Solution Architect

Must have: 

• Strong presentation skills
• Project management skills
• Strong technical skills
• Strong written communication skills
• Solid understanding of a variety of programming tools and development platforms
• Highly analytical mindset, with an ability to see both the big picture and the details.
• Strong background in several modern programming languages (i.e. Java, Kotlin, Swift, JavaScript, .NET, etc)
• API lifecycle management
• Designing and architecting high-performance distributed applications
• Exposure to AWS and architecting cloud-native enterprise-grade applications.
• Security minded
• Experience working on projects using agile methodologies (SCRUM/Kanban).
• Strong technical leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to lead and motivate Software Engineers towards common architectural goals. 
• Critical thinking and analytical skills
• Clear communicator who can inspire others through a multitude of mediums, be enthusiastic, provide context and then deliver on it through the engineering teams.
• Experience of working on multiple projects - including complex problem solving, adapting quickly to change, raising risk and mitigations, working with conviction, and working to tight deadlines.
• Resilient, calm, and methodical in high pressure situations and able to multi-task, prioritise and make decisions.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic and constantly evolving environment. 
• Excellent first-hand knowledge of software development techniques and methodologies throughout the SDLC, mobile development would be a distinctive advantage.
• Experience in client facing situations. 

Desirable: 

• Our tech stack is iOS, Swift, Android, Kotlin, React, Java and AWS. Experience of one or more of those is desirable but not required if you have a strong technical background working in a modern language following good practices and principles.
• Business and industry acumen, knowing mkodo, mkodo’s offerings and products and mkodo’s clients.
• Domain or product knowledge of apps, middleware and digital products in the global lottery, betting, and gaming space.
• Experience in working with teams of Software Engineers from third party offshore/nearshore providers, as a supplement to UK based FTE, would be advantageous.
• Working as part of a group of global companies, supporting an aligned strategic direction, would also be helpful.

We’re looking for a passionate, self-motivated, and experienced Solution Architect to support our ambitious growth goals for 2023/24. Reporting to the Director of Technology and Engineering, the Solution Architect works closely with Heads of Engineering, teams of software engineers and product managers to create the best technical architecture for the solution. This includes feature/capability analysis, functional and non-functional requirements, as well as the analysis of tools and frameworks to create new products and enhance existing products. 

This position will provide solution architecture expertise to develop and maintain a digital technology product roadmap to manage the introduction of new features and capabilities, conduct strategic research and development, and assist in the translation of business strategy and requirements into specific solutions.

The Solution Architect will work with the teams throughout the product, or project, development lifecycle (design, analysis, testing and implementation) to ensure that the solutions’ architecture is aligned with our goals, objectives and strategic initiatives. 

• Provide technical leadership and mentoring for engineers to make smart technology decisions.
• Responsible for the architectural design of systems used and developed by mkodo, focusing on scalability, security, and operational efficiency. 
• Work with the Heads of Engineering and Director of Technology and Engineering to conduct research and development for new opportunities, features, technology and products.
• Responsible for leading that key software architecture, design, and implementation with Principal Software Engineers and Technical Leads.
• Leading architectural initiatives and coordinating work to ensure their success.
• Responsible for reviewing design work undertaken by the development teams.
• Identify system changes needed to scale and meet future customer needs.
• Should assist in the requirements elicitation process, assuring consistency and completeness.
• Should plan for software evolution, taking in consideration future changes in requirements.
• Servant tech leaders who are focused on identifying how we are doing things today and how we can move towards a better ideal state - always finding a good pragmatic approach to serve our business stakeholders in the best possible way.
• Communicate architectural strategies and progress to stakeholders at all levels, including execs, with varying technical understanding.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement: Using retrospective data, project metrics, bug escape metrics and regular operational catch ups across the business, gather actionable data, track trends, and analyse data to demonstrate continuous improvement to architectural practices across the business.
• Working with the Heads of Engineering, contribute to, and maintain, the architectural strategies that will be rolled out and inspiring the development teams to act on an energised vision of Solution Architecture.
• Role model the mkodo behaviours and values and hold others accountable for them. 
• Provide architectural guidance and direction to the engineering teams, while promoting a culture of innovation and creativity. 
• Ensure that Solution Architectures meet necessary compliance guidelines (e., ISO27001 and PCI Compliance) and are being followed by the teams. 
• Communicate technical information to non-technical stakeholders, including customers. 
• Partner with functional leads across the organisation, developing a cross-functional team relationship. Ensuring you have full visibility of the conversations with Project Managers and Product Owners about roadmaps, the architectural plans for their teams and regularly check that architectural designs and practices are being followed.
• Develop your skills using training mkodo offers and be willing to ask questions when you are not sure or when something is in your way.
• Be part of the sales process, presenting the technical capabilities and intricacies of the mkodo technology stack to Clients and Prospects.
• Supporting the bid process for large enterprise opportunities.

mkodo is a great place to work, along with a competitive renumeration package we offer excellent benefits comprising:  

• Hybrid Working 
• Generous Holiday Allowance (increasing with service)
• Gifted day over Christmas period
• Birthday off!
• Performance bonus & Profit Share Scheme
• Quarterly team events
• Group income protection
• Life Insurance
• Charity/Volunteer Day
• Tech Loan Scheme
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Contributory pension
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Home working expense payment
• Discounted gym membership
• Friday beers provided in each office!
• Relevant individual training budget.
• Digital Nomad Policy
• Generous refer a friend scheme.

mkodo builds world class apps and digital products in the global lottery, betting and gaming space.

We have an open, supportive, dynamic culture where talented people are trusted to contribute to the team and company by carrying out their roles in a professional, collaborative, and skilled manner. We value the expertise of our team members and offer opportunities for personal development and career progression within the company.