Solutions Architect

Date: 11 Dec 2025

Location: Gatwick, GB

Company: Civil Aviation Authority

Salary: Up to £70,000 per annum dependent upon experience

Contract Type: Permanent (Full Time) and a 12 Month Fixed Term Contract

Security Level: SC

Visa Restrictions: This position does not offer visa sponsorship

We are the UK's aviation and aerospace regulator and recognised as a world leader in its field. Our activities are diverse, enabling the aviation industry to meet the highest safety standards, and we pride ourselves on our ability to adapt to the constantly evolving aviation environment.

The Role

We are recruiting for two profiles:

• Solutions Architect - Generalist – providing cross-domain architectural leadership across enterprise, business, applications, data, infrastructure, and security.
• Solution Architect - Application Architecture specialisation – focusing on designing modern, scalable application architectures and integration patterns.

As a Solutions Architect, you will translate business and technical requirements into solution designs that address complex problems and deliver measurable outcomes. Your designs will align with organisational strategies, principles, and best practices.

Core Accountabilities

• Design end-to-end architectures or review designs from other architects and suppliers for compliance with standards
• Produce Proof-of-Concepts (PoCs) to validate technology choices and demonstrate feasibility
• Contribute to agile product teams, acting as a technical lead where required, defining work packages, making architecture decisions, and guiding development activities
• Develop and maintain solution designs based on functional and non-functional requirements
• Identify and refine requirements in collaboration with business analysts and stakeholders
• Ensure designs adhere to organisational principles, security standards, and GDS standards
• Produce architecture diagrams using approved EA tooling
• Assure quality of detailed designs from internal teams or third-party suppliers
• Support definition and continuous improvement of architecture standards and processes
• Champion user-centred design principles and accessibility in all solutions
• Manage technical risks and document decisions transparently
• Provide architectural input into procurement and vendor engagement
• Maintain a forward-looking perspective by actively researching emerging technologies, architectural patterns, and industry trends. Evaluate innovative solutions and provide recommendations on their applicability to organisational challenges and opportunities

Additional Expectations for Application Architecture Specialist

• Design application-level architectures, including secure integration patterns and API strategies
• Ensure application designs align with cloud-native principles and modern frameworks
• Apply DevOps practices and CI/CD principles to enable efficient delivery

About You

To be considered for the role you must have:

Essential

• Broad and deep architectural knowledge across multiple domains with ability to draw on specialist expertise when needed
• Experience in both waterfall and agile development environments
• Ability to stay current with emerging technologies relevant to the organisation
• Understanding of organisational architecture principles and alignment of solutions
• Experience with Microsoft technologies including Azure, Entra ID, Power Platform, web technologies, and SQL Server
• Knowledge of DevOps practices and CI/CD concepts
• Strong communication skills to engage inclusively with technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Ability to balance diverse stakeholder needs and identify collaborative solutions
• Experience providing architectural input into procurement and vendor engagement
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, applied in a collaborative and inclusive manner
• Ability to obtain and maintain SC security clearance

Desirable

• Degree in Computer Science, Engineering or related technical field
• TOGAF certification or practical experience
• Experience using EA tools such as iServer
• Understanding of modern programming languages such as C# .NET
• Understanding of developing applications using the Microsoft Application Development stack (e.g., .NET, ASP.NET, Azure services) and modern JavaScript frameworks such as , React, and Angular. Experience with Server-side rendering and hybrid rendering model will be helpful
• Experience with Azure DevOps tools for source control, CI/CD, and backlog management
• Experience working to GDS framework and service standards

Behaviour Expectations

• Demonstrates behaviours aligned with organisational values by being outcome-focused, ethical, collaborative, and adaptable.
• Takes ownership of decisions using evidence-based approaches, delivers value-centred solutions, and prioritises results that support strategic goals.
• Acts with integrity and self-awareness, continuously developing skills and capabilities.
• Builds strong relationships through clear, inclusive communication, knowledge sharing, and constructive feedback, while influencing and negotiating effectively.
• Embraces change with flexible thinking and drives continuous improvement through innovative approaches that enhance productivity and efficiency.

Additional Information

For many appointments within the CAA, these roles require access to operationally sensitive infrastructure and/or Nationally Protected information. For these roles the post holders must undergo National Security Vetting and achieve the appropriate level of clearance.

SC - To be vetted we will usually expect a reasonable period of residency in the UK so that meaningful checks can be undertaken. For this role this will need to be 5 years.

If you do not meet these requirements, we may not be able to accept your application.

For more information on SC clearance please visit - Vetting explained - GOV.UK )

The CAA values high ethical standards and personal integrity among employees. If invited for interview you will be asked to complete a declaration of interest.

Relocation & Property

The CAA will be relocating from Aviation House (Our Gatwick Office) to new premises in a few years' time. Our move is driven by strategic, operational and environmental considerations.

We will be moving to a new local home, up to a 15-mile radius of Aviation House, to minimise disruption for our valued colleagues and customers.

We are now working with colleagues and visitors to understand what we need in our new office, before we start our property search. We will sell Aviation House and land, vacate the site and move to new premises, but we do not expect to move before 2028

Inclusive Recruitment

We are passionate about diversity and ensuring all are included at the CAA. We are an equal opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

As a member of the Disability Confident scheme, applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a role with us will be guaranteed an interview. We use fair and inclusive selection approaches to hire the best person for the job based on merit alone. If you require an adjustment for any reason, please let us know.

Working With Us

We are on a journey towards being increasingly adaptable, where our colleagues collaborate as part of cross-functional teams. This approach ensures we never stop learning together. It also means that you may become involved in activities that take you out of your day-to-day role, providing you with opportunities to develop and grow your career with us.

We have embraced hybrid working and offer flexible working patterns, being open to having a conversation about what works for you. We know where and when we work is important in achieving a work-life balance.

We offer a range of excellent benefits such as flexible working arrangements, free onsite gym at Gatwick, discounted gym membership for London, 28 days annual leave, additional 5 days leave purchase scheme, a generous pension scheme and much more

Our Values

Do The Right Thing, Never Stop Learning, Build Collaborative Relationships, Respect Everyone –

Closing Date: Sunday 11th January 2026

Interview Date: Throughout January 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

No recruitment agencies please.

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