Solutions Architect

Role: Solution Architect

IR35: Outside

Location: Lancashire (Hybrid, 2 Days/Week On Site)

Day Rate: up to £700.00 (DOE)

Duration: 6 Months+

Contract Solution Architect with a strong applications and software background to play a pivotal role in shaping and modernising its application landscape.

This is not an infrastructure-led role. The focus is firmly on application architecture, integration, and modernisation across a complex, multi-system environment.

You will lead end-to-end solution design, bring structure to legacy estates, and help define a scalable, future-ready applications strategy across multiple business domains.

The Role

This is a hands-on architecture role where you will work closely with delivery teams, product owners, and senior stakeholders to translate business needs into robust, scalable application solutions.

You will be instrumental in moving the organisation from fragmented legacy systems towards a more integrated, modern architecture built on clear standards and reusable patterns.

K ey Responsibilities

• Assess the current application estate, identifying opportunities for consolidation, optimisation, and replacement
• Define and implement integration patterns across systems, including APIs, middleware, and microservices
• Produce high-quality solution designs, architecture artefacts, and future-state roadmaps
• Provide architectural oversight across delivery teams, ensuring consistency with standards and best practice
• Support modernisation initiatives, including application refactoring, re-platforming, and rationalisation
• Work closely with stakeholders to balance technical integrity with commercial and delivery constraints

Essential Experience

• Strong background in Solution Architecture with a clear focus on applications and software, not infrastructure
• Proven experience leading end-to-end application architecture in complex environments
• Excellent understanding of application lifecycle management, integration patterns, and data flows
• Track record of modernising legacy systems and shaping future-state architectures
• Experience working across multiple applications and business domains simultaneously
• Ability to communicate effectively with both technical teams and non-technical stakeholders

Desirable

• Experience with API-led architecture, event-driven design, or microservices
• Exposure to cloud-based application platforms and modern development practices
• Familiarity with architecture frameworks or governance models