Solution Designer (Architect)

Hybrid, home based 3 days, Gourock 2 days | c. £80,000 | Permanent

Do you want to be part of our new innovative IT team to help shape the technology behind Scotland’s lifeline transport network?

We have a new opportunity for an ambitious, self-motivated individual to join us as a Solution Architect to help shape how our technology evolves over the next 5–7 years of exciting changes coming within CalMac.

Why CalMac?

Your work has real purpose - the technology you design supports services communities rely on every day. You’ll be part of a small, supportive architecture team with the opportunity to influence, grow and help shape technology during a major period of transformation. We offer hybrid working, ongoing investment in your development, and a very generous employer contribution pension that reflects the value we place on long‑term careers.

What you’ll be doing as a Solution Architect

• Turns business ambition into workable, supportable technology
• Designs end‑to‑end solutions across cloud, on‑prem, applications and integrations
• Creates clear, pragmatic HLDs and service designs that teams can actually deliver and run
• As a Solution Architect you will work closely with stakeholders, suppliers and delivery teams to get solutions live – and keep them live
• Helps set architectural standards and brings new ideas to the table without losing sight of operational reality
• Develop Service Design documentation that defines how solutions will be supported, maintained, and operated

What we’re looking for in a Solution Architect

You don’t need to tick every box, but you should recognise yourself in most of these:

• Proven experience as a Solution Architect / Solution Designer in complex environments
• Comfortable designing across Azure (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS) and on‑prem infrastructure
• Ability to translate future state business needs into clear solution designs
• Strong experience producing HLDs, service design documentation and architecture decisions
• Confident engaging and influencing both technical teams and non‑technical stakeholders
• Solid understanding of operational support, service management and live environments
• Experience working in regulated, highly visible or mission critical organisations

Nice to have (but not essential)

• Experience with integration technologies (APIs, messaging, ESBs)
• Knowledge of DevOps / CI‑CD and Agile delivery
• Familiarity with TOGAF or enterprise architecture frameworks
• Background in transport, utilities, public sector or similar

This is a rare opportunity to work with one of Scotland's biggest employers at an exciting time in our evolution. So, what are you waiting for, apply today!