SAP Principal Solution Architect

Job description

**Introduction**
We are seeking a highly experienced SAP S/4HANA Principal Solution Architect with expertise in Defence and Aerospace industry processes.

This role will lead the end-to-end solution architecture across manufacturing, supply chain, MRO, finance, and compliance domains, ensuring that the SAP landscape meets the stringent needs of the defence sector.

The architect will act as a strategic advisor to client executives, drive SAP S/4 roadmap definition, oversee solution integrity, and ensure defence regulatory compliance.

Solution Vision & Strategy:
* Own the overall SAP S/4HANA solution blueprint for defence manufacturing and sustainment programs.
* Define end-to-end architecture covering manufacturing (PP, PP/DS), supply chain (MM, EWM), asset management (EAM/MRO), finance (FI/CO), quality (QM), and project systems (PS).
* Ensure architecture aligns with defence compliance requirements (ITAR, EAR, NATO codification, export control, cybersecurity).
* Drive integration with PLM, MES, CAD, defence logistics systems, and secure data environments.
* Establish governance and design authority to manage solution consistency across work streams
* Define and communicate the long-term SAP solution roadmap, aligning it with overall enterprise architecture and business objectives (e.g., S/4HANA roadmap, cloud strategy, integration strategy).
* Provide strategic thought leadership on leveraging SAP technologies (e.g., S/4HANA, BTP, Cloud solutions, intelligent technologies like AI/ML) to achieve business outcomes.
* Research and evaluate new SAP products, functionalities, and industry trends to identify opportunities for innovation and competitive advantage.

2.

Architecture Design & Governance:
* Lead the end-to-end architectural design for complex SAP implementations, upgrades, and transformations, ensuring solutions are fit-for-purpose, scalable, secure, and maintainable.
* Develop detailed solution blueprints, architectural diagrams, and technical specifications, translating complex business requirements into clear technical designs.
* Establish and enforce architectural standards, guidelines, and best practices for SAP solution development and deployment.
* Conduct architectural reviews and provide governance to ensure adherence to architectural principles throughout the project lifecycle.
* Oversee the integration strategy for SAP solutions with other enterprise applications, third-party systems, and data sources.

3.

Expert Advisory & Consulting:
* Act as the primary SAP subject matter expert and trusted advisor to C-level executives, business leaders, and project teams.
* Partner with business stakeholders to understand their challenges, define requirements, and propose innovative SAP-centric solutions that deliver tangible business value.
* Facilitate workshops, conduct architectural assessments, and provide recommendations on complex SAP design and technical issues.
* Support pre-sales activities, including solutioning, effort estimation, and presenting architectural visions to potential clients/internal stakeholders.
* Provide thought leadership on SAP best practices for Engineer-to-Order (ETO), complex manufacturing, depot-level MRO, and sustainment.
* Oversee functional and technical design decisions across multiple modules and partner teams.

4.

Leadership & Mentorship:
* Provide technical leadership and architectural guidance to multiple project teams, solution architects, functional consultants, and developers.
* Mentor junior architects and team members, fostering their growth and ensuring adherence to architectural best practices.
* Drive knowledge sharing and continuous improvement within the SAP architecture community.

5.

Risk Management & Quality Assurance:
* Identify and mitigate architectural risks, technical debt, and potential scalability issues.
* Ensure solutions meet non-functional requirements (performance, security, usability, reliability).
* Champion a clean core approach and drive adoption of SAP Best Practices.
**Your role and responsibilities**
The SAP Principal Solution Architect is a highly experienced and strategic leader responsible for designing robust, scalable, and innovative SAP solutions that align with the organization's business strategy and enterprise architecture principles.

This role involves deep dives into complex business requirements, translating them into comprehensive technical designs, and providing architectural oversight throughout the solution lifecycle.

The Principal Solution Architect acts as a trusted advisor to senior leadership, project teams, and business stakeholders, ensuring the successful adoption of SAP technologies to drive business value.
**Required technical and professional expertise**
* Experience:
* [15]+ years of extensive experience in SAP implementations, with a strong focus on solution architecture and design.
* [7]+ years in a lead architect or principal architect role, ideally across multiple full lifecycle SAP implementations.
* Demonstrated experience in large-scale S/4HANA transformations, including greenfield, brownfield, or hybrid approaches.
* Proven track record of designing complex solutions involving various SAP modules and integration points.

* Technical Expertise:
* Deep and broad functional and/or technical expertise across multiple SAP modules (e.g., FI/CO, SD, MM, PP, QM, WM, HCM, BW, CRM, SRM, EWM, TM).
* Expertise in SAP S/4HANA architecture, data model, and Fiori UX.
* Strong knowledge of SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) components (e.g., Integration Suite, Extension Suite, Analytics Cloud).
* Proficiency in SAP integration technologies (e.g., SAP CPI, PI/PO, API Management).
* Experience with cloud deployments of SAP (e.g., RISE with SAP, private/public cloud on hyperscalers like Azure, AWS, GCP).
* Understanding of data migration strategies (e.g., LTMC, BODS, custom programs).

* Certifications & Methodologies:
* Relevant SAP architectural certifications (e.g., SAP Certified Technology Associate/Professional - Enterprise Architect, S/4HANA certifications).
* Enterprise Architecture certifications (e.g., TOGAF) highly desirable.
* Proficiency in Agile, Scrum, and SAP Activate methodologies.

* Soft Skills:
* Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.
* Superior communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and engage diverse stakeholders (technical and business).
* Strong leadership capabilities with a proven ability to guide and mentor teams.
* Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, complex environment.
* Strong business acumen and ability to translate business needs into technical solutions.
IBM is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, caste, genetics, pregnancy, disability, neurodivergence, age, veteran status, or other characteristics.

IBM is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.

Required Skill Profession

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