Overview:
Define, design, and govern the end-to-end technical architecture across cloud and on-premise systems, ensuring scalability, security, maintainability, and alignment with business and enterprise architecture objectives. The role is responsible for establishing Azure-based solution architectures, guiding delivery teams, and ensuring that technology decisions drive long-term value, resilience, and performance across the organisation.
Responsibilities:
- Solution Architecture & Design
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Design end-to-end solution architectures across applications, data, integrations, and infrastructure within Microsoft Azure environments
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Define architectural patterns for cloud-native, hybrid, and distributed systems
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Develop high-level and low-level designs (HLD/LLD), ensuring clarity for delivery teams
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Ensure solutions are scalable, resilient, secure, and cost-optimised
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Azure Cloud Architecture
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Define and implement architecture using Azure services, including:
- Compute: Azure App Services, Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS), Azure Functions
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Data: Azure SQL, Cosmos DB, Data Lake, Synapse Analytics
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Integration: Azure API Management, Logic Apps, Service Bus, Event Grid
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Security: Azure Active Directory (Entra ID), Key Vault, Managed Identities
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Design for high availability, disaster recovery, and business continuity using Azure-native capabilities
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Ensure effective use of Infrastructure as Code (IaC) using Bicep, ARM templates, or Terraform
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Integration & System Design
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Define integration patterns and system interactions across microservices and enterprise systems
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Design APIs and event-driven architectures using REST, messaging, and asynchronous patterns
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Ensure interoperability between legacy systems and modern cloud-based platforms
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Technical Leadership & Governance
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Provide technical leadership and architectural guidance to development and engineering teams
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Review and approve solution designs and key technical decisions
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Ensure alignment with enterprise architecture standards, governance frameworks, and design principles
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Define and enforce architecture governance processes, design reviews, and checkpoints
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Technology Evaluation & Innovation
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Evaluate new technologies, frameworks, and tools within the Azure ecosystem
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Conduct proofs of concept (PoCs) and recommend solutions based on business and technical fit
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Drive adoption of cloud best practices, DevSecOps, and modern engineering approaches
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Security, Compliance & Risk Management
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Ensure compliance with security best practices, regulatory requirements (e.g., GDPR), and organisational policies
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Embed zero-trust architecture principles and secure design practices
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Identify and mitigate technical risks, vulnerabilities, and architectural gaps
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Stakeholder Engagement
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Engage with business stakeholders, product owners, and leadership teams to understand requirements
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Translate business needs into scalable and pragmatic technical architecture solutions
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Communicate architecture decisions, trade-offs, and risks clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences
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Delivery Support & Collaboration
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Collaborate with Agile delivery teams, DevOps engineers, QA teams, and architects
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Support programme delivery, roadmap planning, and release strategies
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Provide guidance during implementation, integration, and deployment phases
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related discipline
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Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert
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TOGAF or equivalent architecture certification
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Azure DevOps / Security certifications (advantageous)
Essential skills:
- Deep expertise in Microsoft Azure cloud platform
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Strong knowledge of the Azure Well-Architected Framework, including reliability, security, cost optimisation, operational excellence, and performance efficiency
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Strong knowledge of cloud-native architecture patterns and microservices-based design
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Strong understanding of distributed systems design
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Strong understanding of event-driven architectures
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Strong understanding of API-first design principles
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Ability to produce architecture diagrams, artefacts, and standards documentation
Strong understanding of Infrastructure as Code (IaC) -
Familiarity with Docker containerisation and AKS/Kubernetes orchestration
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Knowledge of Azure security services and identity management
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Familiarity with DevSecOps practices and security automation
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Knowledge of data governance, data pipelines, and real-time processing
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Strong leadership and decision-making capability
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Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
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Strategic thinking with attention to technical detail
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Ability to balance innovation with delivery pragmatism
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High level of accountability and ownership
Experience:
- Experience with enterprise architecture frameworks (e.g., TOGAF)
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Experience implementing CI/CD pipelines using Azure DevOps and GitHub Actions
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Experience implementing secure design principles and compliance frameworks
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Experience designing data platforms and integration architectures
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Proven delivery of robust, scalable, secure, and future-proof architecture
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solutions
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Experience delivering highly resilient systems with minimal downtime and strong performance outcomes
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Experience providing clear and consistent technical direction across multiple delivery teams
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Experience driving adherence to architecture standards, governance, and best practices
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Experience improving system performance, cost optimisation, and resource utilisation within Azure environments
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Experience reducing technical debt through standardisation and modernisation initiatives
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Experience aligning business objectives with technical solutions
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Proven track record of delivering programme milestones and transformation objectives
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Experience reducing architecture-related risks and security vulnerabilities
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Experience ensuring compliance with enterprise, regulatory, and security standard
Benefits:
- Collaborative working environment – we stand shoulder to shoulder with our clients and our peers through good times and challenges
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We empower all passionate technology loving professionals by allowing them to expand their skills and take part in inspiring projects
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Expleo Academy - enables you to acquire and develop the right skills by delivering a suite of accredited training courses
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Competitive company benefits
- Always working as one team, our people are not afraid to think big and challenge the status quo
#LI-BM1
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As a Disability Confident Committed Employer we have committed to:
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Ensure our recruitment process is inclusive and accessible
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Communicating and promoting vacancies
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Offering an interview to disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for the job
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Anticipating and providing reasonable adjustments as required
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Supporting any existing employee who acquires a disability or long term health condition, enabling them to stay in work at least one activity that will make a difference for disabled people
“We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age”.
We treat everyone fairly and equitably across the organisation, including providing any additional support and adjustments needed for everyone to thrive