Atkins, a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group, is one of the world’s most respected design, engineering and project management consultancies.

This role is within the Digital Advisory Team which has an excellent record in consultancy and delivery to a wide range of clients, which includes some of the largest public and private sector organisations in the UK, particularly in defence, security and government markets.

Responsible for the definition of technology architecture and modelling, options and solutions to meet strategic business objectives. Ensuring these designs and solutions are efficient, sustainable and fit-for-purpose for current and future business needs.

Capabilities and characteristics are divided into seven core delivery groups:

• Technical Skills: - Knowledge and experience in the application and use of technologies and their incorporation into solution design.
• Analytical Thinking and Resolution Identification: Skills in the area of applying knowledge and experience to situations and information and applying creativity to the identification and assessment of solution options.
• Behavioural Characteristics: Personal characteristics, ways of performing work and collaborating with the wider solution community.
• Business Knowledge: Organisational knowledge, the specific area in which it operates, partners, suppliers and competitors. The regulatory landscape as well as the wider business environment and business operating principals.
• Collaborations skills: Working alongside solution colleague’s, both within the Solution Architecture function and the wider business organisation while handling and resolving issues
• Communication skills: Methods and way this role communicates and presents solution options.
• Tools and techniques: Leveraging various tools, methodologies, approaches and standards in performing this role.

Responsibilities:

As a principal solution architect, you will be responsible for the design, description and managing the development of solutions to support our client’s business strategies. Leading and/or supporting initiatives and introducing technical visions for a solution within the Enterprise Architecture Framework.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Driving through customer strategies in often complex, mixed technology environments.
• Balancing technological and business solutions to address client needs.
• Defining features, requirements and development phases against which delivery must be made.
• Developing solution specifications in line with business strategies and appropriate frameworks.
• Possess a broad knowledge of information technology architectures, principals, deployment and operating models along with their application.
• As a senior technologist, this role must understand the principals of Solution Architecture and design and be able to complete design deliverables, operable and useable solutions.
• Software Architectures is one of many components within the solution design model creation, how are they created, implemented and delivered are key.
• Data Architecture, another core domain in the creation of solution designs including however not limited to data architectures, data storage, integrations, transfer and data exchange.
• Integration Architectures and incorporating how solutions can be integrated and interact within one another.
• Business Architecture and how the analysis of the current business operating model will be impacted by change, which is driving the need for solution design. Process improvement and or new process development are also a key area.
• Enterprise Architecture collaboration and continuous improvement in supporting principals, standards, policies and technology strategy.
• Security Architecture across the solution landscape to include however not limited to IDAM, data privacy, access control, transfer and exchange, infrastructure and administration.

Role & Security Requirements:

• A degree in a science, computing or engineering subject, or equivalent experience.
• Proven work experience as a Principal Solution Architect, technology consultant or similar role.
• Experience with the use of Enterprise Architecture frameworks such as ISO42010, TOGAF, Zachman and the ITIL and IT4IT service architecture frameworks.
• Experience of systems design and delivery, applying engineering rigour through technical architecture modelling techniques.
• In-depth understanding of technology structure principles.
• Experience gathering and analysing system requirements.

Industry Experience:

• Experience working within Local Government, Regulated Industries, Defence or Security and Intelligence markets is beneficial.
• Appreciation and/or experience of different delivery methods such as Agile, SAFe, Scrum and their approaches such as scrums, backlogs.
• Hands on delivery experience in infrastructure and enterprise communication platforms / systems.
• The classification of this role is anticipated to be O-S - COMMERCIAL with infrequent access to higher classification elements and therefore the level of clearance for this requirement is SC as a minimum.

The Individual:

• Excellent stakeholder management with focus on nurturing & developing strong relationships
• Strong consulting skills, knowledge of a variety of techniques and methods to capture, elaborate and understand client challenges (structured thinking, effective report writing and presentations, and strong stakeholder engagement).
• Good negotiation, communication and relationship building skills; able to influence business decisions and formulate positive relationships with customers, strategic partners and colleges.
• A high-level of self-initiation, organisation and enthusiasm.
• Motivated to drive the design and delivery of solutions that realise the outcomes for the client’s needs.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to influence effectively across multiple media.
• Personable team player, able to work under guidance and own initiative, adding expertise and value to project deliverables.
• Proven analytical and problem-solving skills.
• A strong interest and appreciation of technology trends and government IT strategy such as, Cloud, Internet of Things, Cyber Security, Big Data and digital service design and delivery.

Why work for Atkins?

People join us because they share a desire to be at the forefront of the ADS&T Business Unit and deliver outstanding projects. We empower our people to be the professional individuals they want to be, working on projects they feel proud of, making a difference to the world they live in and the legacy they leave behind.

We develop individuals through a portfolio of training and development courses designed to help you make the best of your abilities and talents. We encourage participation in all forms of training and have an active programme of in-house as well as external training for all our staff.

Meeting your needs:

When you start with us, you'll enjoy "Total Reward", a package that can be tailored to your lifestyle, career and personal needs. From flexible holidays to life assurance, health & wellbeing benefits, and career planning for the senior stage of your career.

Making sure you're supported is important to us. So, if you identify as having a disability, tell us ahead of your interview. And let's talk about any adjustments you might need.

More about us:

Atkins, a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group, is a leading global consultancy with over 80 years of design and engineering expertise. With us, you'll be surrounded by the skills, knowledge and support to help you succeed. Together, we can deliver projects which have a positive, sustainable impact on the world.

Training:

Atkins is committed to developing its people both personally and professionally. Our colleagues have the advantage of access to a high ranging training portfolio and development activities designed to help make the best of individual’s abilities and talents. We also actively support staff in achieving corporate membership of relevant institutions.

Flexible Working:

Atkins recognise that there are many well qualified people who are looking to further their career, but who cannot commit to full time employment.

We support flexible working arrangements and are interested to discuss how we can accommodate individual requirements.

Diversity & Inclusion:

ATKINS, part of the SNC Lavalin Group, is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and ability.

Security Clearance:

This role may require security clearance and offers of employment will be dependent on obtaining the relevant level of clearance. If this is necessary, it will be discussed with you at interview. If applying to this role please do not make reference to (in conversation) or include in your application or CV, details of any current or previously held security clearance.