Technical Architect

Technical ArchitectEdTech SaaS | Cloud | AISix-Figure Salary + Pension + Health CoverTechnology is changing quickly. For this organisation, the opportunity is to help shape what comes next.Our client is an established EdTech SaaS business using technology to transform the assessment experience for organisations and their customers. With a modernisation programme underway and significant opportunities to unlock the potential of data and AI, they're now looking for a Technical Architect to take ownership of the technical direction of the platform.This isn't an architecture role where you'll sit on the sidelines producing diagrams.You'll be highly hands-on, working closely with engineering and product teams to define the target architecture, make important technical decisions, solve complex problems and ensure the platform continues to scale.You'll have genuine ownership and the opportunity to influence the technology strategy at a senior level.If you're an experienced architect, or a Principal/Lead Engineer ready to step into a broader architectural role, this is an opportunity to have a meaningful impact on a platform undergoing significant transformation.What You'll Be DoingDefining the Technical DirectionYou'll own and evolve the target architecture, ensuring technical decisions support the wider product and business strategy. You'll establish architectural principles, standards and patterns while helping shape the longer-term technology roadmap.Leading Platform ModernisationA major part of the role will involve supporting the transition from a legacy platform to a modern architecture. You'll help determine how the platform evolves while balancing technical debt, delivery speed, scalability and long-term sustainability.Solving Complex Technical ChallengesYou'll act as a senior technical escalation point, getting involved where problems require deep architectural thinking. You'll review implementations, challenge technical decisions and help engineering teams navigate complex design trade-offs.Building for Scale, Resilience & SecurityYou'll lead architectural decisions around performance, availability, scalability, resilience, disaster recovery and security, ensuring the platform remains robust as the business grows.Shaping Cloud & Infrastructure ArchitectureYou'll influence cloud architecture, infrastructure design, deployment patterns, CI/CD, observability and automation. The environment includes AWS, Docker, distributed systems, microservices and event-driven architecture.Driving AI ArchitectureAI is becoming an increasingly important part of the product and engineering strategy. You'll help define how AI/ML capabilities are embedded into the platform while establishing appropriate standards around AI-assisted development, testing, privacy, monitoring, model performance and cost.Providing Technical LeadershipYou'll work across distributed engineering teams, mentoring engineers and technical leads and providing architectural guidance. You'll also communicate technical strategy clearly to product, project management and senior stakeholders.What You'll BringStrong Architecture ExperienceYou'll have approximately 8–10 years of software engineering experience, including significant experience working in architectural roles. A strong SaaS or cloud-native background will be highly relevant.Distributed Systems & Cloud ExpertiseYou'll have deep experience with modern software architecture, distributed systems, APIs, scalability and cloud platforms. AWS experience is particularly relevant.Hands-On Technical CredibilityThis is a hands-on role. You'll be comfortable getting into the detail, reviewing implementations, assessing technical designs and helping solve difficult engineering problems rather than simply setting direction from a distance.Strategic ThinkingYou can look beyond the immediate technical problem and understand the wider implications of architectural decisions. You'll be able to balance the ideal technical solution with commercial realities, delivery timelines and product priorities.High OwnershipYou're comfortable operating autonomously and taking responsibility for major technical decisions. You'll be someone who can walk into a complex situation, understand what needs to happen and drive it forward without requiring constant direction.Leadership & InfluenceYou don't need to rely on hierarchy to have influence. You'll be confident challenging ideas, bringing engineering teams with you and communicating architectural decisions to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.AI & Modern EngineeringYou'll have a genuine interest in AI and modern software development, with the ability to help engineering teams use AI-assisted development tools safely and effectively.What You'll GetJoin a Growing EdTech SaaS BusinessYou'll join a technology-led organisation operating in the EdTech space, with the opportunity to influence the architecture behind a platform used to deliver modern assessment experiences.Competitive RewardsSix-figure base salaryPensionHealth coverFlexible workingWork on Meaningful TechnologyYou'll have the opportunity to work across cloud, data, infrastructure, distributed systems and AI while helping shape the next generation of the platform.Real Technical OwnershipYou'll have significant ownership over architectural decisions and direct exposure to senior leadership, engineering and product teams.Flexible WorkingThe organisation operates a flexible working model, giving you autonomy while maintaining strong collaboration across the wider team.