Job Description
Solution Architect Principal
Req ID:  57728
Posting Start Date:  17/04/2026
Job Function:  Security
Division:  UK Business
Job Location:  GBR Cheltenham - Project Offic, GBR Ipswich - Adastral Hub, GBR London - Monument TE, GBR-Manchester-Deansgate
Advertised Salary:  Competitve

Job Req ID: 57728

Posting Date: 17th April 2026

Function: Security 

Location: London, Manchester, Ipswich and Cheltenham 

Salary: Competitive with great benefits

 

Due to the sensitive nature of this role, you will be required to undergo DV (Developed Vetting) level Security Clearance (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels). An allowance of £5k per annum may be payable monthly while you hold this DV and continue to work in a role that requires that level of security clearance. The terms of this allowance will be made available if you are successful in being recruited into this role.

 

Security isn’t always the first thing that comes to mind when you think of BT, but when it comes to keeping everyone safely connected, We Are The Protectors. We deal with thousands of cyber-attacks every day, so that millions of people can safely go about their daily lives and run their businesses.   We deliver vital work at scale, with real breadth and impact. We connect for good.
You'll be joining a specialist security team that is a trusted partner to governments worldwide, protecting critical national infrastructure and committed to the safety and security of our nation and global communities. Our mission focused work is innovative, inspiring and technologically challenging in a way that makes every day different and stimulating. We provide the opportunity to work on rare projects, with exciting tools and brilliant people. Everyone has access to unparalleled professional and personal development opportunities and your contribution is always valued.

About the role

The Solution Architect Principal leads the design and delivery of end-to-end technical solutions within GSS Engineering domain, ensuring that customer requirements are successfully and effectively delivered by a first class technical professional services team and NPS, mission impact and customer intimacy are maintained to the highest level, whilst ensuring alignment to the GSS technical strategy and reuse principles.  

This job role can be based in London, Ipswich, Cheltenham or Manchester, Monday-Friday 37.5 hours per week. You will need to be eligible to obtain DV Security Clearance before starting this role. You will need to have lived in the UK for 10+ years to be eligible.

What you’ll be doing

  • Operates as an SME within own field of expertise, leading the design of technical and repeatable solutions that achieve customer requirements driving positive outcomes  
  • Leads partnerships with business and operational stakeholders to conduct business and technical discovery, as well as collaborating closely with stakeholders in order to understand business, operating models, functional requirements as well as client challenges/obstacles  
  • Establishes robust recommendations, proposals and scope of work documents for group engagements while also identifying critical dependencies and gaps  
  • Leads the creation of innovative and repeatable solution architectures to resolve the most complex solution architecture problems and meet agreed requirements  
  • Influences business stakeholders’ understanding of capabilities and the transformative power of group products, services and technology  
  • Enhances the solution architect team’s knowledge, methodologies and customer-facing collateral
  • Ensures alignment with Enterprise Architecture guardrails and solution patterns  
  • Contributes deep, technical thought leadership and provides advice on multiple technologies, setting the long-term technical direction of solution architecture  
  • Leads complex, group-level initiatives from a solution architecture perspective that are a part of the company's overall commercial strategy  
  • Leads the implementation of continuous improvement opportunities to improve solution architect processes  
  • Mentors and coaches experienced professionals to develop current and future team capabilities and ensure performance  
  • Leads the development of the conceptualization of innovative services or products within solution architecture  
  • Act as the primary technical expert on architecture governance and design authority for development of products and services in line with the published roadmap 

Essential Skills / Experience

  • Solution Architecture: Develops solutions which fit within the enterprise architecture in terms of information architecture, system portfolios and integration requirements.  
  • Solution Design: Designs the essential core building block's that make up a technical solution.
  • Product Road mapping: Maps out the vision and strategic objectives for a product in a visual way, making it easier for development teams to share and collaborate.
  • IT Infrastructure: Plans, designs, delivers and controls information technology infrastructure.
  • Infrastructure Architecture/Design: Ensures the technical systems and infrastructure are architected and designed to support business requirements.
  • Change Management: Manages changes and developments within teams and the wider organisation.
  • Configuration Management: Establishes and maintains consistency of a product's performance, functional, and physical attributes with its requirements, design, and operational information throughout its life.
  • Agile Methodologies: Manages projects by dividing tasks into short phases of work (known as sprints) and frequently reassess and adapt plans.
  • Proposal Development: Develops a compelling proposal including an assessment of competitive positioning and identifying steps to be taken.
  • Strategic Planning: Defines the programmes strategy, or direction, and makes decisions on allocating its resources to pursue this strategy.
  • Vendor Management: Creates, monitors and cultivates relationships with vendors to ensure business objectives are achieved.
  • Business Analysis: Analyses current business state within the context of future expectations, determines whether new business strategies are needed to address existing issues or meet new needs and estimates the level of effort to enhance or expand current business strategies
  • Regulatory Compliance: Develops, implements, and enforces compliance to activities which ensure the organisation meets legislative and regulatory requirements.
  • Deep understanding of the role of technology provider into the community (customer base)
  • Maintains DV+ clearance
  • Extensive experience leading end to end software/platforms/systems engineering teams
  • Leading innovative and technically complex programme of work in a professional services environment where research and development is at the core of the projects. 

Desirable Skills / Experience

  • Member of a professional body desirable e.g. BCS / IET / qualified CEng.

Our Package

Tailored benefits make a real difference. That’s why we offer a comprehensive range to support your growth, wellbeing, and everyday life. You can design the package to suit you and your lifestyle. Your core benefits include:Company car scheme (or cash alternative)

  • 15% on target annual bonus
  • Private healthcare for you and your family
  • Access to an online private GP 24/7 for you and your immediate family
  • Market-leading paid carers leave with up to 2 weeks off
  • Equalised maternity, paternity, and adoption leave – 18 weeks’ full pay and 8 weeks’ half pay
  • Discounted EE and BT products, including mobile and broadband
  • Market leading Pension scheme – 5% from you and 10% from us
  • Holiday purchase scheme
  • You can select additional benefits, including healthcare, dental, gym memberships and more when you’re ready.

Security is one of the fastest growing parts of our global organisation. We are protecting our networks from more than 6,500 cyber attacks each day, investing over £40m in research each year - and in employing nearly 3,000 people, we’re also the largest private cyber employer in the UK.  With incredible opportunities to learn, develop and grow your skills, we’ll invest in you, nurture your potential and shape your future – whatever your background or experience. 
 
In today’s world, safe and secure digital connections have never been more vital. You’ll be joining a global company operating at the forefront of the information age: BT employs 90,000 people in 180 countries. With huge scale, we’re capable of achieving great things, striving to be personal, simple, and brilliant for our customers whilst creating an inclusive working environment where people from all backgrounds can succeed. Play your part. Make a difference. We are the Protectors.

 

A FEW POINTS TO NOTE:

Although these roles are listed as full-time, if you’re a job share partnership, work reduced hours, or any other way of working flexibly, please still get in touch.

We will also offer reasonable adjustments for the selection process if required, so please do not hesitate to inform us.

DON'T MEET EVERY SINGLE REQUIREMENT?

Studies have shown that women and people who are disabled, LGBTQ+, neurodiverse or from ethnic minority backgrounds are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification and criteria. We're committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace where everyone can be their best, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every requirement on the Job Description, please apply anyway - you may just be the right candidate for this or other roles in our wider team.