Principal Solution Architect (we have office locations in Cambridge, Leeds and London)

Genomics England are hiring a Principal Solution Architect. You will be responsible for managing the architects within the Scalable Tech area (platform and infrastructure services), providing architectural leadership across the service. You will ensure the solutions and platforms developed there align to enterprise direction and organisational priorities. You will supervise architecture across Scalable Tech, support teams in shaping robust and scalable technology solutions, act as a senior leader within the Architecture Chapter, and be responsible for the Scalable Tech input into enterprise architecture. Your previous roles will include leading architecture across complex technology environments and supporting teams delivering large-scale platforms and services. You will bring experience of managing or mentoring architects, setting direction across multiple initiatives, and balancing strategic architecture leadership with pragmatic delivery support. You will have broad knowledge of complex technology platforms, solution architecture, and enterprise architecture practices, with the ability to work across cloud and on-premise environments as needed. You will help develop architecture best practice for the chapter, support consistency in how architects work, and provide technical leadership that improves quality, reuse, and long-term maintainability. The complex nature of genomics means we use a wide variety of AWS and on-premise technologies focussed on high-performance compute, high speed storage, advanced security features and genomics-specific services such as HealthOmics. Key Responsibilities: - Provide architectural oversight for major initiatives (Hosting Strategy implementation, AWS platform improvement), ensuring appropriate governance, quality, and technical coherence. - Manage and support architects working across the Scalable Tech area, providing leadership, direction, and coaching. - Supervise architecture across Scalable Tech to ensure solutions are aligned to enterprise standards, strategic goals, and delivery priorities. - Develop, embed, and continuously improve architecture best practice for the Architecture Chapter, including standards, patterns, and ways of working. - Collaborate with engineering, product, and delivery leaders to shape roadmaps and support effective decision-making. - Support the evolution of scalable technology platforms across cloud and on-premise environments. - Own the Scalable Tech input into enterprise architecture, ensuring local priorities, platforms, and decisions are represented and aligned with wider organisational direction. - Promote reuse, consistency, and technical excellence through architecture patterns, guidance, and peer collaboration. - Work closely with architects and engineers across GEL to create coherent end-to-end solutions. - Foster a culture of continuous improvement, strong architectural governance, and effective cross-team collaboration. Essential Skills and Experience: - Significant experience in solution architecture across complex enterprise environments, including cloud (AWS) and on-premise platforms. - Demonstrable experience providing architectural leadership across multiple teams or initiatives, balancing strategic direction with delivery support. - Experience managing, mentoring, or leading architects, including setting direction, supporting development, and driving high standards of practice. - Strong understanding of enterprise architecture principles and the ability to represent a service or domain within wider enterprise architecture discussions. - Proven ability to provide architectural governance and oversight for significant programmes, platforms, or technology change initiatives. - Ability to develop, embed, and improve architecture best practice, standards, patterns, and ways of working. - Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills, with the ability to influence engineering, product, delivery, and senior leadership audiences. - Experience shaping architectural choices across both immediate delivery needs and longer-term strategic direction. - Strong understanding of complex technology platforms, including infrastructure, networking, security, compute, and storage concepts. - Ability to work effectively across multidisciplinary teams and to create alignment across architects, engineers, and delivery stakeholders. - Deep understanding of AWS services, including networking, security, compute, and storage. Desirable Skills and Experience: - Hands-on experience with AWS services and patterns across areas such as networking, security, compute, storage, and automation. - Experience with DevOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, and infrastructure as code. - Experience of operating within or improving architecture governance forums such as a Technical Design Authority. - Experience in a Cloud Centre of Excellence, platform engineering, or platform-as-a-product environment. - Experience in healthcare, genomics, research, or other highly regulated and data-intensive domains. - Knowledge of high-performance compute, high-speed storage, or other specialist scalable technology environments. - Ability to manage suppliers to delivery architectural outcomes. - Knowledge of enterprise architecture tooling such as Abacus. - Experience applying TOGAF methodologies or equivalent enterprise architecture practices. While we genuinely recognise the real value of relevant qualifications or certifications, we are primarily interested in your real-world experience: - Degree, ideally in computer science or a STEM discipline. - AWS certifications (e.g., AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional). - TOGAF Certification or equivalent