NRS is continuing an exciting digital transformation, embracing modern technologies such as Microsoft Azure, M365, the Power Platform and a wide range of SaaS solutions to evolve how the organisation works. As the digital landscape grows, so does the need for a strong and scalable solution architecture that supports smarter, more efficient ways of working across the business. 

As a Senior Solution Architect, you’ll play a central role in shaping this journey, guiding the design of future‑ready solutions that enable teams to maximise the value of modern technology. The role calls for someone who can blend strategic thinking with deep technical expertise, communicating complex architectural decisions clearly to stakeholders, senior leaders and the Cyber Security & Information Assurance (CS&IA) team. It’s an opportunity to influence major technology choices and help drive meaningful, organisation‑wide change. 

What will you be doing 

The role focuses on shaping and developing solution designs that fit seamlessly within the wider Solution Architecture landscape, ensuring they are successfully delivered through NRS IT programmes and projects. This includes creating high‑level solution architectures for medium‑to‑high‑complexity initiatives, producing solution option analyses and impact assessments, and defining architecture principles and standards that guide the design and implementation of IT solutions. You’ll also work closely with Cyber Security & Information Assurance stakeholders to scope IT Health Checks and Authority to Operate requirements, ensuring solutions are secure, compliant and aligned with organisational expectations. 

In addition, you’ll play a key role in overseeing solution implementation, whether delivered by vendors, partners or internal teams, ensuring architecture standards are consistently applied. The role requires producing clear and comprehensive architecture documentation, supporting commercial and procurement activities with technical leadership, and contributing to wider NDA group efforts to develop shared solution architecture patterns and standards across operating companies. 

Who are we looking for 

To be successful in this role, it is essential that you bring strong, hands‑on experience designing complex solutions on Microsoft Azure, covering compute, storage, network services, directory services such as Entra ID, database technologies, data lake architecture and security services. You must also have practical experience designing and managing Microsoft services in large organisations of 2,000+ employees, such as Intune, Purview or Defender, along with a proven track record of producing solution designs, developing solution options and overseeing their implementation. Experience participating in procurement exercises and vendor or supplier engagement (ideally within the public sector) is required. You must hold and maintain the Microsoft Certified Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification, as well as at least one additional qualification such as Azure Data Fundamentals, Azure Security Fundamentals or Azure AI Fundamentals. Project management training or certification is also essential. The role demands strong leadership and business skills combined with deep, comprehensive technical expertise. 

It would be advantageous if you bring experience designing or managing Microsoft Power Platform services and M365, supported by relevant Microsoft certifications in either area. Additional security‑focused qualifications such as CompTIA Security+, CompTIA CySA, SABSA or NIST are also desirable, as well as any vendor‑specific training or certifications, for example Cisco, Databricks, MuleSoft or Oracle.