Senior Solution Architect - Business Analysis (Freelance possible)

This role supports highly sensitive investigations and operational activities in a specialised environment where telecom and IT solutions are mission-critical.

You will join a multidisciplinary team working on the reliability, optimisation and ongoing evolution of critical business and telecommunications applications. In this position, you act as the link between operational stakeholders, IT teams, developers, infrastructure specialists and telecom experts, translating business needs into secure, scalable and sustainable technical solutions.

🛠️ Responsibilities:

Business analysis & requirements management

• Analyse, challenge and formalise business needs related to telecom and IT applications.
• Translate operational and technical requirements into clear functional and technical specifications.
• Perform impact analyses, feasibility studies and risk assessments.
• Map and improve existing processes using AS-IS / TO-BE approaches.
• Work closely with stakeholders to ensure alignment and consistency across solutions.
• Support change management activities, functional validation and test phases.

Solution architecture & technical design

• Design end-to-end solution architectures aligned with business objectives, technical capabilities, enterprise standards and operational constraints.
• Create and maintain architecture deliverables such as solution designs, architecture diagrams, integration flows, sequence diagrams and technical specifications.
• Define application, data, integration and process architectures for new and existing solutions.
• Shape target-state architectures that close identified gaps while remaining feasible within organisational and technical constraints.
• Define and validate application, data and integration architectures, including APIs, authentication mechanisms, connectivity models and interactions with internal and external systems.
• Document and challenge non-functional requirements, including availability, performance, scalability, security, resilience, maintainability and auditability.
• Assess architectural options, technologies and integration patterns by weighing feasibility, trade-offs, risks, costs and long-term sustainability.
• Ensure smooth integration between telecom platforms, business applications, databases, middleware, APIs and external systems in line with security, governance, regulatory and operational requirements.
• Contribute to architecture reviews, technology roadmaps, Proof of Technologies (PoTs), Proof of Concepts (PoCs) and technical feasibility assessments.
• Work closely with development teams throughout the full solution lifecycle, providing guidance on architectural principles, integration standards, design patterns and software engineering best practices.
• Support solution design decisions involving cloud technologies, microservices, APIs, event-driven architectures, databases, automation platforms and DevOps / CI-CD practices.
• Use hands-on technical insight to understand code structures, integration mechanisms, data models and development constraints, and to challenge and guide implementation teams effectively.

Coordination & operational support

• Support the design, testing, deployment and implementation of new solutions.
• Troubleshoot application and system performance issues together with colleagues and technical teams.
• Help safeguard the stability, efficiency and reliability of critical business solutions.
• Produce and maintain clear documentation, including procedures, technical specifications, test plans, user guides and support material.
• Take ownership of assigned work, identify risks and escalate when needed.

Collaboration & communication

• Work effectively in a multilingual and interdisciplinary environment.
• Communicate complex business and technical topics clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Act as a trusted advisor by balancing functional needs with architectural and technical considerations.
• Facilitate discussions and support decision-making by presenting options, risks, trade-offs and recommendations in a structured way.
• Promote knowledge sharing and continuous improvement across architecture, development and operational practices.
• Contribute as a team player while remaining capable of working independently.

📝 Your profile

• Proven experience in a role such as Business Analyst, Solution Architect, Technical Business Analyst, Application Architect or a similar function focused on solution design, system integration and stakeholder management.
• Strong understanding of application architecture, enterprise systems, system integration and the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC).
• Experience working closely with development, DevOps, infrastructure and business teams.
• Experience designing and documenting complex solutions, including architecture diagrams, process models, technical specifications and integration architectures.
• Solid knowledge of modern technologies and architectural principles, including cloud platforms, APIs, microservices, integration patterns, SQL/NoSQL databases and non-functional requirements.
• Experience assessing technical solutions and architectural alternatives through feasibility studies, technology evaluations and Proof of Concepts in complex environments.
• Ability to translate business needs into functional and technical requirements.
• Experience with testing, validation and application deployment.
• Knowledge of Agile methodologies such as Scrum and Kanban is an asset.
• Familiarity with modelling tools such as BPMN and UML is a plus.
• Strong analytical skills, leadership qualities and critical thinking.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks or projects simultaneously.
• Pragmatic and solution-oriented in technical and functional challenges.
• Curious, proactive and eager to learn new technologies.
• Strong communication and documentation skills.
• Discrete, stress-resistant and reliable in sensitive environments.
• Ability to work with multilingual and interdisciplinary teams.
• Fluent in French or Dutch, with a solid understanding of the other language.
• Good command of written and spoken technical English.
• Knowledge of telecom technologies is a strong asset, in particular mobile networks (2G/3G/4G/5G), VoIP, SIP, IMS and IP data communication.
• A TOP SECRET security clearance is required for this position, in line with the applicable legal framework.

Presence at the office is expected at least three days per week. Telework is permitted.

💼 Offer

You will be part of a growing Belgian SME where initiative and personal development are encouraged. We will provide you with an enjoyable work environment with fun colleagues. We will work out a career plan with you, with attention and a budget for extra education/certification. You can count on an attractive salary, supplemented with extra-legal benefits, including a company car.
(Freelance is also possible)