Principle Solution Architect

At National Grid, we light up the world by harnessing the unique strengths of our people. Join us as a Solution Architect Network Design to be part of a team that's driving forward the energy transition, creating a brighter, more sustainable future for all. Unleash your superpower and bring energy to life.

National Grid is hiring a Solution Architect Network Design - This position is based from our Warwick office however we offer flexible hybrid working options.

Job Purpose

This role sits at the forefront of energy transition in the UK, offering a unique opportunity to design, shape and modernise the digital future of power systems and network design through the use of cutting-edge technology.

Working at the intersection of Power Systems engineering, cloud technology, data science and AI you will provide the capability to help unlock deep operational insights that improve engineering designs and accelerate decision-making. Enabling the transition to a smarter and more sustainable energy network of the future.

If you are a passionate problem solver who embraces complex challenges this is an outstanding opportunity to make a transformational impact on an industry essential to modern life.

What You'll Do

• Lead the design of a sophisticated Digital Twin of the electricity transmission network creating a living, data-driven representation of critical grid network infrastructure.
• Design digital solutions that optimise electricity network planning for the transmission network across England and Wales, ensuring solutions are secure, cost-effective, resilient, maintainable and compliant with governance standards.
• Develop target and transition state architectures for key network design capabilities providing a technical vision and guidance to product development teams.
• Create architecture roadmaps aligned with Enterprise Architecture strategy, regulatory requirements and business goals.
• Provide technical leadership across multiple programmes and projects.
• Lead the development of business capability models and value streams.

• Develop solution designs that resolve complex business problems.
• Guide, review and assure architectural designs within product teams.
• Contribute to Solution Design Authority (SDA) review meetings.
• Document key design decisions and present conceptual solutions to stakeholders.

• Work with stakeholders to understand strategic objectives and translate them into technology solutions.
• Facilitate architecture workshops and design reviews.
• Explain complex technical concepts in clear, business-friendly language for non-technical stakeholders.
• Negotiate with stakeholders to influence investment decisions through the clear articulation of the business value of solutions.
• Technology evaluation and vendor assessment.
• Build strong relationships with internal teams, and external partners, suppliers and vendors.

• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to product development teams.
• Gather, analyse, and validate functional and non-functional requirements (performance, scalability, security).
• Identify and manage technical risks and issues.

• Experience designing and delivering enterprise-scale technology solutions.
• Proven track record as a Solution Architect.
• Strong understanding of architecture frameworks such as TOGAF and Zachman.
• Deep understanding of integration patterns and API-based architectures.
• Proven experience working within Azure.
• Strong understanding of security architecture principles.
• Experience working in highly regulated environments.
• Exceptional stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.

• An appreciation of power systems engineering or the willingness to learn more about it
• Good understanding of network architectures and components.
• Knowledge of data best practice - including knowledge of data fabrics, data governance and, emerging trends and concepts.
• Exposure to digital twin solutions and applications such as ESRI ArcGIS, SCADA, Plexos, IBM Maximo, PSCAD.
• Familiarity with network design and management products from companies like AspenTech, Siemens, DIgSILENT, IPS, Cognite.
• Experience in designing AI based solutions using LLMs and FMs for Gen AI and Agentic AI.

• Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mathematics or related technical discipline or experience.
• TOGAF Certification.
• Azure Solutions Architect Certification.
• SAFe Architect Certification.

A competitive salary between £70,000 – £87,000 dependent on capability

As well as your base salary, you will receive

• 26 days holiday, plus eight statutory days, an option to buy extra holiday days, and the option to holiday swap up to 3 bank holiday days
• An annual performance incentive
• A generous pension scheme, double matched up to 6% of your salary each month. For every £1 you contribute we’ll put in another £2, so if you put in 6%, we’ll add 12% giving a total of 18% to your pension pot
• Life insurance at 10 times basic salary
• Employer funding towards a portion of your Private Medical Insurance.
• 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.

The closing date for this vacancy is 23rd Septmeber. However, we encourage candidates to submit their applications as early as possible and not to wait until the published closing date. National Grid’s recruitment periods can and may vary. We reserve the right to remove this advert or close it to further applications at any point during the recruitment process.

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 about us, 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.