Lead Innovation Architect

At SGS, we are the world's leading testing, inspection, and certification company, setting the global benchmark for sustainability, quality, and integrity. With a network of 2,650 offices and laboratories and a dedicated team of employees, we work together to create a better, safer, and more interconnected world.

Job Description

As Lead Innovation Architect you will analyze digital startups and established technology players to identify disruptions, assess their impact on SGS, and shape strategic responses. By evaluating build–buy–partner scenarios, supporting M&A due diligence, and designing conceptual solution architectures for new business models and digital services, the role helps define where SGS should play and how it should transform. You will work across Digital Trust and emerging digital domains to guide the development of new service concepts, SaaS offerings, and trust platforms

Key responsibilities:

• Analyse digital startups and tech players to gauge disruption potential, strategic fit, and opportunities for SGS.
• Support M&A evaluations by assessing technology approaches, solution maturity, and integration feasibility.
• Recommend where SGS should build internally, partner, invest, acquire, or launch new venture initiatives.
• Explore how emerging digital business models (e.g., SaaS, platforms, trust ecosystems) could reshape SGS's offerings.
• Benchmark SGS's current capabilities to identify gaps, risks, and opportunities for new digital services.
• Design conceptual end-to-end solution architectures for new ventures and service concepts.
• Evaluate build/buy/partner options, including effort estimates and capability needs.
• Perform strategic assessments such as SWOT, scenario analysis, and disruption comparisons.
• Assess feasibility of replicating external solutions internally and define resource requirements.
• Collaborate across business, operations, innovation, and IT teams to validate assumptions and shape viable concepts.
• Provide clear, actionable recommendations to senior stakeholders on where SGS should innovate, invest, or pivot.

Qualifications

Essential Experience:

• Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Technology Management, or a related field blending technology and business.
• Proven expertise in digital strategy, venture design, corporate innovation, or technology-driven business analysis, with a strong record of delivering impactful solutions.
• Deep conceptual understanding of modern digital architectures and emerging technologies — including AI (LLMs, agentic AI, GenAI platforms), automation frameworks, cloud-native patterns, data-centric architectures, and API ecosystems.
• Ability to translate complex technology trends into actionable business models, strategic recommendations, and build/buy/partner options for new ventures.
• Skilled at designing conceptual solution architectures and guiding prototype/MVP development with technical teams.
• Strong analytical and systems-thinking mindset — able to connect technology, business models, and strategic implications.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with experience engaging senior stakeholders and bridging business, IT, and innovation teams.
• Innovative, pragmatic, and highly curious about emerging technologies and digital business models.

Desirable Skills:

• Familiarity with trust-enabling technologies such as identity frameworks, zero-trust principles, federated data approaches, and quantum-safe methods.
• Experience engaging with startup ecosystems, venture incubation, or digital M&A assessments, including evaluating strategic and technical relevance.
• Understanding of cybersecurity, data governance, and compliance-by-design principles in digital service development.
• Ability to assess the maturity, scalability, and integration feasibility of digital solutions and startup technologies.
• Strong storytelling skills to shape strategic narratives around opportunities and risks.

Additional Information

Why SGS?

• Opportunity to work with a global leader in inspection, verification, testing, and certification.
• Collaborative and inclusive work environment.
• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development.

Join Us: At SGS, we are dedicated to fostering an open, friendly, and supportive culture that thrives on teamwork. We value diversity and provide endless opportunities to learn, grow your expertise, and fulfil your potential.