Technical Architect - Digital Systems Rail

As the contract now proceeds through the final stages of commissioning, most of the complex sites and systems have undergone final testing and are being handed over to the operator.

The programme and operator have built or are in the last stages of implementing the operational technology (OT) and Information Technology (IT) systems that will be used to run and manage the railway.

As such a manageable systems architecture is be implemented and needs further enhancement.

Purpose of the Job

The role will be responsible for the design and implementation of an overall systems architecture & framework for RfLI covering the information management systems and as applicable to the operational technology systems.

Working with the Head of Digital Systems, the programme manager for Information & Management system programme and stakeholders in RfLI engineering and maintenance, the Technology Architect will help develop strategic principles and strategy. Will work with business analysts to translate business requirements into architectural requirements and will align technology strategy with external supplier systems & TfL Technology & Data.

Principles & strategy will be based in industry best practices in enterprise architecture, service management and asset management and RfLI & TfL processes and standards.

Principal Accountabilities

• Aids strategic planning with a 5+ year horizon.
• Deliver essential technology artefacts are put in place as soon as possible, starting with a logical systems map covering known status of all IT and OT systems and their interfaces and dependencies.
• Identify any gaps in technology architecture knowledge for all systems delivered to enable a plan to be put in place to get these rectified.
• Work with TfL engineering, RfLI engineering & RfLI maintenance to identify systems interfaces and highlight areas of improvement in the chosen asset/service management approach.
• Working with the Head of Digital Systems, write enterprise and technical standards and influence the use of these standards in systems implementation and support.
• Influence detailed definition of software configurations within the asset & configuration management systems
• Guide delivery of technical capability to enable automated change management in the Operational Technology systems.
• Take reasonable care of your own and others’ health and safety and of those who may be affected in the day-to-day delivery of this role by taking personal responsibility for working to Target Zero principles.
• Co-operate in all matters relating to health and safety, including following safe working procedures at all times.
• Act as a role model for vision and values, behaving in ways that are in alignment with Ways of Working. Encourage and support others to do so too.
• Promote equality in the workplace and adopt appropriate behaviour when interacting with colleagues.
• Take necessary care to properly protect the confidentiality, integrity and availability of corporate information from unauthorised disclosure, modification or destruction. Never knowingly put information or information systems at risk

Main Challenges of the Job

• Devising and implementing standards that function well and are accepted across IT and OT domains.
• Influencing across domains to ensure the benefits of structured architectural approach can be felt across the RfLI enterprise.
• Identifying capabilities that can be delivered in stages in line with department capability maturity.

Person Specification

• Experience of setting up a technology and business architectures.
• Previous experience of developing large scale, pragmatic, business centric solutions to solve critical business challenges.
• Previous experience as design authority for a project portfolio or major programme.
• Previous experience of defining architectural direction and harnessing innovation for business benefit.
• Previous experience of building, maintaining and influencing relationships with a range of stakeholders.
• Makes decisions in the face of ambiguity & complexity – copes with 80/20 rather than 100% accuracy
• Knowledge and experience of software development, technology infrastructure and Cyber Security implementation within a large complex regulated environment.
• Knowledge of enterprise architecture frameworks desirable