Principal Solution Architect

About the role

The Principal Solution Architect is responsible for defining and governing the end-to-end solution architecture that supports Dyson's global Research, Design & Development organisation. Operating within the RDD IT function, this role ensures that technology solutions are designed with clarity, consistency, and alignment to both engineering requirements and enterprise architecture standards. You will translate complex business and engineering needs into structured architectural outcomes, guiding solutions from early-stage discovery through to implementation. You will work closely with product owners, engineering stakeholders, delivery teams, and other architecture functions to define scalable, secure, and integrated solutions across Dyson's engineering ecosystem. This includes shaping the evolution of core platforms such as PLM, simulation environments, electronics development, and software engineering systems. The role requires balancing long-term strategic architecture with pragmatic delivery needs, ensuring that solutions are robust, maintainable, and aligned to Dyson's global growth and engineering ambitions. Principal Accountabilities Architecture Definition & Solution Design - Define target-state architectures across RDD IT, including application, integration, and deployment views - Produce clear and structured architectural artefacts aligned to enterprise standards and business capabilities - Ensure traceability from business requirements through to technical design and implementation - Establish and promote architectural principles, standards, and patterns across RDD IT Engineering Platform Architecture - Define and evolve architecture across key engineering platforms, including PLM (e.g. Teamcenter), ALM, CAE, and simulation ecosystems - Design integration patterns linking application development, electronics development, simulation, and product lifecycle systems - Ensure solutions support global collaboration, scalability, and performance requirements - Drive architectural consistency across engineering toolchains and associated data flows Solution Governance & Assurance - Provide architectural governance across programmes, projects, and product teams - Review and assure solution designs to ensure alignment with target architecture and standards - Identify and manage architectural risks, dependencies, and trade-offs - Support governance forums and decision-making processes related to solution design Delivery Alignment & Support - Work closely with delivery teams to guide the implementation of architectural designs - Support solution refinement during delivery, ensuring designs remain aligned to requirements and constraints - Provide technical leadership across project lifecycles, from discovery to deployment - Ensure architecture supports both immediate delivery needs and long-term sustainability Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration - Engage with engineering, product, and IT stakeholders to understand complex requirements and translate them into architectural solutions - Collaborate with business product owners, delivery leads, and technical teams to align priorities and outcomes - Communicate architectural concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences - Build strong working relationships across global teams and functions Technology Strategy & Evolution - Contribute to the development of RDD IT technology strategy and roadmap - Identify opportunities to simplify, modernise, and improve the engineering technology landscape - Support adoption of new technologies, including digital engineering platforms and AI-enabled capabilities where appropriate - Ensure alignment with enterprise technology direction and standards Person Specification / Core Competencies You must possess strong technical leadership capability, with the ability to define and communicate complex architectural solutions across a global engineering environment. You will demonstrate a structured and methodical approach to problem solving, while remaining pragmatic and delivery focused. Core Competencies - Strong solution architecture capability across complex, integrated technology environmen