Solution Architect- London, Leeds or Edinburgh

FDM is a global business and technology consultancy seeking a Solution Architect to work for our client within the government / financial services / regulatory sector. This is a 24‑month contract with strong prospects for extension and will be a hybrid role based in London, Leeds or Edinburgh.

Our client is seeking an experienced Solution Architect to design end‑to‑end business and technical solutions for complex change programmes. This includes ensuring problems are properly framed, shaping viable solution options, leading architectural decisions, and working closely with senior stakeholders. This role will support major programmes across a highly regulated environment, delivering architecture that meets organisational, legislative, and strategic goals.

• Define business problems and desired outcomes, ensuring solutions meet organisational, regulatory, and strategic requirements.
• Design, document, and govern solution architectures that align with enterprise standards, patterns, and constraints.
• Lead architectural decision‑making for high‑risk or high‑complexity initiatives and ensure risks are managed transparently.
• Collaborate with delivery teams, technical SMEs, suppliers, and partners to create viable delivery strategies, roadmaps, and transition states.
• Stay current with industry and technology trends, advising the organisation on opportunities, emerging risks, and changes in best practice.

• Minimum 5+ years’ experience working as a Solution Architect within financial services, government, public sector, or other regulated industries.
• Strong experience designing solutions for large‑scale programmes (£5M+), including end‑to‑end architectural oversight across the delivery lifecycle.
• Proficient with major architectural methodologies and frameworks (e.g., TOGAF, Zachman, SAFe Architecture, government digital/data frameworks).
• Hands‑on experience with architecture tools and modelling techniques (e.g., ArchiMate, Sparx EA, Bizzdesign, Orbus iServer).
• Strong understanding of modern technology stacks including cloud (AWS/Azure/GCP), microservices, APIs, n‑tier applications, integration patterns, and data platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to operate within governance frameworks, ensure compliance with standards, and manage architectural risk.
• Proven stakeholder engagement and communication skills, able to articulate complex solutions to both technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Experience working with third‑party suppliers, delivery partners, or offshore teams, using methodologies such as Agile, Scrum, RUP, Prince2.
• Commercial awareness with the ability to evaluate supplier proposals and promote cost‑effective, scalable solutions.
• A collaborative, influential, and flexible approach with strong critical‑thinking and problem‑solving skills.