Senior Enterprise Architect (EU Data & Interoperability)

Job description

We are looking for a Senior Enterprise Architect to help shape the technical and functional architecture of the Simpl Programme, a strategic European initiative focused on enabling secure, interoperable, and future-ready data spaces. In this role, you will provide architectural leadership across Simpl-Open and its wider ecosystem. You will help ensure consistency between functional and technical architecture, support integration with other European platforms and initiatives, and translate regulatory, interoperability, and security requirements into scalable technical solutions. Working in a complex, multi-stakeholder environment, you will connect policy, architecture, security, and technology , collaborating with European institutions, programme governance teams, technical experts, and delivery partners. Key Responsibilities Architecture Definition: Define, maintain, and evolve the functional and technical architecture for Simpl-Open, including component architectures, data flows, interfaces, and deployment models. Architecture Governance: Ensure architectural consistency across the programme and contribute to architecture principles, standards, design decisions, and lifecycle governance. EU Interoperability: Align architectural choices with relevant European interoperability standards and frameworks, including CIM, SAREF, AS4, EIRA, and eGovERA. Programme Collaboration: Work closely with the Simpl Programme Support Office and other programme stakeholders on quality assurance and lifecycle governance, incorporating relevant programme guidelines and development standards. Ecosystem Integration: Support the integration of Simpl services with DOME and relevant European initiatives such as GAIA-X, EuroHPC, and AI Factories. Security & Privacy: Embed Security-by-Design and Privacy-by-Design principles into architecture decisions and contribute to alignment with applicable requirements such as GDPR, eIDAS, the Data Act, and relevant cybersecurity requirements. Federated Architecture: Promote open standards, modular building blocks, federated architecture principles, connectors, and trust frameworks that enable interoperability across distributed ecosystems. Technical Guidance: Provide architectural guidance to technical and delivery teams, assessing solution designs and helping resolve complex architecture and integration challenges. Stakeholder Engagement: Facilitate architecture discussions and workshops with EU stakeholders, contractors, technical experts, and governance bodies. Architecture Communication: Translate complex architecture decisions into clear recommendations, documentation, and roadmaps for both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Your Experience & Expertise Extensive experience in enterprise architecture, solution architecture, or a comparable technical leadership role , ideally within complex, distributed, or multi-stakeholder environments. Strong understanding of federated architectures, data spaces, cloud-to-edge environments, and interoperability principles . Experience with architecture frameworks and modelling approaches such as TOGAF, ArchiMate, and BPMN . Knowledge of European interoperability frameworks, open standards, or open-source ecosystems is a strong advantage. Experience designing solutions with security, privacy, and regulatory requirements in mind, including familiarity with GDPR, NIS2, and ISO 27001. Understanding of multi-cloud environments , such as Microsoft Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud, as well as container orchestration and API-driven integration. Experience working with Agile delivery models, DevSecOps, and CI/CD practices and governance . Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to explain architecture decisions to both technical and non-technical audiences. Professional working proficiency in English . Knowledge of French or Dutch is an advantage. Certifications Relevant certifications are considered an advantage, for example: TOGAF ArchiMate Microsoft Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud architecture certifications ISO 27001 CISSP Equivalent knowledge demonstrated through relevant professional experience is equally valued. Security Clearance Depending on the assignment and access requirements, eligibility to obtain the required EU or Belgian security clearance may be necessary . Our employees are known for making bold choices and delivering results. Work among high-level professionals at the forefront of corporate software solutions and innovation at Europe’s Leading Digital Service Provider. We offer a generous employee benefits package that includes: A competitive salary and an indefinite contract A company car or mobility budget Comprehensive insurance coverage (hospitalisation, outpatient care and group insurance) 32 days paid time off (20 days + 12 bonus days) Laptop, phone and mobile subscription Continuous learning opportunities through the Sopra Steria Academy to support your career development People are the cornerstone of our success. That’s why we aspire to be bold together. Our goal is to provide healthy team environments to build high-functioning teams that inspire and help each other to deliver excellence for our customers. Excited about this job opportunity? Ready to shape the world with us? Great! We are looking forward to your application! ______ Sopra Steria is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to age, ancestry, nationality, color, family or medical leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, gender (including pregnancy), sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. We foster a work environment that is inclusive and respectful of all differences. Sopra Steria offers tailored, end-to-end corporate technology and software solutions to help clients make bold choices and deliver results. Successfully so! With more than 51.000 colleagues in 30 countries, we rank as Europe’s leading digital solutions provider. Some of the most successful companies in Europe rely on our technology due to our commitment to innovation, collaboration, and value in business development. The world is how we shape it. Let’s shape it together.