Solutions Architect

Solution Architect

Liverpool · Hybrid (2 days onsite) · 6-month contract · Outside IR35

We have a brilliant opportunity for an experienced Solution Architect to shape the future architecture of a major operational platform replacement programme.

This role will provide technical leadership and assurance as two separate legacy core systems are replaced by a scalable, Azure-based, event-driven platform and supporting SaaS capabilities.

What's the role?

Working alongside the Business Analyst and Delivery Manager, you will establish a clear view of the current technology landscape, define the target architecture, and represent internal technology interests throughout vendor selection and implementation.

You will own the integration architecture across operational systems, courier applications, optimisation solutions, scanning and measuring technology, third-party platforms, data services, and satellite applications. You will also shape how operational and event data flows into Databricks and Microsoft Fabric to support analytics, machine learning, and optimisation capabilities.

If you enjoy combining hands-on architecture discovery with vendor challenge, future-state design, and pragmatic transition planning, this is an opportunity to influence a strategically important platform from the ground up.

Key Responsibilities

• Understand and document the current architecture, including two core operating systems, Microsoft ESB, integrations, data flows, dependencies, and the wider operational technology landscape.
• Design the target Operations Platform architecture, replacing legacy systems with a scalable Azure-based, event-driven architecture and event bus.
• Own integration architecture across optimisation solutions, courier applications, under-the-roof scanning, measuring devices, SaaS platforms, third parties, and other operational systems.
• Define data architecture and flows, including operational and event-data ingress into Databricks and Microsoft Fabric and integration with analytics, machine learning, and optimisation capabilities.
• Assess how one or multiple vendors would fit within the target architecture and provide technical assurance throughout selection and implementation.
• Review and challenge vendor and supplier designs, ensuring solutions remain secure, scalable, supportable, and aligned to enterprise standards.
• Document current-state integration touchpoints, future-state designs, key architectural decisions, and differences between current and target operating models.
• Define the transition roadmap from the current landscape through procurement, implementation, migration, and decommissioning, working across internal technology teams and third-party suppliers to protect long-term platform integrity.

Person Requirements

• Proven experience as a Solution Architect, Integration Architect, or Enterprise Architect on major system replacement or modernisation programmes.
• Strong Azure architecture experience, including event-driven design, event buses, integration patterns, APIs, and enterprise service bus environments.
• Experience owning integration architecture across complex operational estates and multiple internal and third-party systems.
• Strong understanding of data architecture and modern data platforms, ideally including Databricks and Microsoft Fabric.
• Experience providing technical assurance within vendor-led SaaS procurement and implementation programmes.
• Ability to compare current and future-state architectures, identify gaps and dependencies, and create pragmatic transition roadmaps.
• Confident challenging vendor designs and representing internal technology interests with senior stakeholders and suppliers.
• Experience in logistics, parcel delivery, freight, transport, supply chain, or similarly complex operational environments would be advantageous.

Next Steps

We are looking for an architect who can rapidly understand a complex operational estate, set a clear technical direction, and ensure vendors deliver an integrated platform that is scalable, supportable, and fit for the future.

Finer details:

• To be considered, you must be immediately available or able to start at short notice.
• Location: Hybrid working, with 2 days per week onsite in Liverpool.
• Contract length: 6 months, with potential to extend.
• IR35 status: Outside IR35.
• Rate: £600–£620 per day.