Principal, Solution Architect - Systems

Requisition ID 36973 Office Country United Kingdom Office City London Division Information Technology   Contract Type Fixed Term  Contract Length 2 years  Posting End Date 12/10/2026  Purpose of Job The Principal, Solution Architect is responsible for designing end to end solutions that solve the business's problem and supports the Technical Architect with its implementation. The Principal plays a critical role in proactively leading activities that guide the development of a portfolio of solutions – including projects, products, systems (applications, technologies, processes and information), shared infrastructure and application services.  The Principal ensures technology solutions align with business objectives, value streams, architectural standards and help to shape future-state architectures that drive strategic business outcomes. Guided by the Bank’s core values - putting users first, delivering elegant and reliable technology, being innovative, inquisitive and business-aware – the Principal plays a key role in ensuring that architecture is not only technically robust, but integral to the Bank’s long-term success.  Accountabilities & Responsibilities Interpret and translate complex business and technical requirements into coherent architectural blueprints that achieve strategic business outcomes. Document solution architecture design and analysis work, ensuring alignment with both current needs and long-term objectives. Work closely with product owners and product managers to maintain a robust architectural runway that supports future product evolution. Collaborate with Technical Architects to transform high-level solutions into actionable, implementable designs and support delivery teams in understanding architectural intent throughout the product lifecycle.  Lead the evaluation and ongoing development of future-state technology architecture by monitoring the current solution portfolio, identifying technical debt, legacy risks, and misalignment with business requirements. Analyse global and enterprise-wide trends—technological, economic, social, environmental, regulatory—and apply strategic insight to guide innovation, drive technology refreshes, and support the sustainable evolution of services and systems. Evaluate solution options, vendors, and platforms using tools such as cost/benefit analysis, proof of concepts, and RFP support, ensuring total cost of ownership (TCO) and fit-for-purpose design.  Define, lead, and govern the implementation of solution architectures across business applications and technology domains. Develop long-term roadmaps and provide architecture guidance at both the enterprise and delivery levels to ensure solutions align with business capabilities, value streams, and strategic direction. Deliver enterprise-level designs and architectural artefacts (e.g. solution documents, reference models, scorecards), and provide expert consulting to…