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# Mainframe Solutions Architect - Contract

- **Company:** Leighton
- **Location:** Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom (Remote available)
- **Experience:** Expert
- **Salary:** £68,465
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** Java (Programming Language), Amazon Web Services, Data Analysis, Mainframes, Cloud Services, Migration Manager, Software Engineering, Software Licensing, Enterprise Software Applications, Multi-Cloud, HybridCloud, Code Restructuring
- **Published:** November 12, 2026
- **Apply:** https://www.adzuna.co.uk/jobs/details/5962877887

## About the Role

* Extensive experience in Java software engineering and enterprise application architecture.
 * Delivery of large-scale legacy modernisation initiatives, including replatforming, refactoring, or cloud migration programmes.
 * Strong AWS expertise, covering migration planning, architecture design, target-state definition, and cloud service selection.
 * Experience working with complex legacy technology estates and long-lived application portfolios.
 * Knowledge of software licensing, commercial modelling, and cost optimisation considerations within transformation programmes.
 * The ability to challenge assumptions, provide independent architectural guidance, and communicate effectively with senior business and technical stakeholders.
 * Experience operating within multi-cloud and hybrid-cloud environments.

 * An open and genuine communicator
 * Able to take responsibility for your actions
 * Always learning and wanting to improve
 * Takes responsibility for own development
 * Love what you do
 * Value and support your team
 * Embrace who you are
 * Open minded and willing to explore new ideas

## Description

This opportunity is ideally suited to a senior Java/Mainframe Solutions Architect with deep experience in large-scale application transformation, legacy estate modernisation, and cloud migration programmes. Candidates should have a proven track record of guiding organisations through complex transitions from traditional platforms to modern cloud-native environments.

The assignment focuses on providing independent architectural oversight, technical assurance, and strategic direction throughout the migration of legacy business-critical applications into AWS-hosted solutions. The successful consultant will be expected to draw upon previous experience delivering comparable transformation initiatives and confidently engage with both technical and executive stakeholders.

Responsibilities:

 * Assessing proposed modernisation and migration approaches to ensure they are practical, proven, and aligned with long-term architecture objectives.
 * Reviewing cloud adoption strategies, application designs, and technology selections to validate suitability against operational, security, resilience, compliance, and business requirements.
 * Highlighting architectural risks, dependencies, constraints, and design trade-offs, while recommending viable alternative approaches where appropriate.
 * Evaluating commercial considerations associated with migration programmes, including software licensing, platform costs, tooling options, and third-party services.
 * Producing recommendations, architecture assessments, and governance artefacts to support programme decision-making and investment cases.
 * Analysing legacy application landscapes operating across hybrid and multi-cloud environments.
 * Advising on application remediation, refactoring, and modernisation strategies for established Java-based platforms.