Solution Architect Associate

Title: Solution Architect Associate

Location: UK-Southampton, UK-London-London

Department: IT Strategy & Architecture

Job Description:

We’re Kingfisher, A team made up of over 74,000 passionate people who bring Kingfisher - and all our other brands: B&Q, Screwfix, Brico Depot, Castorama and Koctas to life. Guided by our purpose Better Homes. Better Lives. For Everyone. We believe a better world starts with better homes, and we work every day to make that a reality. Join us and help shape the future of home improvement.

 

As a Solution Architect Associate you will support the definition and documentation of solutions for our brands across Europe. Working under the guidance of a Lead Solution Architect, you will help translate business needs into clear solution designs, develop your architecture capability, and contribute to the consistent application of standards and patterns.

Please note that this role will be based out of our Kingfisher Southampton office or the Kingfisher Head Office in Paddington with an expectation of 12 days a month in the office. 

What's the job?

• Support the Lead Solution Architect in developing and maintaining solution designs, documentation, and architectural views.
• Collaborate in workshops with business and technical stakeholders to shape requirements, options, and trade‑offs.
• Analyse existing systems to identify opportunities to simplify, standardise, and improve solution quality.
• Contribute to evaluating technologies and products, documenting comparisons and recommendations.
• Work with delivery teams to ensure solutions are understood and implemented as intended, escalating risks and decisions when needed.
• Communicate clearly and work collaboratively with architects, product, engineering, and end‑user communities to deliver high‑quality solutions.

What you'll bring

• Foundational understanding of solution architecture, including systems, integrations, data flows, and non‑functional requirements
• Exposure to architecture frameworks, standards, and reference models, with a willingness to learn and apply them
• Experience (including placements or graduate roles) working with software delivery teams in agile and/or waterfall environments
• Basic knowledge of cloud technologies, integrations (APIs, eventing, messaging), and emerging AI/data‑driven use cases
• Strong communication and organisational skills, able to convey technical concepts to varied audiences and manage tasks effectively
• Collaborative and curious mindset, open to feedback; exposure to SaaS, vendors, or retail environments is a plus but not essential

 

How We Work
We believe in flexibility and balance. Our hybrid model blends home working for focus with time spent connecting and collaborating - whether in our offices or at offsite locations. On average, around 60% of your time will involve in-person collaboration.

What We Offer
An inclusive environment where your potential is limited only by your imagination. We encourage new ideas, support experimentation, and strive to create a workplace where everyone can be their best self. 

We also offer a competitive benefits package and plenty of opportunities to stretch and grow your career. Scroll down below to find out more about our benefits.

Diversity & Inclusion
Our customers come from all walks of life - and so do we. We’re committed to ensuring all colleagues, future colleagues, and applicants are treated equally, regardless of age, gender, marital or civil partnership status, ethnicity, culture, religion, belief, political opinion, disability, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation.

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