Freelance klantspecifiek RKITEK

Context

As part of its organisational and digital transformation strategy, the client is strengthening its internal digital capabilities to modernise its information systems and support its business departments.

The Agency is developing an integrated, secure and sustainable digital environment, supported by stronger architecture and software delivery practices.

In this context, the client is seeking an experienced Solution Architect / Lead Developer to define implementable solutions, lead the technical delivery team and ensure successful deployment into production.

Mission

The Solution Architect / Lead Developer owns the technical side of delivery. This is not an advisory-only architecture role: you design the solution, you make the technical calls, you keep the team unblocked, and you remain accountable for what goes into production.

• Own the target architecture (application, integration, data, security) and keep it implementable by a small engineering team.

• Lead the technical side of delivery: refinement, estimates, definition of done, stand-ups, and technical risk management.

• Translate business needs into a backlog the team can execute, and protect scope when technical debt or risk would otherwise be ignored.

• Coach medior developers, review designs and code, and raise the quality bar without becoming a bottleneck.

• Define and enforce standard engineering practices: Git, branching, CI/CD, automated tests, environments, and release discipline.

• Be the technical counterpart for the client, product, infrastructure and security stakeholders.

• Produce and maintain living architecture artefacts (SAD, ADRs, diagrams, interface contracts).

• Identify risks early (security, performance, operability, vendor lock-in, delivery) and drive mitigation through to production.

Profile

• 8+ years in software engineering, including 3+ years actually leading the technical side of a delivery — as tech lead, lead developer or solution architect on a live project. Architecture-only / slide-only profiles will not be retained.

• Proven track record of taking a solution from design to production with a team, not only writing a target picture.

• Confirmed on Azure (or an equivalent public cloud) and comfortable in hybrid setups.

• Confirmed in Java or Python (one is enough; both is a plus); able to read, review and guide work in the other.

• Solid DevOps culture: CI/CD, Git, automated tests, and enough infrastructure-as-code literacy to review pipelines and environments.

• Security by design: identity, secrets, least privilege, encryption, and data protection.

• Clear, direct communicator in English. French and/or Dutch is a plus.

Assets

• Azure certifications (AZ-204, AZ-305) or equivalent practical evidence.

• Containers (Docker) and orchestration (AKS / Kubernetes) at Confirmed level.

• Infrastructure as Code (Bicep, OpenTofu).

• Experience in regulated or public-sector delivery in Belgium.

Locations

• Main address 1000 Bruxelles

• Remote option Hybrid

Skills

• Agile - Level   Advanced - 1 to 3 years ago

• Architecture and Technical Applications - Level   Expert  -  1 to 3 years ago

• Azure Level   Advanced -  1 to 3 years ago

• CI/CD - Azure DevOps - Level   Advanced   1 to 3 years ago

• Security by Design - Level   Advanced   1 to 3 years ago

• technical leadership - Level   Expert   1 to 3 years ago

Languages

• Dutch or FrenchLevel   Native or bilingual proficiency

• EnglishLevel   Full professional proficiency

Questions - max 500 characters / answer

1. Do you commit to working on site in Brussels at least three days per week throughout the assignment?

2. Have you previously delivered a software or digital transformation assignment in a public-sector or regulated organisation?

2.1 Briefly describe the organisation, its constraints and your responsibilities.

3. Have you personally led the technical delivery (Pipeline, CI/CD) of at least one solution from initial design through to production deployment and handover to operations?

3.1 Describe the context, team size, your responsibilities and the outcome.

4. Have you previously combined solution architecture responsibilities with hands-on involvement in development and code reviews within the same assignment?

4.1 Provide one example explaining what you personally designed, developed or reviewed.

5. Have you previously led and coached a small development team while remaining directly involved in delivery?

5.1 Specify the team size and explain how you supported developers and resolved technical blockers.

6. Have you personally managed a significant technical issue during a production rollout or in a live service, coordinating its resolution and subsequent corrective actions?

6.1 Briefly describe the issue, your decisions and the outcome.

7. Can you provide two verifiable professional references for comparable assignments that you personally carried out?

7.1 Specify the relevant assignments and the role of each referee.