Solution Architect reference: 0000021563

## Unleash Your Architectural Prowess: A Deep Dive into the Solution Architect Opportunity at Barclays Are you a seasoned technologist with a passion for crafting robust, innovative solutions that tackle complex business challenges? Barclays presents a compelling opportunity for a Solution Architect to join their dynamic team, driving technological excellence within the financial services sector. This role offers a chance to shape the future of technology at a leading global institution, with a strong emphasis on modern engineering practices and secure, scalable design. ### Why This Role is a Career Catalyst: This Solution Architect position at Barclays offers a multitude of advantages for ambitious professionals looking to elevate their career. * **Impactful Innovation:** You'll be at the forefront of designing and implementing cutting-edge technology solutions, directly contributing to the resolution of critical business problems. This isn't just about maintaining systems; it's about building the future. * **Cloud-Native Expertise:** A significant focus on AWS, containers, Kubernetes, and cloud-native platforms means you'll be honing and applying in-demand skills. This experience is highly valuable in today's technology landscape and will significantly enhance your marketability. * **Financial Sector Specialization:** Deeply engaging with security practices in banking, including encryption and risk mitigation, will provide you with specialized knowledge that is highly sought after. This niche expertise can open doors to further leadership opportunities within the financial industry. * **Collaborative Environment:** You'll work closely with a diverse range of stakeholders, fostering strong communication and collaboration skills. The emphasis on presenting designs effectively will further refine your ability to articulate technical concepts to various audiences. * **Career Progression:** The expectations outlined for Assistant Vice President, whether as a leader or an individual contributor, clearly map out pathways for growth. The emphasis on mentoring, influencing, and strategic thinking signals a commitment to developing talent within the organization. ### Key Considerations for Your Application: To thrive in this role and maximize your career trajectory, here are the crucial elements to consider: * **Technical Foundation:** * **AWS Certification & Experience:** A strong understanding of AWS, evidenced by a Professional or Associate Solution Architect certification and hands-on experience, is non-negotiable. * **Core Technologies:** Demonstrable expertise in Java, containers, Kubernetes, APIs, and Kafka is essential. Familiarity with cloud-native platforms will be a significant asset. * **Security Focus:** A deep understanding of security principles within the banking sector, encompassing encryption, secure data transfer, and risk mitigation, is paramount. * **Communication & Collaboration Prowess:** * **Visual Communication:** Proficiency in tools like Confluence, Draw.io, MS Visio, and PowerPoint for presenting complex designs is expected. * **Stakeholder Management:** The ability to effectively engage with and understand the requirements of diverse stakeholders is critical. * **Strategic & Forward-Thinking Mindset:** * **Risk & Controls:** Your ability to balance technological risks with business delivery, and to embed security principles into your designs, will be a key assessment area. * **Change & Transformation:** Experience or aptitude for navigating change and driving transformation within a large organization will be highly valued. * **Business Acumen:** Understanding how technology solutions align with overarching business objectives is crucial for success. * **Desirable Extras:** * **CI/CD & DevSecOps:** Exposure to CI/CD automation, DevSecOps practices, and GitLab for BPM technologies will further strengthen your profile. * **BPM Tools:** Familiarity with BPM tools such as IBM BPM, Pega, or Camunda can be a significant advantage. * **Geographic Flexibility:** The role is based in Northampton, Knutsford, and Glasgow, so consider your location preferences when applying. This Solution Architect role at Barclays is more than just a job; it's an opportunity to contribute to significant technological advancements within a respected financial institution. By focusing on the outlined requirements and highlighting your relevant experience, you can position yourself as a strong candidate for this exciting career path.