Technical Solutions Architect

Manchester Airport plc.; Manchester; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading airport solutions company in Manchester is seeking an experienced Technical Solutions Architect to shape the technical foundations of its digital platforms. This hands-on role involves designing, implementing, and overseeing robust cloud architectures primarily using AWS. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in cloud environments, proven architectural skills, and the ability to lead technical discussions across multidisciplinary teams. Competitive perks include generous holiday allowances and flexible working options.

Benefits

25 days holiday

On-site gym

10% company pension

Flexible benefits and discounts

Enhanced parental leave

Paid volunteering days

Qualifications

• Proven experience designing solution architectures within cloud environments, ideally AWS.
• Strong knowledge of AWS services such as EC2, S3, IAM, VPC, and related tooling.
• Experience building scalable, secure, and resilient platforms.

Responsibilities

• Designing and implementing scalable, secure, and high-availability architectures across AWS cloud environments.
• Creating and maintaining architectural blueprints that support application development, infrastructure, and platform growth.
• Defining and driving infrastructure strategy, using Infrastructure as Code (e.g. Terraform) and AWS-native services.

Skills

AWS services

Solution architecture

Security best practices

Communication skills

Leadership skills

Education

Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field

Tools

Terraform

Docker

ECS

Job description

At CAVU our purpose is to find new and better ways to make airport travel seamless and enjoyable for everybody — from the smallest ideas to the biggest changes. Every day here is about creating better travel experiences.

From our revenue-accelerating single platform technology, Propel, through to our world-class hospitality venues including 1903 and Escape Lounges, our solutions make travel more seamless and enjoyable for passengers, and more profitable for our clients and partners.

We know that to bring your best ideas, you need the space to think, the right support, and the freedom to be your true, authentic self. Whether you’re working from our offices, from home, in a lounge, or out on the road, we provide the environment to create, innovate, and transform airport travel.

If you’re looking for a career where you can make a real impact, bring new ideas to life, and push boundaries, then CAVU is the place for you.

What’s the role?

As a Technical Solutions Architect, reporting to the Head of Architecture, you’ll play a critical role in shaping the technical foundations that power CAVU’s digital platforms and SaaS products.

You’ll design, implement, and oversee robust, scalable, and secure architectures— with a strong focus on cloud infrastructure (AWS), platform resilience, security, and long-term scalability. Acting as a key technical leader, you’ll work closely with Development, SRE, and Product teams to translate business initiatives into well-defined technical solutions that meet both functional and non-functional requirements.

This is a hands‑on, influential role where you’ll help guide architectural direction across a growing platform that serves 50m+ users annually, supports 300+ colleagues, and is onboarding hundreds of new airports and airline partners over the coming years.

Key responsibilities

• Designing and implementing scalable, secure, and high-availability architectures across AWS cloud environments
• Creating and maintaining architectural blueprints that support application development, infrastructure, and platform growth
• Defining and driving infrastructure strategy, using Infrastructure as Code (e.g. Terraform) and AWS-native services
• Providing technical leadership and guidance to engineering teams, promoting best practices in cloud architecture, automation, and software design
• Acting as a bridge between Development, SRE, and Product teams to ensure architectural alignment and clear communication
• Embedding security and compliance best practices into all architectural designs
• Maintaining clear, accessible architectural documentation and leading knowledge‑sharing sessions across the business

About You

You’re an experienced Solution or Technical Architect who enjoys operating at both a strategic and hands‑on level. You’re comfortable leading complex technical discussions, influencing stakeholders, and translating business goals into practical, future‑proof technical solutions.

You’ll bring:

• Proven experience designing solution architectures within cloud environments, ideally AWS
• Strong knowledge of AWS services such as EC2, S3, IAM, VPC, and related tooling
• Experience building scalable, secure, and resilient platforms
• Familiarity with PHP or .NET, alongside containerisation technologies such as Docker and ECS
• A solid understanding of security, resilience, and performance optimisation
• Strong communication and leadership skills, with the ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams

A degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field is welcome — but equivalent practical experience is just as valuable.

The Perks

• 25 days holiday, increasing by 1 day per year with service (up to 28)
• Option to buy up to 10 additional days’ annual leave, plus 4 flexible bank holidays
• 10% company pension
• On‑site gym
• A host of flexible benefits and discounts — including up to 50% off CAVU products such as Escape Lounges and Airport Parking
• Rail and retail discounts
• 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Access to an internal events calendar including health & wellbeing activities, ID&E initiatives, and learning sessions
• Formal and informal development opportunities, including mentoring programmes and learning grants
• Enhanced parental leave (T&Cs apply)

The Interview Process

Please note this may change.

1️⃣ Recruiter Screen – around 15 minutes to discuss your experience, motivations, and what you’re looking for
2️⃣ Skills & Competency Interview – focused on your technical expertise and leadership approach
3️⃣ Values Interview – exploring how you align with CAVU’s culture and values

ID&E at CAVU

We’re building something brilliant at CAVU: a diverse team of people who reflect the global customer base that we serve. We’re proudly part of MAG, and together we’re on a mission to be number one in our industries — and that takes talent in all its forms.

With so many exciting roles across our business, there’s space for your unique strengths to shine. Even if you don’t tick every box, we’d still love to hear from you.

We’re proud to be a UK Disability Confident employer. If you need any adjustments to support your application or interview, just let us know — we’re committed to helping you perform at your best.

At MAG and CAVU, every journey matters. Our Colleague Communities include: Women’s Network, Embrace (Race & Ethnicity), Fly with Pride (LGBTQIA+), Mind Matters (Mental Health), PACT (Parents & Carers), Respectability (Disability & Neurodiversity), and the CAVU Global ID&E Affinity Group.