public Websites: Adobe tech stack for UK public sites – DAM/AEM/AEP.
    • Marketing: Customer marketing campaigns; knowledge of DP/Doc Management, Pega, and Martech.
  • Excellent domain-driven design with knowledge of the BIAN framework, TOGAF, ArchiMate and API/microservice architectures; familiarity with tools such as Avolution Abacus.
  • Proven experience defining and documenting complex As-Is and Target Architectures; ability to define services and integrated applications with stakeholders to deliver strategic objectives.
  • Experience maintaining strategic roadmaps and aligning with multiple stakeholders across technologies and business areas, locally and globally.
  • Experience with AWS and cloud/SaaS architectures.
  • A proactive, collaborative leader who can drive change with practical architectures and governance compliance.
  • Strong communication and stakeholder influence skills across senior teams.
  • Ability to plan and organize across multiple projects and domains; capable of managing time and resources effectively.
  • Flexible, with initiative, ability to learn quickly, and ability to work calmly under pressure.
  • Team-oriented experience—able to mentor and allocate work to junior Solution Architects and contribute to collective targets.
Location and working pattern

This role is based in Milton Keynes. Santander UK supports a hybrid working pattern with an expected attendance of at least 12 days per month in the office (pro-rata for part-time roles). Consider travel distance, time, and cost from home to the office during application.

Application process

If your application is successful, a member of our recruitment team will be in touch to learn more about you and answer questions about working in the Santander tech team. If both sides agree, we will forward your CV to the hiring manager. Interview stages may include:

  • 1st Stage – 30-minute technical interview with the team.
  • 2nd Stage – A 60-minute formal interview (technical and competency-based), conducted virtually or in person.

If you need any recruitment process assistance, please let us know. You can contact resourcing@santander.co.uk.

Inclusion and benefits

We’re committed to a thriving, diverse workplace where everyone belongs. We value Simple, Personal, and Fair in our approach, and offer a comprehensive benefits package you can tailor to your needs, including:

  • Discretionary performance-related annual bonus
  • 8% pension contribution from the company (up to 12.5% with employee contributions)
  • 30 days’ holiday plus bank holidays (31 days after 5 years) with the option to purchase up to 5 extra days
  • Car allowance and private medical insurance options
  • Voluntary healthcare benefits and life/income protection cover
  • Share plans and access to Santander product discounts for employees

Learn more about our benefits and family-friendly policies.

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Solution Architect | S4 | Architecture | Milton Keynes employer: Santander UK

Santander UK is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Milton Keynes that fosters collaboration and innovation. With a strong commitment to employee growth, we provide comprehensive benefits including a generous pension scheme, performance-related bonuses, and ample holiday leave, ensuring a healthy work-life balance. Our inclusive culture values diversity and encourages personal development, making it an ideal place for professionals seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in the financial sector.

Santander UK

Contact Details:

Santander UK Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Solution Architect | S4 | Architecture | Milton Keynes

Get Your Portfolio Game On Point

As an aspiring architect, your portfolio is your golden ticket. Make sure it's not just a collection of your best work, but tells a story about your design process and creative thought. Showcase a range of projects, from conceptual sketches to final renderings—think of it as a visual CV!

Slide into Networking Events

Architecture thrives on community connections, so keep an eye out for local architecture meetups, exhibitions, and lectures. These events are gold for meeting industry professionals, and who knows? You might just bump into someone from Santander UK who can give you the insider scoop on their hiring process!

Learn the Software Inside Out

Make sure you're up to speed with design software like AutoCAD, Revit, and SketchUp. Being able to discuss your proficiency during interviews can really set you apart. Plus, if you can mention particular projects where you’ve used them, you’ll demonstrate both skill and practical experience.

Refine Your Interview Skills

Interviews for architecture roles can get quite technical, so practice answering questions about your design process and decision-making strategies. Prepare for potential design challenges they might put forward in interviews—show them you can think on your feet and come up with innovative solutions!

We think you need these skills to ace Solution Architect | S4 | Architecture | Milton Keynes

Solution Architecture
GenAI Tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Azure, AWS)
IT Systems Design
Financial Institution Domain Knowledge
Operational Customer Communications
Adobe Tech Stack (DAM/AEM/AEP)
Customer Marketing Campaigns

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Design Skills:Architecture is all about creativity and technical skills, so make sure your portfolio is front and centre! Include a range of your best projects, showcasing different styles and techniques. Don't forget to explain your design process and the challenges you overcame for each project – it gives hiring managers a glimpse into your thought process!

Tailor Your CV to Architecture:When putting together your CV, highlight relevant experience in architectural design software, like AutoCAD or Revit. Plus, if you have any internships or coursework that involved real-world projects, be sure to mention them. We want to see not just what you've done, but how it relates directly to this role at Santander UK!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to express your passion for architecture and what drew you to Santander UK. Talk about specific projects or values of theirs you admire, and how you see yourself contributing to their team. We want to feel your enthusiasm – let it shine through your words!

Use Professional Terminology:Don't shy away from using industry-specific jargon that demonstrates your expertise! Terms like 'sustainability', 'scale', and 'aesthetics' can not only show your knowledge but also help you connect with the hiring team. Just ensure it's done in a way that's relatable and not overly technical, so we can see your passion clearly!

How to prepare for a job interview at Santander UK

Master the Technical Questions

In an architecture interview, be ready to tackle some technical questions about building codes, design principles, and software like AutoCAD or Revit. Brush up on your knowledge of materials and components, as you might even face scenarios to solve during the interview that showcase your problem-solving skills in real-time.

Bring Your Portfolio to Life

Your portfolio is your golden ticket! Make sure it not only showcases your best work but also highlights your design thinking process, from sketches to final outputs. During the interview, be prepared to discuss the projects in detail—what challenges you faced, how you overcame them, and what you learnt.

Demonstrate Your Passion for Sustainability

In today's architecture landscape, sustainability is key. Be sure to highlight any projects that involved eco-friendly designs or your understanding of sustainable practices. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the trends but are genuinely passionate about creating a better future through your designs.

Engage with Your Interviewers

Architecture is a collaborative field, so showing that you're a team player is essential. When conversing with the interviewers, actively listen and respond to their ideas. This isn’t just about you showing off your skills, but also about connecting and demonstrating how well you’d fit into their team at Santander UK.