Senior Solution Architect (S202672) in Belfast

Job Title: Senior Solution Architect
Reporting to: Head of Technology Strategy and Delivery
Location: Castlereagh House, Belfast (Hybrid 3 days office/ 2 days WFH)

The role

SONI (System Operator for Northern Ireland) is Northern Ireland’s Transmission System Operator (TSO). We manage the electricity grid to ensure that power can flow from where it is generated to where it is needed. We are now transforming the power system for future generations. Be part of the change!

We are an IT intensive business, and we operate state-of-the-art, specialised, business-critical systems that are currently provided by the EirGrid Group. As part of SONI’s changing role and separation from the Eirgrid Group, a large programme is being mobilised to design and deliver the separation of IT systems required by SONI to operate as an independent System Operator.

The role sits with the Technology Strategy & Delivery team which has responsibility for IT strategy, architecture and solution design, for setting best-practice IT architecture and design standards, policies and methodologies and for incubating new and emerging technologies.

The successful candidate will be responsible for steering IT projects down the right technical paths, managing not only the technical architecture choices but the impact of those choices on the overall solution approach. You will be responsible for ensuring that technology and application platforms are scalable, extensible and cost effective in line with IT strategy and customer needs. You will lead the creation of solution designs and roadmaps across SONI’s IT estate. You will provide thought leadership and advocate industry best practices and principles.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of end-to-end solution architectures and technical designs, ensuring alignment with enterprise architecture principles, technology strategy, security requirements and standards.

• Engage with business, operational and technology stakeholders to understand requirements and design solutions that meet current and future business needs.

• Develop and assess solution options, providing clear recommendations on architecture, technology choices, risks, dependencies and trade-offs.

• Provide architecture leadership for complex, business-critical technology solutions, ensuring appropriate consideration of security, resilience, availability, recoverability and operational continuity.

• Ensure solutions take an enterprise-wide view of applications, data, integration, infrastructure, cloud and operational technology dependencies.

• Work with the Enterprise Architect to develop target architectures, technology roadmaps and identify key technology investment and lifecycle decisions.

• Lead the architectural and technical aspects of technology procurement, including requirements definition, evaluation of supplier proposals and solution selection.
• Provide architectural oversight and assurance throughout delivery, ensuring solutions remain aligned with approved designs and that significant changes or risks are appropriately governed.
• Support the development and maintenance of architecture principles, standards, patterns and best practices.

• Assess technology and industry developments, including emerging technologies, and provide objective recommendations on their potential application within the organisation.

• Provide architectural and technical input to investment proposals, high-level cost assessments and regulatory submissions where required.

• Prepare and present architecture recommendations and solution designs to governance forums and senior management, while building effective relationships with technology partners, other utilities and the wider energy sector.

• Lead the technical assessment of existing EirGrid-hosted solutions, documenting the as-is architecture, including applications, infrastructure, data, integrations, interfaces and key dependencies.

• Develop and assess options for migrating or transitioning these solutions to SONI, identifying architectural impacts, risks, dependencies and recommended approaches.

Critical Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Essential:

• Degree in a relevant discipline, relevant professional qualification, or equivalent professional experience.

• Significant experience in a Solution Architecture or similar senior technology design role, with a strong understanding of application, data, integration, infrastructure/cloud and cyber security technologies.

• Demonstrable technical expertise in end-to-end solution design, gained through complex programmes or projects of significant scale and/or business criticality.

• Proven track record of architecting and overseeing the delivery of complex technology solutions, from initial requirements and options assessment through design, implementation and transition into service.

• Experience of designing solutions for secure, resilient and highly available technology environments, with an understanding of availability, recoverability, performance and operational continuity.

• Strong understanding of architecture principles, standards and governance, with experience of providing architecture assurance throughout the technology delivery lifecycle.

• Strong strategic and analytical capability, with the ability to translate complex business and technical requirements into practical, deliverable solution options.

• Ability to provide technical leadership, influence decision-making and constructively challenge stakeholders, while working collaboratively across business and technology teams.

• Strong experience of applying technology to solve business and operational problems, working with business stakeholders, technical specialists and third-party suppliers.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts and recommendations clearly to technical and non-technical stakeholders, including senior management.

• Ability to operate effectively in a complex and changing environment, managing competing priorities and providing clear technical direction where required.

Desirable:

• Experience within the electricity, utilities, energy or other critical national infrastructure sector.

• Understanding of Transmission System Operator operations and associated technology environments.

• Experience of EMS, SCADA, control centre, market or other operational technology environments.

Why join us?

• Play a vital role in shaping sustainable energy projects that benefit communities and the environment.

• Enjoy a competitive salary, performance-related bonus, private medical cover, and pension matching.

• Benefit from flexible working arrangements, including hybrid options (3 days office / 2 days home).

• Enhanced holidays, maternity and paternity leave and wellbeing days.

• Benefit from our award-winning wellbeing programme, designed to support your physical and mental wellbeing.

• A one-off payment of up to £5,000 is available to support employees undergoing fertility treatment.

• Employees are entitled to two weeks' paid bereavement leave following a miscarriage, reflecting our commitment to supporting colleagues through significant life events with compassion and care.

• Access salary sacrifice schemes (such as cycle to work, EV scheme), free car parking, onsite EV charging and complimentary lunch.

• Access professional development opportunities and clear career progression pathways.

• We offer an inclusive culture that values diversity, supports flexible working and empowers you to grow. We know flexible working means different things to different people. Contact us if you’d like to talk about how this role could work for you.

If you are seeking a challenging and impactful role within the energy sector, we’d love to hear from you. Join us in shaping the future of SONI and delivering a cleaner and more secure energy future for everyone living in Northern Ireland.

Closing date for applications is 20th November 2026

SONI reserves the right to extend this deadline where necessary to maximise the applicant pool.

Submit your application by uploading your CV with a cover letter (in one document).

SONI is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to an inclusive workplace where diverse perspectives are valued, and everyone can thrive. As a STEM organisation, we are continuing to strengthen gender diversity across our engineering and technology roles and welcome applications from women who want to build and apply their expertise to Northern Ireland’s energy system.

We have a duty to prevent illegal working and applicants must demonstrate they have a legal right to work in the UK. SONI is not providing sponsorship for this vacancy.