Lead Solution Architect (Barcode)

The Lead Solution Architect at Rail Delivery Group (RDG) is responsible for leading the architecture of the Barcode 2.0 system, ensuring a seamless integration of digital ticketing solutions across the railway network. You'll oversee all aspects of solution design, from technical documentation and compatibility assessments to collaborating with delivery teams and external suppliers. This position also involves mentoring a team of architects and presenting architecture solutions to governance boards.

To be considered for the Lead Solution Architect position at Rail Delivery Group, candidates should possess an AWS Certified Solution Architect qualification or equivalent experience, alongside a TOGAF certification. Extensive experience in technical architecture, especially within multi-stakeholder environments, is essential, alongside a strong foundation in API gateway platforms and cloud technologies like AWS.

During the interview process for the Lead Solution Architect position at Rail Delivery Group, you can expect to engage in discussions that assess technical expertise, leadership abilities, and stakeholder management skills. The process typically includes technical assessments, scenario-based questions, and discussions that focus on your experience in delivering scalable digital solutions, particularly in the area of ticketing.

As a Lead Solution Architect at Rail Delivery Group, there are numerous opportunities for career advancement. You'll gain exposure to significant stakeholders in transport and government, allowing for professional growth. The role offers real ownership of projects and visibility at senior levels, which can lead to further strategic roles within RDG as the digital ticketing landscape evolves.

The Rail Delivery Group is committed to the professional development of its Lead Solution Architects. This includes mentoring opportunities, access to training and resources, and involvement in industry forums that can enhance your knowledge and skill set. RDG also encourages participation in cutting-edge projects, which fosters continuous learning and growth.

When answering this question, focus on specific API gateway platforms you've worked with, detailing your role in implementing them. Discuss your understanding of how to design effective integrations that ensure reliable communication between systems, and highlight any challenges you've faced and how you've overcome them to reinforce your problem-solving abilities.

In responding to this question, emphasize your communication strategies and how you build relationships with stakeholders. Describe your approach to understanding their needs, providing updates, and involving them in the decision-making process to maintain transparency and foster collaboration throughout the project lifecycle.

Discuss the best practices you follow to embed security within architecture from the ground up. Mention specific design patterns, frameworks, and tools you utilize to maintain security while ensuring scalability, such as leveraging cloud capabilities or microservices architecture. Highlight your ability to think ahead and plan for future growth.

Documentation is crucial in ensuring clarity and consistency across all stakeholders. Explain how you create and maintain detailed architecture documentation, including data flows and integration designs, to facilitate understanding and efficiency in implementation. Share any tools you prefer and how you keep documentation up-to-date.

Be sure to choose a project that demonstrates your architectural leadership capabilities. Outline the challenges you faced, your role in addressing them, the solutions you crafted, and the impact this project had on the organization. This will showcase your problem-solving skills and ability to drive results under pressure.

Discuss your mentoring philosophy and strategies. Share how you contribute to the professional growth of junior architects, what resources or tools you provide, and how you create a supportive environment for knowledge sharing and collaboration. Providing real examples will add depth to your answer.

Talk about your hands-on experience with AWS, mentioning specific projects, tools, or services you've employed. Highlight how you've leveraged AWS's capabilities to optimize performance, enhance security, or streamline integrations. This demonstrates both your technical proficiency and your ability to apply those skills in real-world scenarios.

It's important to use a structured approach when assessing technical designs. Discuss the criteria you consider, such as alignment with enterprise architecture, stakeholder requirements, and scalability. Provide examples of how you've conducted such evaluations, the factors you weighed, and how you arrived at decisions that benefitted the project.

When answering this question, align your personal values with RDG's mission and initiatives. Explain how the role maps to your career ambitions and how you envision contributing to the future of rail through innovation in digital ticketing. Highlight your excitement for being part of a transformative journey in the railway industry.

Express your commitment to continuous learning by describing the various sources you rely on, such as industry publications, webinars, conferences, and professional networks. Mention any specific technologies or trends that pique your interest, particularly those relevant to digital ticketing and rail transport innovation.