Solutions Architect

System Architect (Consultant) - Next-Generation Platform Transformation Location: Stockholm, Sweden - regular on-site presence expected to gather context efficiently from teams and stakeholders, with some flexibility on exact cadence Contract type: Consultancy/interim, initial 3 months - strong likelihood of extension into the implementation phase Reports to: Head of Product Start date: ASAP About the Assignment Our company operates three web platforms that were built some time ago on legacy, non-cloud infrastructure. As the business has grown, these platforms have become increasingly difficult to maintain, don’t scale the way our customers now need, and fall short of what a modern cloud architecture should offer. (Among other gaps, they also wouldn’t meet the upcoming EU Cyber Resilience Act - one factor among several driving this project, but not the main one.) We’re bringing in a senior System Architect to take an honest, hands-on look at hat exists today, determine what can realistically be salvaged or reused, and design the architecture for a next-generation platform. This is a foundational, high-visibility engagement: the quality of the assessment and architecture produced in these first months will directly shape how - and how successfully - we rebuild. If the engagement is successful, there is a strong likelihood it will extend into the implementation phase. What You’ll Do

• Assess the current state. Dig into the three existing platforms - codebase, infrastructure, data, and integrations - to understand what’s actually there, not just what the documentation says.
• Make the reuse call. Identify which components, modules, or logic are worth salvaging versus what should be rebuilt from scratch, based on both technical quality and business value.
• Design the target architecture. Sketch a scalable, modern cloud-native architecture for the next generation platform, built to grow with the business - considering serverless where appropriate, modularity, API-first design, SSO/identity, security, and data migration strategy.
• Think beyond pure software. One of our products is an IoT device that connects to the platform over 4G - factor its connectivity, data flow, and integration constraints into the architecture from the start, rather than bolting it on later.
• Zoom in and out. Operate comfortably at the strategic level (setting direction, making the case to leadership) and at the code level (reviewing actual implementation to validate assumptions).
• Communicate and align. Present findings, trade-offs, and recommendations clearly to the Head of Product and other stakeholders, and build enough shared understanding that the eventual build team can execute against your architecture with confidence.

What We’re Looking For

• 12+ years of experience in software/systems architecture, including significant time spent modernizing or replacing legacy systems.
• Broad, credible knowledge across: cloud-native and serverless architectures, software modularity, API design, SSO/identity, security best practices, and data migration.
• Working familiarity with hardware and IoT concepts - enough to ask the right questions and spot constraints, not necessarily deep embedded systems expertise. Experience with device connectivity over cellular networks (4G/LTE) is a strong plus, as one of our products is an IoT device connecting to the platform this way.
• Demonstrated ability to read and critically evaluate existing codebases, not just design on a whiteboard.
• Strong communication skills - equally comfortable setting direction with product/business leadership and getting into technical detail with engineers.
• A pragmatic, decisive mindset: comfortable making reuse-vs-rebuild calls under some ambiguity and time pressure.
• Prior experience in interim/consultancy architecture roles is a plus.
• Fluent English required; Swedish is a plus but not required