Solutions Architect

The Company The UK’s leading cash processing company - Vaultex UK LTD are a joint venture between Barclays Bank and HSBC. When it comes to cash processing we are thought-leaders; developing ideas that the rest of the industry follows and adapting our service to meet the needs of our customers. Simply put, our role is to ensure that cash is widely available for use and that people continue to have confidence in cash as a payment method. Typically, Vaultex handle around £160 billion worth of bank notes and coins a year - which, if laid end-to-end, would stretch to the moon and back. An accredited Living Wage Foundation employer with IIP (Investors in People) Champion Status, our external recognition as leaders in people management ensures successful applicants will enjoy career development opportunities, structured training and an excellent benefits package and a generous company pension. The Role The primary purpose of the Solutions Architect (SA) is to determine, agree and communicate fit for purpose technology solutions, in the form of design documentation, which meets the needs of the business, while adhering to the Architecture Framework and the overall IT Strategy. The SA works closely with delivery teams throughout the change lifecycle to ensure, rather than assure, the right outcomes are achieved. The SA has a focus on the application and data domains, but must have sufficient knowledge about the infrastructure and hosting environments to effectively work with operations teams. Being a part of a small architecture team, the SA will further help to maintain the Architecture Framework to ensure we have a well-defined application portfolio and road-maps, along with supporting principles, patterns and standards. Designing fit for purpose solutions (incl. time spent with delivery teams) Maintaining the Architecture Framework Research and Innovation work and personal development Admin and Support related activities Skills / Experience Experienced Solutions Architect (acting in a lead capacity) on a variety of complex projects in a financial/regulated and/or highly complex environment where security is taken seriously Experienced at designing bespoke web-based solutions and integrating with in-house and third party solutions using modern APIs and integration/middleware technology Experienced at creating and taking design documentation through a formal approval process and communicating that design to delivery teams to ensure everyone understands what needs to be achieved Experienced working in RFP processes to ensure appropriate technology solutions are selected, followed by supporting the delivery of that technology in to the business Experienced working with small project teams throughout the entire change lifecycle, from functional and non-functional requirements gathering to service transition, competent to support that lifecycle where required Previous experience in software development and still close to technology Ideally experienced working with Enterprise Architects to maintain and evolve Architecture Frameworks; application portfolios, roadmaps, standards, patterns. Technical Previous development background, preferably in Microsoft technologies, e.g.: .Net and C# Web API (REST based APIs) Modern UI frameworks; e.g. React, Angular Databases - Microsoft SQL Server - Schema design and SQL Up to date experience with modern integration platforms and solutions: API Gateways and ESB platforms; e.g. Webmethods, Mule, AWS/Azure ETL; e.g. SSIS Queuing and Eventing Technology; e.g. ActiveMQ, Kafka Able to design robust and secure APIs using OpenAPI Specification Experience integrating and deploying to traditional infrastructure services: Server, database, web and application server, load balancers…. Experience integrating with monitoring technology; e.g. Elastic, New Relic Ideally experience with modern Identity and Access Management platforms Ideally experience designing and implementing CRM/Case/Process Management platforms Ideally experience designing and deploying solutions to Cloud platforms; Azure, AWS Cultural Ability to provide the necessary governance and controls for a regulated, financial organisations, in a lightweight and pragmatic way that allows the delivery teams to operate within an agile methodology Personal Someone who enjoys the challenge of technology and is interested in technology Collaborative, open and able to communicate effectively Self-motivated with a can-do attitude and takes pride in work Logical, analytical mind-set, able to solve problems without over-engineering Benefits Competitive Annual salary Up to 30% annual bonus Car allowance 25 days annual leave Generous company pension Vaultex UK Ltd is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from the community. Please note that due to the secure nature of our business all successful candidates will need to provide a five year traceable work history (satisfactory employment references or evidence to explain employment gaps), and complete a criminal record and credit background check.