SOLUTION ARCHITECT

Requisition ID11286 -Posted - Years of Experience (2) -Technology - Where (1)

Affinity Reply is a leading UK-based architecture consultancy focused exclusively on optimising IT/business alignment and minimising the cost of business and technology change. We are growing our architecture capability — particularly in Financial Services and in AI-led solution architecture — and are recruiting Solution Architects at two career stages. Whether you are taking your first independent steps into architecture or already running design authority on complex programmes, we want to hear from you.

Role Overview

As a Solution Architect at Affinity Reply, you will design and deliver enterprise-grade architectures that align business needs with modern technology across cloud, hybrid, and on-premise environments. You will help shape next‑generation client solutions by integrating legacy platforms with emerging technologies, including generative and agentic AI, to deliver measurable business outcomes. Depending on your experience, you will either develop your architecture capability within an experienced team or lead end‑to‑end architecture on complex programmes, acting as a design authority and trusted advisor to senior stakeholders. This role offers a structured progression path with opportunities to grow into Senior, Lead, and Design Authority positions, supported by mentoring, certifications, and exposure across diverse clients and sectors.

Responsibilities

• Design and own solution and technical architectures, producing high‑level designs, solution options, impact assessments, and readiness reviews
• Contribute to architecture across enterprise integration, APIs, microservices, and cloud platforms, owning end‑to‑end delivery or key components depending on experience
• Bridge business and IT by working with stakeholders to ensure solutions deliver measurable business value
• Support the full delivery lifecycle, from design and option assessment through to implementation and oversight
• Design and deliver next‑generation solutions leveraging generative AI and agentic AI architectures
• Contribute to the development of reusable assets, accelerators, methodologies, and propositions to strengthen capability
• Provide architectural input into bids, proposals, and strategic client engagements
• Mentor and support colleagues, helping develop architecture capability and raise standards across the practice
• Apply architecture frameworks, templates, and governance consistently across all engagements
• Invest in continuous professional development, seeking feedback, gaining certifications, and enhancing architecture expertise

About the Candidate

• Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems or similar, or equivalent IT delivery experience
• 1–3 years’ experience in IT delivery, engineering, or architecture‑adjacent roles, or 3–5+ years in solution, technical, or domain architecture roles
• Experience working in regulated industries, ideally financial services, or comparable sectors (e.g. healthcare, defence, utilities, government)
• Strong understanding of solution architecture principles, including conceptual, logical, and physical layers, components, interfaces, and non‑functional requirements
• Cloud expertise across AWS, Azure, or GCP, supported by associate/intermediate certification or higher
• Working knowledge of the software development lifecycle and Agile delivery methodologies
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to produce clear documentation, diagrams, and engage effectively with stakeholders
• Analytical and structured thinker, with the ability to break down complex problems and drive clarity
• Proactive, self‑directed learner with a growth mindset and ability to act on feedback; eligible for UK SC clearance

For established architects

• Experience leading end‑to‑end solution architecture, understanding regulatory constraints, and designing secure, scalable systems across integration, APIs, microservices, and cloud
• Experience with architecture frameworks (e.g. TOGAF), influencing senior stakeholders, acting as design authority, mentoring others, and contributing to bids and pre‑sales
• The following are advantageous: DevOps/IaC experience, modelling tools, data architecture exposure, familiarity with AI architecture patterns, advanced cloud certifications, regulatory frameworks, and consulting or client‑facing experience

Reply is an Equal Opportunities Employer and committed to embracing diversity in the workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type regardless of age, sexual orientation, gender, identity, pregnancy, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, disability, medical history, skincolour, marital status or parental status or any other characteristic protected by the Law.

Reply is committed to making sure that our selection methods are fair to everyone. To help you during the recruitment process, please let us know of any Reasonable Adjustments you may need.

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