Role overview

As we continue to experience an exciting period of growth in the UK, we are looking for an exceptional Solution Architect to play a pivotal role in the design and delivery of technology solutions that will shape the future of Transport for London's revenue collection systems, including Oyster and Contactless.

It is a unique opportunity to define and govern complex technical solutions across one of the UK's most critical transport technology environments, ensuring that business requirements, architectural principles, operational considerations, and delivery objectives are brought together within a coherent and deliverable solution design.

The Solution Architect provides technical leadership throughout the solution lifecycle, from initial requirements and architectural assessment through to design approval, implementation support, and operational transition. The role ensures that solutions are robust, supportable, secure, and aligned with TfL's architectural standards and strategic objectives.

Working across organisational, supplier, engineering, and technical boundaries, the Solution Architect translates complex business and technical requirements into practical solution designs, resolves architectural challenges, and provides assurance that solutions remain aligned with approved designs throughout delivery.

In addition to delivering solution architecture for individual programmes and technical changes, the Solution Architect plays a key role in establishing and maturing the Enterprise architecture practice, developing strategic architecture artefacts including system context diagrams, component maps, integration models, and end-to-end data flows that provide a holistic view of TfL's revenue collection ecosystem.

Key duties include:

• Develop end-to-end solution architectures for complex enhancements and technical changes across TfL's Revenue Collection System, including Oyster and Contactless platforms.
• Produce high-quality architecture deliverables, including solution designs, high-level designs (HLDs), detailed designs (LLDs), interface specifications, and architecture decision records.
• Create and maintain architecture diagrams and models using industry-standard tools and methodologies.
• Ensure all solution designs align with TfL business objectives, contractual requirements, enterprise architecture principles, and technology standards.
• Work closely with TfL architects, technical specialists, and business stakeholders to define solution requirements and agree architectural approaches.
• Lead architecture workshops and technical design sessions to develop robust and supportable solutions.
• Present solution architectures, design proposals, and technical recommendations to TfL Technical Authority and other governance forums for approval.
• Provide architectural leadership throughout the solution lifecycle, from requirements definition through to implementation and operational handover.
• Collaborate with engineering, testing, infrastructure, cybersecurity, service management, and delivery teams to ensure solutions are implemented in accordance with approved designs.
• Support technical investigations, root cause analysis, and solution development for complex operational and delivery challenges.
• Identify and manage technical risks, assumptions, constraints, dependencies, and architectural issues throughout programme delivery.
• Ensure solution designs consider security, resilience, performance, supportability, scalability, and operational readiness requirements.
• Provide technical assurance and design oversight during delivery, validating that implemented solutions remain aligned with approved architecture.
• Evaluate new technologies, products, and integration approaches and provide recommendations regarding their suitability within the TfL environment.
• Develop and maintain strategic architecture artefacts, including system context diagrams, system component maps, integration maps, application landscapes, and end-to-end system data flows.
• Establish and maintain architecture standards, design patterns, reference architectures, and governance processes to develop Enterprise Architecture capabilities.
• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of the architecture practice, tools, methodologies, templates, and ways of working.
• Support knowledge transfer activities and ensure architecture documentation remains accurate, complete, and maintained throughout the service lifecycle.
• Act as a trusted technical advisor to programme leadership, delivery teams, and stakeholders on architecture-related matters.
• Promote effective collaboration between Indra, TfL suppliers, and engineering teams to ensure successful delivery of complex technical solutions.
• Ensure architecture practice, standards, and governance framework are successfully established and adopted.

Required Skills and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related discipline (or equivalent experience).
• Significant experience delivering solution architecture for complex, large-scale technology platforms and business-critical systems.
• Proven experience producing high-quality architecture artefacts, including solution designs, architecture diagrams, interface specifications, and technical design documentation.
• Strong understanding of enterprise architecture principles, solution architecture methodologies, and architectural governance frameworks.
• Experience designing complex system integrations across applications, infrastructure, networks, cloud services, and third-party platforms.
• Experience working within highly available, business-critical, and operationally sensitive environments.
• Strong understanding of software development lifecycles, DevOps practices, and modern engineering delivery methodologies.
• Experience working in complex multi-supplier environments, coordinating architectural activities across several delivery partners.
• Ability to translate business requirements and technical constraints into practical, supportable, and deliverable solutions.
• Experience presenting solution designs and technical recommendations to architecture review boards, governance forums, and senior stakeholders.
• Strong understanding of security, resilience, scalability, performance, supportability, and operational readiness considerations.
• Experience producing architecture deliverables using industry-standard architecture modelling and documentation tools.
• Strong knowledge of systems integration patterns, APIs, messaging technologies, and data exchange mechanisms.
• Experience supporting technical delivery teams throughout implementation, testing, deployment, and operational transition.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage effectively with business, engineering, operational, and supplier organisations.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify risks, dependencies, and architectural impacts across complex systems.
• Experience maintaining strategic architecture artefacts, including system context diagrams, component maps, integration landscapes, and end-to-end data flows.
• Experience contributing to the development of architecture standards, design patterns, governance processes, and architecture best practices.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with both highly technical teams and executive stakeholders.
• Experience within transport, payments, ticketing, revenue collection, or other highly regulated environments would be advantageous.
• Brings clarity and structure to complex technical and organisational challenges.
• Demonstrates sound technical judgement and pragmatic decision-making.