Senior Solution Architect

TfL is seeking a Senior Solution Architect to contribute to moving London forward safely, inclusively, and sustainably. This role is crucial for navigating an ever-changing environment driven by technological advancements, shifting customer usage patterns, and the climate emergency.

You will work on projects spanning public transport, roads, walking, cycling, real estate, asset management, regulation, and enforcement. The ideal candidate is passionate about working for TfL, possesses strong business and technical skills to deliver complex solutions, and excels in interpersonal communication. Critical thinking, research abilities, and comfort presenting recommendations to all levels are essential.

Overview of Project/Role

The Senior Solution Architect will be responsible for creating project-level architecture designs for solutions developed in-house or by partners. This involves building consensus and gaining approval from impacted business and technical teams. You will support project teams through delivery to ensure desired outcomes are achieved and design changes are properly considered, agreed, and approved.

Key Accountabilities

• Ensure project vision, scope, and desired outcomes are clearly defined and meet business needs.
• Understand organisational objectives and external drivers like legislation and industry compliance.
• Lead end-to-end solution architecture for projects involving high-volume, mission-critical, revenue-generating systems.
• Operate within defined business and technical constraints.
• Collaborate with colleagues in other technical teams to ensure principles and best practices are applied.
• Ensure functional and non-functional requirements are fit for purpose and align with project scope, vision, and service criticality.
• Stay current with technology trends and approaches.
• Analyze and present solution options to business and technical stakeholders, including build vs. buy analyses.
• Work with technical teams to develop cost and delivery estimates.
• Manage risks, decisions, and assumptions transparently.
• Design and document high-level and low-level designs aligned with TfL enterprise architecture principles, ensuring approval through formal governance.
• Communicate and collaborate with business and technical stakeholders to build consensus.
• Support project teams through delivery to ensure desired outcomes are achieved and design changes are fully considered, agreed, and approved.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Proven experience as a Solution or Technical Architect on large-scale, revenue-generating systems.
• Strong experience designing event-driven architectures, including enterprise messaging and integration patterns.
• Demonstrated expertise in architecting solutions across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid deployment models.
• Ability to define and apply solution design patterns.
• Proficiency in producing designs using UML, Sparx Systems Enterprise Architecture, Visio, and Office 365.
• Experience with medium and large-scale public sector IT procurement projects.
• A qualification in a relevant subject area (e.g., Solution Architecture, TOGAF) is desirable.
• Experience in designing for high availability, disaster recovery, and regional resilience.
• Industry knowledge of IT trends, particularly within public transport operations and payments.
• Experience designing scalable microservices architectures using Kubernetes-based platforms.
• Experience designing and governing solutions using Microsoft Azure services, including AKS, App Services, API Management, Functions, and Service Bus/Event Grid.

Application Process

Please apply using your CV only. Ensure your CV thoroughly covers the skills, knowledge, and experience outlined in the advert. PDF format is preferred, and please do not include photographs or images.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

TfL is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion, aiming to represent the city it serves. As a disability confident employer, TfL guarantees an interview to any disabled candidate who meets the essential criteria. Information you provide must be honest and accurate for smooth progression of your application.

Benefits

In return for your commitment and expertise, you will enjoy excellent benefits and scope to grow, including:

• Final salary pension scheme
• Free travel on the TfL network
• Reimbursement for National Rail travel (75% of standard class ticket or 28-day flexi ticket)
• 30 days annual leave plus public and bank holidays
• Hybrid working approach
• Optional private healthcare discounted scheme
• Tax-efficient cycle-to-work programme
• Retail, health, leisure, and travel offers
• Discounted Eurostar travel