At a Glance
- Tasks: Design innovative application-led solutions and collaborate with teams to drive transformation.
- Company: Sword, a leader in business technology solutions for Energy, Public, and Finance sectors.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, personalised career development, and comprehensive benefits package.
- Other info: Inclusive culture that values diversity and supports professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape impactful solutions in a dynamic environment while enhancing your skills and career.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Solutions Architect with strong applications focus and stakeholder engagement skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 € per year.
Sword is a leading provider of business technology solutions within the Energy, Public and Finance Sectors, driving real transformation change within our clients. We use proven technology, specialist teams and domain expertise to build solid technical foundations across platforms, data and business applications. We have a passion for using technology to solve business problems, working in partnership with our clients to help in achieving their goals.
Sword is supporting a key Oil & Gas programme with an oil and gas customer and is seeking an experienced Solutions Architect to play a critical role in shaping and assuring application-led solution designs. This is a hands-on architecture role focused on applications, integration, and data flows, with an appreciation of the enabling infrastructure landscape (IAM, cloud/hybrid, networking). You’ll work within a structured governance environment, ensuring solutions are aligned to architecture principles and ready for delivery into BAU.
- Application-Led Solution Design
- Define end-to-end solution architectures across applications, integration, and data layers
- Translate business requirements into pragmatic, scalable designs
- Identify retained, new, or transitional applications to support business capabilities
- Design & Documentation
- Produce High Level Designs (HLDs) and supporting artefacts
- Ensure all designs are clear, consistent, and governance-ready
- Maintain documentation aligned to programme standards
- Infrastructure Awareness
- Design solutions with awareness of:
- Identity & Access Management (IAM)
- Integration approaches
- Cloud / hybrid hosting models
- Network and segmentation considerations
- Governance & Assurance
- Engage with the Technical Design Authority (TDA)
- Support design reviews, queries, and assurance processes
- Provide feedback on third-party or workstream designs
- Delivery & Transition
- Ensure architectural intent is maintained through delivery and go-live
- Support cutover, transition, and early life activities
Essential
- Proven experience as a Solutions Architect with a strong applications focus
- Experience designing end-to-end solutions across applications, integration, and data
- Good understanding of underlying infrastructure (non-hands-on)
- Experience working within design governance frameworks
- Strong stakeholder engagement and documentation skills
Desirable
- Experience in supplier or systems integrator environments
- Exposure to Day 1 / separation / greenfield programmes
- Experience in multi-vendor or multi-tower environments
- TOGAF or equivalent architecture certification
At Sword, our core values and culture are based on caring about our people, investing in training and career development and building inclusive teams where we are all encouraged to contribute to achieve success. We offer comprehensive benefits designed to support your professional development and enhance your overall quality of life. In addition to a Competitive Salary, here's what you can expect as part of our benefits package:
- Personalised Career Development: We create a development plan customised to your goals and aspirations, with a range of learning and development opportunities within a culture that encourages growth.
- Flexible working: Flexible work arrangements to support your work-life balance. We can’t promise to always be able to meet every request, however are keen to discuss your individual preferences to make it work where we can.
- A Fantastic Benefits Package: This includes generous annual leave allowance, enhanced family friendly benefits, pension scheme, access to private health, well-being, and insurance schemes, an employee assistance programme, discounted cash plan and more...
At Sword we are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and are proud to be an equal opportunities employer, ensuring that all applicants receive fair and equal consideration for employment, regardless of whether they meet every requirement. If you don’t tick all the boxes but feel you have some of the relevant skills and experience we’re looking for, please do consider applying and highlight your transferable skills and experience. We embrace diversity in all its forms, valuing individuals regardless of age, disability, gender identity or reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. Your perspective and potential are important to us. If we can do anything to help make the hiring process more accessible, please let our talent acquisition team know when you apply so we can support any adjustments.
Solutions Architect (Applications) - Contract employer: Sword Group
Sword is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and well-being of its employees, offering personalised career development plans and a comprehensive benefits package that includes flexible working arrangements and generous leave allowances. Our inclusive work culture fosters collaboration and innovation, ensuring that every team member's contributions are valued as we drive transformation in the Energy, Public, and Finance sectors.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Solutions Architect (Applications) - Contract
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who work at Sword or similar companies. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by understanding the company’s projects and values. Dive into Sword's recent work in the Energy sector and think about how your skills as a Solutions Architect can contribute to their goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your hands-on experience! Be ready to discuss specific projects where you’ve designed end-to-end solutions. Use examples that highlight your ability to translate business needs into practical designs.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the Sword team.
We think you need these skills to ace Solutions Architect (Applications) - Contract
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience as a Solutions Architect, especially focusing on applications and integration. We want to see how your skills align with the job description, so don’t hold back!
Showcase Your Documentation Skills:Since documentation is key in this role, include examples of High Level Designs (HLDs) or any relevant artefacts you've produced. This will demonstrate your ability to maintain clear and governance-ready designs, which is super important for us.
Highlight Your Stakeholder Engagement:We love seeing candidates who can effectively engage with stakeholders. Share specific instances where you’ve collaborated with teams or clients to deliver successful solutions. This will show us you’re a team player and can navigate complex environments.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about our culture and values.
How to prepare for a job interview at Sword Group
✨Know Your Solutions Inside Out
Make sure you have a solid understanding of application-led solution designs. Brush up on your experience with end-to-end solutions, integration, and data flows. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you've successfully implemented these concepts.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Governance Frameworks
Since this role involves working within structured governance environments, it’s crucial to understand design governance frameworks. Prepare examples of how you've engaged with Technical Design Authorities or similar bodies in past roles.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Engagement Skills
This position requires strong stakeholder engagement, so think of instances where you've effectively communicated complex technical information to non-technical stakeholders. Highlight your documentation skills and how they contributed to project success.
✨Understand the Infrastructure Landscape
Even though this is not a hands-on role, having a good grasp of IAM, cloud/hybrid models, and networking considerations will set you apart. Be prepared to discuss how these elements influence your architectural decisions.
