Principle Solution Architect

Drive the design and delivery of Application Solution Architecture that shapes the electricity network of the future, supporting the journey to Net Zero and beyond., * Lead solution architecture for key power system design applications and lead the Digital Twin system and integration strategy.

• Champion the execution of the Enterprise Architecture Strategy and Value Stream work.
• Design and implement digital technologies that optimise electricity network planning for the transmission network across England and Wales, ensuring solutions are secure, cost-effective, and compliant with NGET governance standards.
• Collaborate across teams to integrate systems and data, enabling advanced modelling, simulation, correlation and visualisation., Solution Architecture & Design
• Develop high-level and detailed solution architectures, including High Availability (HA) and Disaster Recovery (DR) strategies for power system applications (e.g., Power Factory).
• Size and set up virtual applications hosted on Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD).
• Maintain comprehensive architectural documentation and diagrams.
• Document key design decisions and present conceptual solutions to stakeholders.

Communication & Stakeholder Engagement

• Explain complex technical concepts in clear, business-friendly language for non-technical stakeholders.
• Translate business needs into technical specifications and architectural artifacts (e.g., HLD, SoP, test plans).

Evaluation & Governance

• Assess and recommend technologies, frameworks, and tools to fit project needs.
• Conduct cost-benefit analyses and feasibility studies for SaaS or cloud solutions.
• Drive solution governance and uphold architecture standards.

Technical Leadership

• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to development teams.
• Gather, analyze, and validate functional and non-functional requirements (performance, scalability, security).
• Identify risks and propose optimized solutions.

Cloud & Data Integration

• Develop cloud adoption strategies, roadmaps, and design patterns.
• Implement Azure PaaS components: Web Apps, Storage, SQL Database, Azure Data Factory (ADF), API Management.
• Integrate Snowflake, Data Fabric, Data Lake, Databricks, and ETL/ELT pipelines.
• Lead migration projects and enterprise system integration.

Ways of Working

• Work in Agile/Kanban environments.
• Adopt DevOps, CI/CD, and GitHub workflows.
• Value Streams and Process Driven Architectures

• An appreciation of power systems engineering and the willingness to learn more about it
• Good understanding of network architectures and components.
• Knowledge of data controls and industry benchmarks.
• Exposure to digital twin solutions and applications such as ArcGIS, Geogrid, SCADA, Plexos, Maximo, PSCAD.
• Familiarity with network design and management products from companies like Aspentech, Siemens, DigSilent, IPS, Cognite.

Pulled from the full job description

• Company pension
• Car scheme, A competitive salary between £70,000 - £87,000 dependent on capability

As well as your base salary, you will receive a bonus of up to 30% of your salary for stretch performance and a competitive contributory pension scheme where we will double match your contribution to a maximum company contribution of 12%. You will also have access to a number of flexible benefits such as a share incentive plan, salary sacrifice car and technology schemes, support via employee assistance lines and matched charity giving to name a few.

In NGET we are passionate about both operating our network safely and providing highly reliable quality of supply for our customers. At the heart of achieving these outcomes is the effective control and operation of our network. To find out more , please follow the link below: https://www.nationalgrid.com/electricity-transmission/ DE & I statement At National Grid, we work towards the highest standards in everything we do, including how we support, value and develop our people. Our aim is to encourage and support employees to thrive and be the best they can be. We celebrate the difference people can bring into our organisation, and welcome and encourage applicants with diverse experiences and backgrounds, and offer flexible and tailored support, at home and in the office. Our goal is to drive, develop and operate our business in a way that results in a more inclusive culture. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, the innovation from diverse teams & perspectives and business need. We are committed to building a workforce so we can represent the communities we serve and have a working environment in which each individual feels valued, respected, fairly treated, and able to reach their full potential. Please note that in most cases, National Grid is unable to offer sponsorship for employment under the UK points-based immigration system. As such, applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK without requiring sponsorship now or in the future under the UK points-based immigration system. However, in exceptional circumstances where there is a clear and demonstrable need for specialist skills that cannot be sourced from the local labour market, National Grid may consider offering sponsorship. All applications are welcome from candidates who meet these requirements, regardless of race, nationality, or ethnic origin.