Solution Architect (Desktop Application) - FT/PT - EMEA/APAC

About the project

We are a small technology startup rebuilding and evolving an existing, production software product that has already launched but requires architectural, UX, and functional improvements. The core algorithm already exists and is proven. The scope of this role is to design, architect, and lead the redevelopment of the software wrapper around that algorithm, including backend, frontend, and supporting systems, and to define the delivery plan, team structure and estimates required to execute it.

You will play a key role in planning and executing the development of this exciting new software product. This project offers a unique opportunity to be involved in cutting-edge technology, which will undoubtedly excite individuals who are looking for a new challenge.

The Solutions Architect is a key role within our newly formed delivery team, working to ensure that solutions are defined and developed based on architecture standards and technologies. This is a hands-on, senior role combining solution architecture, technical leadership, and software development. You will initially focus on strategy, architecture, and planning, then transition into active development while leading a small delivery team.

You will also translate the product strategy into concrete solutions and design and execute a set of solution blueprints that support that strategy. You will evaluate all technology options assess impact on the wider business or customer processes while being responsible for estimating and tracking actual performance of the technical team.

Key Responsibilities

1. Architecture & Technical Leadership
● Review an existing production system, documentation and detailed project brief (under NDA)
● Understand business strategies, user needs, and existing environments to identify problems, defining the target architecture for:
○ Desktop application (Windows & macOS)
○ Supporting backend services
○ Web-based interfaces where required
● Develop the overall technical vision and blueprint for our product, choosing appropriate technologies and where relevant, recommending/justifying:
○ Tech stack
○ Hosting / infrastructure approach (currently cloud-based)
○ Architecture that supports future expansion (including potential mobile support)
● Act as a liaison between business leaders, developers, and other team members, translating technical details into understandable language.
● Proactively identify risks and issues and implement mitigation strategies as needed.

2. Delivery Planning
● Break requirements into clear milestones, development sprints and resource requirements ● Estimate team size and roles needed, timeline, development effort and risks
● Identify dependencies, contingencies, and testing requirements
● Develop and maintain architectural documentation, ensuring alignment with industry standards and best practices. Document designs, share knowledge, and advocate for process improvements.

3. Hands-on Development
● Actively contribute code alongside the delivery team
● Ensure code quality, performance, and maintainability
● Review and approve technical decisions and implementations
● Provide guidance to the development team, ensuring the solution meets quality attributes (performance, security) and standards.
● Manage the implementation process, monitor progress, and ensure the final solution delivers business value.

4. Overseeing Testing
● Setup and automate testing protocols for ongoing structural reliability of the software and sell-off of the product including Peer review of code
● User interface and functional acceptance testing
● Develop coding and testing guidelines

Knowledge and Skills

● The Solutions Architect should come from a technical delivery or development background with senior level experience as a Solution Architect, Technical Lead, or Principal Engineer
● Strong ability to assess needs and devise efficient, cost-effective solutions, providing resource and architecture estimates for solutions as required
● Proven experience:
○ Designing and rebuilding production software systems
○ Leading small engineering teams
○ Translating high-level requirements into executable plans
● Experience using diagramming techniques (swim lanes, flow charts, process maps and system diagrams) to visualise, manage and communicate about the project.
● Analytical, problem solver with particular attention to detail.
● Creative, with the power to think “out of the box”
● Literate and numerate with strong (written and oral) communications skills.
● Ability to manage timelines, budgets, and project scope
● Excellent commercial awareness.
● An eye for detail and right-first-time accuracy.
● A quick learner able to pick up both technical and business concepts quickly and proven delivery under pressure.
● Highly flexible, with the ability to work in environments where documentation may be sparse.

Required Experience

● Senior-level experience as a Solution Architect, Technical Lead, or Principal Engineer with proven track record of developing and delivering quality systems applications.
● Computer science degree or equivalent level qualification.
● Proven experience designing and rebuilding production software systems with the ability to demonstrate end-to-end projects from concept to delivery
● Experience leading small (possibly remote) engineering teams and ensuring projects stay on-budget and on-time
● Ability to translate high-level requirements into executable plans with full understanding and practical experience of the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) and project management methodologies (PRINCE2, Agile, Waterfall).
● Experience with:
○ Proficiency programming in C and C++
○ Desktop application development (Windows & macOS)
○ Web application architecture
○ Cloud infrastructure (AWS and/or Azure)
○ Version control system like Git
● Strong ability to:
○ Assess existing systems and identify weaknesses
○ Communicate complex technical concepts clearly to stakeholders

Strongly Preferred

● Cloud Accreditation (AWS, GCP or Azure Solution Architect) or equivalent experience.
● Experience balancing architecture decisions with commercial realities
● Proficiency programming in C#
● Comfort working with partially defined requirements

Working Model

● Full-time preferred (30–40 hours/week), with flexibility for the right candidate
● Remote role with required overlap with UK working hours (approximately 9:30am–3:00pm UK time) ● Initial project-focused engagement with potential for ongoing support
● Start ASAP, with the goal of defining team and timeline quickly and kicking off delivery in February