The Software Architect is a pivotal role responsible for designing, maintaining, and improving the architecture of software systems to ensure stability, scalability, and maintainability. Reporting to the Software Delivery Manager, the Software Architect collaborates with Lead Engineers and Lead Software Engineers across multiple teams, driving platform consistency, promoting code reusability, and establishing best practices for development. Additionally, the Software Architect will champion DevOps practices, lead automation initiatives, and ensure the security and robustness of the cloud architecture.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field.
• Strong expertise in software design and architecture, with a deep understanding of design patterns, system design, and architectural principles.
• Experience with modern development frameworks, tools, and technologies, including cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP).
• Advanced knowledge of DevOps practices, including CI/CD pipelines, automation tools, and monitoring systems.
• Proficiency in containerization and orchestration technologies (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes).
• Solid understanding of microservices architecture, API design, and system integrations.
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to address complex technical challenges.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, capable of working effectively with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.
• Proficiency in mentoring and knowledge sharing, fostering professional development within teams.
• In-depth knowledge of security standards and practices for cloud architecture.
• Experience in technical documentation, including architectural diagrams and decision records.

Key Responsibilities and Competencies required for the Role include but are not limited to as outlined below, will be required to fulfil other duties as required to meet the needs of the company, and any other company within its portfolio:

Architectural Leadership

• Define and maintain the overarching software architecture and technical strategy, ensuring alignment with business goals and project roadmaps.
• Establish and promote design principles, patterns, and standards to ensure a stable and reusable codebase.
• Collaborate with Lead Engineers to ensure architectural consistency across teams and projects.
• Conduct regular reviews of code, system designs, and technical implementations to maintain quality and adherence to architecture.
Evaluate and recommend tools, frameworks, and technologies to improve platform performance and developer productivity.

Platform Stability and Scalability

• Ensure the architecture supports scalability, performance, and reliability requirements.
• Lead efforts to address technical debt and ensure long-term maintainability of the codebase.
• Proactively identify risks to the platform's stability and work with teams to mitigate them.
• Collaborate with operations teams to ensure smooth deployment processes and robust infrastructure support.
• DevOps and Automation Leadership
• Champion and lead the adoption of DevOps practices to streamline software development, testing, and deployment.
• Design and implement CI/CD pipelines to enable fast and reliable delivery of software solutions.
• Drive automation initiatives across development and operational workflows, enhancing team efficiency and reducing manual effort.
Work closely with teams to integrate testing and monitoring tools into the development lifecycle.

Cloud Architecture and Security

• Ensure the security, robustness, and scalability of cloud-based systems and architectures.
• Lead the design and maintenance of secure cloud infrastructure, adhering to industry best practices and compliance standards.
• Implement strategies to monitor and protect systems from vulnerabilities and threats.
Collaborate with outsourced security testing teams to ensure compliance and address findings effectively.

Code Reusability and Optimization

• Drive initiatives to promote code reusability and modular design, reducing duplication across projects.
• Work with teams to identify common functionalities and design shared libraries, APIs, and services.
Define best practices for version control, branching strategies, and release management to support code reuse.

Cross-Team Collaboration

• Act as a technical advisor to Lead Engineers and project teams, providing guidance on design, implementation, and troubleshooting.
• Facilitate cross-team knowledge sharing through documentation, workshops, and mentoring.
• Support the Software Delivery Manager in aligning technical execution with strategic goals.
Collaborate with stakeholders, to ensure architectural decisions meet functional and non-functional requirements.

Continuous Improvement

• Stay current with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices, integrating them into the architectural vision where appropriate.
• Lead retrospectives and post-mortems related to system performance, architecture, or significant incidents, driving lessons learned into actionable improvements.
• Foster a culture of innovation and technical excellence within the engineering teams.
Proactively seek out AI optimisations

Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) Responsibilities

• Report incidents, hazards, or unsafe conditions to the appropriate party immediately.
• Participate in relevant HSE meetings and toolbox talks as required.
• Perform work responsibly, adhering to environmental, social, and economic considerations.
• Ensure compliance with Company Health, Safety, Environmental, and Quality policies.
• Show flexibility and readiness to contribute to different projects as assigned.