We’re Kingfisher, A team made up of over 74,000 passionate people who bring Kingfisher - and all our other brands: B&Q, Screwfix, Brico Depot, Castorama and Koctas to life. Guided by our purpose Better Homes. Better Lives. For Everyone. We believe a better world starts with better homes, and we work every day to make that a reality. Join us and help shape the future of home improvement.

As a Solution Architect Associate you will support the definition and documentation of solutions for our brands across Europe. Working under the guidance of a Lead Solution Architect, you will help translate business needs into clear solution designs, develop your architecture capability, and contribute to the consistent application of standards and patterns.

Role will be based out of our Kingfisher Southampton office or the Kingfisher Head Office in Paddington with an expectation of 12 days a month in the office.

Responsibilities

• Support the Lead Solution Architect in developing and maintaining solution designs, documentation, and architectural views.
• Collaborate in workshops with business and technical stakeholders to shape requirements, options, and trade offs.
• Analyse existing systems to identify opportunities to simplify, standardise, and improve solution quality.
• Contribute to evaluating technologies and products, documenting comparisons and recommendations.
• Work with delivery teams to ensure solutions are understood and implemented as intended, escalating risks and decisions when needed.
• Communicate clearly and work collaboratively with architects, product, engineering, and end user communities to deliver high quality solutions.

Qualifications

• Foundational understanding of solution architecture, including systems, integrations, data flows, and non functional requirements.
• Exposure to architecture frameworks, standards, and reference models, with a willingness to learn and apply them.
• Experience (including placements or graduate roles) working with software delivery teams in agile and/or waterfall environments.
• Basic knowledge of cloud technologies, integrations (APIs, eventing, messaging), and emerging AI/data driven use cases.
• Strong communication and organisational skills, able to convey technical concepts to varied audiences and manage tasks effectively.
• Collaborative and curious mindset, open to feedback; exposure to SaaS, vendors, or retail environments is a plus but not essential.

How We Work

We believe in flexibility and balance. Our hybrid model blends home working for focus with time spent connecting and collaborating - whether in our offices or at offsite locations. On average, around 60 % of your time will involve in person collaboration.

We value the perspectives new team members bring and encourage you to apply - even if you don’t meet 100 % of the requirements.

Diversity & Inclusion

Our customers come from all walks of life - and so do we. We’re committed to ensuring all colleagues, future colleagues, and applicants are treated equally, regardless of age, gender, marital or civil partnership status, ethnicity, culture, religion, belief, political opinion, disability, gender identity, gender expression, or sexual orientation.

Benefits Private Health Care

Opportunity to receive up to family level cover with AXA. Join within three months of starting or at annual renewal in April. (This benefit is subject to Benefit in Kind taxation).

Kingfisher Pension Scheme

Immediate eligibility through auto enrolment. Contribute 8 % to receive a max 14 % from the company.

25 Days’ Holiday

25 days per annum plus bank holidays as stated in your contract (pro rated for part time colleagues).

Staff Discount

20 % discount at B&Q and Screwfix. Eligible after 3 months of service.

Kingfisher Share Incentive Plan (SIP)

Share ownership in a tax efficient way. Save between £10 to £150 per month. Join at any time once three months service is reached.

Life Assurance

x4 Salary plus benefit equal to value of your Retirement Account (if an active member of KPS MP) or x1 Salary if not active member.

Bonus

Competitive bonus scheme that aligns to work level of role.

Kingfisher Share Save

Save with the option to buy Kingfisher plc shares at the end of a 3 or 5 year period. Offered annually. Three months service is required at the annual invitation date, normally in October.