Solution Architect Lead - Applications Airport

Lead Solution Architect - Airport Applications

Aviation Technology - Application Architecture - Passenger & Operational Systems

Job Title

Lead Solution Architect - Airport Applications

Function

Solution Architecture / Applications / Aviation & Transport

Reports To

Chief Architect / Lead Solution Architect - Airports

Level

Principal / Senior

Direct Reports

Solution Architects, Solution Analysts (Applications)

Location

Hybrid - with travel to airport sites as required

Employment Type

Full-time, permanent

Role Purpose:

The Lead Solution Architect - Airport Applications owns the application architecture across the airport landscape - passenger processing, common-use, operational and business systems - ensuring a coherent, integrated and fit-for-purpose application estate.

The role leads application design and standards, governs the applications team, and ensures the application portfolio supports airport operations, the passenger journey and future growth.

Key Responsibilities

Application Architecture

• Own the application architecture for airport systems - passenger processing, CUPPS/CUSS, AODB, RMS, FIDS, and business applications.
• Define application standards, patterns, portfolio and roadmap.
• Lead build-vs-buy, product selection and application integration design.

Design & Assurance

• Own application design artefacts and decision records.
• Ensure applications meet functional and non-functional requirements including resilience and security.
• Govern application design quality through the design authority.

Leadership & Stakeholder

• Lead and mentor application architects and analysts.
• Engage business and operational stakeholders and vendors.
• Support estimation, planning and risk for the applications domain.

Skills & Experience

Essential

• Application architecture: Extensive experience in application architecture on large, complex programmes.
• Domain knowledge: Strong understanding of airport/aviation applications (AODB, RMS, FIDS, CUPPS/CUSS, passenger processing).
• Design breadth: Hands-on across application design, integration, product selection and cloud.
• Non-functionals: Experience designing for availability, performance, resilience and security.
• Leadership & communication: Ability to lead a team and engage stakeholders effectively.

Desirable

• Architecture/cloud certifications (TOGAF, Azure/AWS).
• Familiarity with IATA/ACI and A-CDM.
• Experience of terminal openings or greenfield programmes.
• Exposure to MSI operating models.

Qualifications

• Degree in Computer Science, Engineering or related discipline (or equivalent experience).
• Architecture and/or cloud certifications strongly preferred.

Key Competencies

Domain and design leadership - systems thinking - quality focus - stakeholder influence - collaboration - risk awareness - clear communication.