Job Title: Solution Architect

Overview

Local Peoples is  seeking an experienced Solution Architect to design, assess, and implement technology solutions that align with business goals and technical strategies. The role requires a blend of technical expertise, strategic thinking, and stakeholder engagement to ensure that solutions are scalable, secure, and fit-for-purpose.

Key Responsibilities

• Architecture Assessment

  • Review and document the current state of systems, applications, and infrastructure.

  • Identify gaps, limitations, dependencies, and risks in existing solutions.

  • Develop clear architecture artefacts (e.g., diagrams, models, documentation) for both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Future State Design

  • Define and propose options for future-state architecture that support organisational objectives.

  • Develop solution options with clear benefits, risks, dependencies, and cost considerations.

  • Recommend optimal solutions that balance technical requirements with business priorities.

• Gap Analysis & Transition Planning

  • Analyse gaps between current and future states.

  • Provide practical recommendations to address software, infrastructure, security, and capability gaps.

  • Develop strategies to ensure scalability, performance, and resilience.

• Technical Roadmap

  • Create a roadmap to guide the organisation through transition phases.

  • Identify key milestones, dependencies, and risks to support successful delivery.

• Stakeholder Engagement

  • Collaborate with business leaders, project managers, developers, and other stakeholders.

  • Present complex technical concepts in clear, accessible language.

  • Ensure proposed solutions align with broader enterprise and strategic goals.

Skills and Experience

Essential:

• Proven experience delivering solution architecture services in complex environments.

• Strong knowledge of enterprise architecture principles, frameworks, and methodologies.

• Demonstrated ability to design scalable, secure, and cost-effective solutions.

• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills across technical and non-technical audiences.

• Strong documentation and presentation skills, including development of architecture artefacts.

Desirable:

• NV1 Security Clearance (preferred).

• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and hybrid environments.

• Familiarity with enterprise integration patterns, APIs, and data management.

• Knowledge of security frameworks, compliance, and risk management.

• Understanding of modern application development practices (microservices, containers, DevOps).

• Experience with large-scale digital transformation or modernisation initiatives.

Attributes

• Strategic thinker with strong problem-solving skills.

• Open-minded and evidence-based in making recommendations.

• Collaborative, adaptable, and able to balance business needs with technical feasibility.

• Interest in emerging technologies and ability to apply them to real-world challenges.

• 
  

Who are Local Peoples?

Local Peoples is a strategic research and design studio based in Melbourne and Canberra.

Our mission is to design healthy, resilient and resourceful communities. We are proud to be a certified B-Corporation with a strong focus on our social, environmental and economic impact.

We work across brand and digital design, place and experience design,, content and community engagement. Our key partners include state and local government, social enterprises, universities and large commercial organisations. All are experiencing complex challenges right now and we believe that design research, thinking and delivery can help to solve these challenges and make positive change for people and the planet.

We produce www.mattersjournal.com, a publication and community of 100K+, which focuses on design-led social innovation and impact.

Why join Local Peoples?

• Representative and inclusive - we are dedicated to building an inclusive and accessible workplace for people from diverse backgrounds

• Impact driven - work towards achieving real impact for people and the environment

• Fantastic culture - driven by a welcoming, supportive and collaborative team environment

• Professional support for design excellence- benefit from being a part of one of Australia’s fastest growing design and delivery communities

• Flexible working arrangements - including the ability to work remotely

• Market rate salaries - attractive remuneration packages in line with the market rate

• Flexible employment types - including the preference for permanent, but will consider contracting

Local Peoples proudly supports the LGBTQ+ community, neurodiverse individuals, and First Nations people. We are committed to creating inclusive spaces where everyone, regardless of their identity, feels valued and respected. Together, we strive for equality and a positive future for all.

Local Peoples works, creates, and plays on the lands of the Wurundjeri, Bunurong, and Wathaurong peoples of the Kulin Nation, land which has never been ceded. We thank them for caring for this land for over 40,000 years and recognize and pay our deepest respect to Elders past, present, and emerging. This always was and always will be Aboriginal land