Business Systems Architect

Job Summary

It’s great to know you’re making a difference to the future of aviation! Whatever part you play you’ll be helping us deliver operational excellence to our customers. Based at our Luton manufacturing plant you’ll do just that. Established in 1993, GKN Aerospace in Luton is a world leader in commercial and military ice protection systems and transparencies. Offering a full range of capabilities; design, analysis, testing, certification and manufacture of electro-thermal ice protection, military fast jet canopies and flight deck windows to over 20 programmes including: Boeing 787, Dreamliner, Airbus A320, AgustaWestland, AW101, Eurofighter Typhoon and Lockheed, Martin F-22 Raptor. Our customers include Boeing, Airbus, Lockheed Martin, Bell Helicopters, Textron, BAE Systems, Pratt & Whitney, Leonardo. Our Luton site is home to 370+ employees and onsite facilities including onsite parking, food hub and vending machines.

As a Centre of Excellence (CoE) Architect, you will act as a skilled and knowledgeable team member whose role is to provide the business global support and deliver best practices around the analysis and design of applications and solutions in line with the business requirements.

Working as a member of the global CoE team, the CoE Architect will play a role in provisioning ‘build’ and ‘run’ to continuously improve and support their designated application area within the agreed SLA.

The CoE forms part of the wider IT applications team, an integral part of the global IT organisation. You will be a trusted partner to the business in providing applications and solutions in line with the IT operating model, working alongside the IT business partners, project management office, security and IT operations teams.

Occasional regional and international travel may be required, though this is infrequent. Core working hours at our Luton site are 07:30–16:30, Monday to Thursday, and 07:30–12:30 on Fridays.

Job Responsibilities

• Works as part of a global team of subject matter experts to deliver support within agreed SLAs
• Works alongside the other global IT functions (including IT operations, security, project management office and IT business partners) to support the delivery of the IT strategy in line with the IT operating model.
• Ensures the business/function are aware of the latest capabilities and drive standard application best practice.
• Ensures IT security requirements are observed and designed into future demand/requirements.
• Provides structured training for business/function(s) for maximum effectiveness.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by management/team leaders.
• Supports the implementation of global IT standards.
• Application lifecycle management.
• Be a trusted partner to the business in providing fit for purpose applications and solutions.
• Supports annual IT budget.
• Be aware of the latest capabilities and drive the use of standard tools and processes in the system arena.
• Liaising with external parties (e.g. consultants, software vendors, auditors etc.) where required.
• Ability to generate a unified definition of a target landscape based on functional and non-functional requirements to determine solution and environment selection.
• Gathers functional and non-functional requirements of systems, processes and business models.
• Communicates global standards and guidelines to specialists and developers.
• Supports the implementation of new solutions, upgrades and/or enhancements to existing ones.
• Supports the change request process during implementation performing an impact assessment where required, and collaborate on compliance monitoring post-implementation (plan-do-check-act).
• Assist in determining time and cost estimates for assigned projects.
• Identifies options for potential solutions and assessing them for both technical and business suitability.
• Documenting processes and procedures (and maintaining them).

What You'll Bring

To help us make a difference, you’ll bring your passion and talent for what you do along with the following skills, experience, qualifications and attributes:
Essential:
• Experience working within and/or supporting an information technology environment.
• Experience working with manufacturing and/or business systems.
• Ability to be proactive and take initiative, including performance of duties exercising independent judgement.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment – to effectively listen, challenge and communicate.
• Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong problem solving skills.
• Professionalism and flexibility.
• Experience developing or supporting systems and processes.
• Good written and oral communication skills in the English language.
• Experience working in a customer-facing role.
• Experience and understanding of architecture methodologies.
• Excellent knowledge of business processes across a range of functions.
• Strong analytical thinking skills.

Desirable:
• Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Engineering or related field. 
• A strong focus on continuous learning and sharing this information with team members.
• Proficient in all Microsoft Office applications.
• Understanding and experience working with project management methodologies.
• Understanding of change management methodologies.
• Experience working within an application development environment and/or related processes.

We are looking for people who want to make a difference, talented members with the skills and passions to become the best of the future in what they do. 

Note: Some GKN programmes are subject to regulatory restrictions which may impact certain nationalities. As part of the application process you will be asked to declare when applying for this role. 

What We'll Offer

Once you’re on board you’ll get the following perks and benefits:
• Competitive salary dependent on experience
• The opportunity to earn up to 15% bonus
• Industry Leading Pension Scheme = we’ll match your contributions up to 8% on a 1 : 1.5 basis
• Life Assurance 8 x salary
• 185 hours holiday + bank holidays
• Income protection
• Shopping discounts
• Cycle To Work Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Virtual GP Clinic for you and immediate family
• Electric Vehicle (EV) salary sacrifice scheme (Insurance, servicing, maintenance, roadside assistance and more included)
• Free onsite parking 
• Local gym discount 
• Free airport parking 
• Enhanced family friendly leave
• A collaborative, dynamic working environment 

As well as a competitive package we’ll offer you a world of opportunity. We want to see your career fly! We’ll support your career progression by providing you with learning and development opportunities. That’s the beauty of being part of a global business, once you’re on board you never know where you career journey may take you! 

Join us and keep the world moving … click on the link below to apply

Closing date: 25.5.26

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