Solutions Architect - Banking at Softwire, London Area, £650-£1,000 per day

Data Architect - Banking - Outside IR35 - Contract - SC Essential

Softwire is seeking experienced Solution Architects to join a strategic multi-year programme at a major bank. This is a senior, delivery-focused role operating across the Enterprise Data Platform (EDP), Data Analytics Platform (DAP), and BEEDS / Fraud & Business Data (FBD) workstreams.

You will own end-to-end solution design, spanning application, data, integration, infrastructure, and security architecture within one of the UK's most highly governed and operationally critical technology environments. You will be expected to run your own workstreams, contribute to cross-programme governance, and produce the artefacts the Bank's Architecture Review Boards require.

What You'll Be Doing

Across one or more of the EDP, DAP, and BEEDS/FBD workstreams, your responsibilities will include:

• Producing end-to-end solution designs across application, data, integration, infrastructure, and security layers
• Designing and documenting Azure cloud architectures (or equivalent), including hybrid integration, identity, and secure connectivity
• Applying modern integration patterns: API-led, event-driven, and service-based architectures
• Authoring High-Level Designs (HLDs), Architecture Decision Records (ADRs), options assessments, and supporting documentation
• Presenting solution designs and recommendations at Architecture Review Boards, defending choices under scrutiny from senior technical and business stakeholders
• Leading workstreams autonomously and managing concurrent delivery across multiple programmes
• Contributing to cross-programme architecture governance and consistency
• Supporting knowledge transfer and capability uplift of permanent Bank staff

Core Technical Requirements

Candidates must be able to demonstrate strong capability across the following:

Technical Skills

• Azure cloud architecture (or equivalent)
• Hybrid integration design
• Identity & access management
• Secure connectivity architecture
• API-led integration patterns
• Event-driven architecture
• Service-based / microservices design
• HLD & ADR authoring

£650-1,000 per day outside IR35

Start date: 01/06/2026

End date: 6-month-long contract, likely extension

About Softwire

Softwire is a leading UK technology and strategy consultancy. From enterprise to government, we help visionary organisations turn strategic ambitions into results at scale. Our practices cover AI transformation, data platforms, systems engineering, advanced CX and experience design.