SAP Principal Solution Architect - Defence

Introduction

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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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

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.