Solutions Architect

SkyTeam delivers digital capabilities that enable a seamless travel experience across its member airlines and partners. The Solution Architect is responsible for designing and governing technology solutions that support SkyTeam products, platforms, and member-facing initiatives. Working within SkyTeam's architecture standards, governance principles, and reference architectures, the role delivers scalable, secure, and maintainable solution designs that enable seamless experiences across airlines, partners, and technology providers.

The Solution Architect collaborates with business stakeholders, development teams, member airlines, and technology partners to translate business requirements into solution designs that support successful delivery and long-term maintainability.

KEY RESULT AREAS / KEY RESPONSIBILITES 

Solution Design & Architecture

• Create and maintain architecture and solution designs for complex internal and external connections between SkyTeam, member airlines, system providers, and related partners.
• Ensure solutions and products are aligned with SkyTeam’s architecture standards, governance principles, and reference architectures.
• Analyze complex business problems and translate business requirements into scalable, secure, and maintainable solution designs.
• Design cloud-based services, applications, integrations, and data-driven capabilities to support business objectives.
• Develop and manage domain-level architecture designs, specifications, and supporting documentation.
• Define or contribute to Non-Functional Requirements (NFRs), solution architecture, and vendor design requirements.

 
Solution Delivery & Governance

• Produce end-to-end solution designs that enable development teams and infrastructure specialists to successfully implement and operate solutions.
• Ensure detailed designs and implementations remain aligned with approved solution architecture throughout delivery.
• Review specifications, technical designs, and vendor deliverables to validate compliance with architectural standards.
• Provide input into test strategies, test plans, and service design considerations.
• Review test outcomes and support resolution of architecture-related issues throughout delivery.

 
Technology & Architecture Development

• Drive technical feasibility assessments and support informed technology decision making.
• Contribute to the development of SkyTeam architecture standards, security principles, and future architectural direction.
• Participate in architecture discussions and support the evolution of architecture practices, methods, and design approaches.
• Create and maintain conceptual, logical, and physical architecture models supporting future-fit and cross-member initiatives.

 
Stakeholder & Partner Collaboration

• Collaborate with business stakeholders, member airlines, technology providers, and delivery teams to ensure solutions meet business and operational requirements.
• Act as a trusted advisor to development teams throughout the solution lifecycle.
• Support adoption of SkyTeam-developed solutions by member airlines and partner organizations.
• Communicate architecture decisions, design considerations, and implementation guidance to technical and non-technical stakeholders.

MAIN INTERFACES & KEY CONTACTS

• Full-time position based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
• Hybrid working model requiring a minimum of three days per week in the SkyTeam office
• Occasional travel to member airlines, partners, and industry events may be required.
• SkyTeam project teams: Lead Solution Architect, Director Product Design & Development, Director Technology Strategy and IT Operations, CISO, Business Representatives, SkyTeam contractors and consultants.
• SkyTeam airline members: Business representatives and architects.
• External stakeholders: Vendors (for SkyTeam-enabled products), Cloud Provider representatives, and partners of member airlines.

Responsibilities and tasks of the position are not limited to the above mentioned, and deviations can occur at any point in time as the position evolves.

REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE 

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Software Engineering, or equivalent work experience.
• 5+ years of experience in solution architecture, domain architecture, software engineering, or related technology roles.
• Experience designing and documenting solution architectures for cloud-based, API-driven, and integration-heavy technology solutions.
• Experience working with business and technology stakeholders to translate business requirements into scalable and maintainable solution designs
• Knowledge of architecture modelling and documentation approaches, including UML, C4, ArchiMate, or similar methods.
• Experience working within Agile delivery environments and collaborating with development teams throughout the solution lifecycle.
• Understanding of non-functional requirements, including security, scalability, resilience, performance, and operational supportability. 
• Familiarity with cloud platforms, APIs, CI/CD practices, infrastructure-as-code, and modern software delivery approaches.
• Experience working with external vendors, technology providers, and distributed delivery teams.
• Airline industry experience is a plus.
  

Experience/knowledge in the following will stand out:

• Key airline processes, including distribution, ticketing, settlement, check-in, boarding, baggage, cargo quote/book, loyalty, and service recovery.
• Airline IT systems and standards, including PSS, reservation, ticketing, revenue accounting, ancillary services, inventory, DCS, loyalty/CEM, NDC, ONE Order, ONE Record, lounge access, payment, and settlement.
• Technology partners and industry bodies such as SITA, ATPCO, Amadeus, Sabre, and IATA.
• Architecture and data modelling.
• API design and implementation.
• AWS cloud services, cloud-native application development, and modern integration architectures.
• Exposure to analytics, AI-enabled solutions, and emerging digital technologies.

 
COMPETENCIES:
Solution Design & Architecture

• Ability to evaluate and design technology solutions that align with business requirements and architectural standards.
• Ability to create high-level solution designs, non-functional requirements, and architecture documentation.
• Ability to balance business needs, technical constraints, and operational considerations when making design decisions.
• Creative mindset, curiosity, and enthusiasm for solving complex problems.

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with business stakeholders, member airlines, vendors, and delivery teams.
• Ability to communicate architecture concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to engage stakeholders, manage expectations, and build alignment around solution decisions.
• Excellent presentation and facilitation skills.

Decision Making & Delivery

• Attention to detail combined with conceptual, visual, and analytical thinking.
• Result orientation and ability to work effectively under pressure while managing competing priorities.
• Ability to assess risks, evaluate options, and make sound solution design recommendations.

With Respect to SkyTeam Values

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to influence others.
• Collaborative team player who works effectively across cultures and geographies.
• Commitment to quality, continuous improvement, and customer-centric thinking.