Lead Software Architect

Join us in shaping the digital future of offshore renewable energy.

At ORE Catapult, we are the UK’s leading Technology, Innovation and Research Centre for Offshore Renewable Energy. Our mission is to accelerate the UK’s transition to a net-zero economy by driving innovation in offshore wind, wave, and tidal technologies.

Our internal teams are at the forefront of exploring new technologies to transform how offshore assets are built, managed, and maintained. We believe that data science, advanced analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI) will be game-changing for the future of offshore renewables—and we’re determined to lead the industry there. The challenge is: how do we get there? That’s where you come in.

We’re looking for a Lead Software Architect to help us unlock the value of data and digital innovation. You’ll be instrumental in designing and delivering intelligent, scalable software solutions that support our mission and shape the future of offshore renewables in the UK and beyond.

What will I do?

Are you a strategic thinker with a passion for building future-ready software solutions? As our Lead Software Architect, you’ll play a key role in shaping the digital foundation of our organisation. You'll be responsible for designing and developing enterprise-grade applications and platforms that support our business goals and deliver real value to our people, partners, and customers. This is a leadership role for someone who thrives on innovation, understands the commercial impact of technology, and can translate complex requirements into effective, user-centric solutions.

What am I responsible for?

As a Lead Software Architect, you’ll be responsible for creating and designing new and innovative software solutions that support business functions and client requirements. These will be utilised by our people, partners, and customers across a range of platforms.

You will:

• Oversee the design, development, testing, and deployment of enterprise-grade applications and platforms.

• Maintain and enhance existing internal platforms such as our SPARTA benchmarking platform and PDS platform.

• Lead in-house development while also working collaboratively with software providers, consultancies, and owner-operators.

• Design and implement middleware solutions, connecting systems via APIs and enabling integration with hardware and IoT devices.

• Assess the commercial and operational value of proposed solutions and communicate this clearly to non-technical stakeholders.

• Identify and evaluate new technologies—such as AI—and lead their integration into our software stack to maintain industry leadership.

• Ensure best practices are followed and promote a culture of continuous learning and innovation.

• You’ll work closely with the Director of Professional Services, Head of ICT, Business Systems Manager, and other key stakeholders as we shape the digital systems that will support our ambitions through to 2035.

What are we looking for?

Required:

• Educated to degree level or higher in software development or possesses a relevant professional accreditation or equivalent experience

• Minimum of 8 years’ experience in software development, specifically web and cloud-hosted platforms

• In-depth knowledge of Microsoft Power Platform (Power Apps, Power Automate, Power BI, Power Query, etc.)

• Expertise in .NET technologies and languages (VB.NET, C#, ASP.NET, MVC)

• Strong grasp of web standards and technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, JQuery, REST API, GraphQL)

• Practical understanding of software design patterns and architectural principles

• Experience with cloud-hosted infrastructure, especially Azure and AWS (e.g., Azure Functions, EC2)

• Advanced skills in relational databases, especially Microsoft SQL

Desirable:

• Experience developing in SharePoint

• Familiarity with automation tools such as Ansible, Python, and AWX

• Competency working across various operating systems (Linux, macOS, Windows)

• Familiarity with artificial intelligence and its practical applications

Personal Attributes:

• Analytical mindset with strong problem-solving skills

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively

• Excellent organisational and leadership capabilities

• Strong troubleshooting ability and a passion for learning

• Enthusiasm for innovation, sustainability, and digital transformation

Location

This role can be based at any of our ORE Catapult locations across the UK. This means you have the flexibility to choose the work environment and location that suits you best. A full list of our sites can be found here

What do we offer?

• Salary up to £56,800 per annum, dependent on experience
• Flexibility to work at home or in the office
• 38 days holidays including flexible bank holidays and the option to buy 5 days extra
• Pension, annual bonus, life assurance and health care scheme as standard
• Equal Opportunities Policy
• Electric vehicle and bike2work salary sacrifice schemes
• Open working environment with great potential for career progression and options for Learning and Development
• Access to Mental Health First Aiders and a range of diversity groups and networks, including Inclusion and Diversity, STEM and LGBTQ+
• Refer a Friend scheme paying £1500

ORE Catapult values diversity and inclusion, recognising that varied perspectives are essential for innovation and success. We encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds, including those with protected characteristics such as gender, sexual orientation, and race.

We also understand that some candidates may hesitate to apply unless they meet every criterion. If you believe you have the skills to succeed in this role, we encourage you to apply, even if you don’t meet all the listed qualifications.

As a disability-confident commited employer, we are committed to equality and offer a guaranteed interview to applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria.

If you require a larger print version of this notice or need to discuss access needs or reasonable adjustments, please contact: people@ore.catapult.org.uk