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How to Hire a Solutions Architect in the UK (2026)

Designing the technical solution to a business problem. How to hire a Solutions Architect.
By Mark Wilkinson, Managing Director of Coburg Banks
Charles leads Coburg Banks IT, placing technology professionals from helpdesk to CTO for businesses across the UK.
Mark's Linkedin Profile

A Solutions Architect designs how technology solves a specific business problem - joining systems, platforms and constraints into a coherent, workable solution. It's senior, cross-cutting work that needs both technical depth and communication.

⚡ In short

A UK Solutions Architect typically earns £70k-£100k. Expect a placement in 6-10 weeks. Coburg Banks recruits them with no fee until your hire starts.

£70k-£100k

Typical base salary

6-10 weeks

Time to hire

48 hrs

To first shortlist

12 wks

Replacement guarantee

What to look for in a Solutions Architect

1

Design and trade-off judgement

Ask about a solution they designed and the trade-offs they navigated.

2

Breadth

They span systems, integration, security and cost. Look for genuine breadth, not one specialism.

3

Communication

They sell a design to both engineers and stakeholders. Screen for clarity and influence.

How to run the hire

1. Define the problem space
Be clear on the systems, constraints and stakeholders they'll work across.

2. Score for design and communication
Weight both technical judgement and the ability to carry people with them.

3. Source and approach
Approach senior candidates directly.

4. Use a design exercise
Have them architect a solution for a real scenario and defend it.

5. Reference delivery
Confirm their designs were built and worked.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to hire a Solutions Architect?

Fees typically run 18-23% of first-year salary, capped and agreed upfront.

Nothing is due until your hire starts.

How long does it take to hire a Solutions Architect?

Usually 6-10 weeks.

It's a senior, broad role, so a targeted search takes a little longer to get right.

What does a Solutions Architect do?

A Solutions Architect designs how technology will solve a specific business problem - selecting and joining systems, platforms and services into a coherent solution.

They balance technical, cost and security constraints, and communicate the design to engineers and stakeholders.

What's the difference between a Solutions and a Cloud Architect?

A Solutions Architect designs the overall solution to a business problem, often across systems. A Cloud Architect specialises in the cloud infrastructure underneath.

The roles overlap, so we scope your real need.

What should I ask a Solutions Architect at interview?

Try: Design a solution for this business problem - talk me through the trade-offs.
Tell me about a design that didn't work out.
How do you get engineers and stakeholders behind a design? and How do you balance cost and quality?

Do you recruit Solutions Architects across sectors?

Yes, across finance, technology, retail and the public sector among others.

Where domain or platform experience matters we match it, while weighting broad architectural judgement.

External citations

Ready to hire your next Solutions Architect?

Tell us about your role and a specialist IT recruiter will call you. No fee until your hire starts.