Full job descriptionTechnical ArchitectCentral Government Programme | Defence Environment
Andover HQ (2 days onsite per week)
£110,000 - £120,000 + package
SC Clearance required
OverviewAn opportunity has opened for a Technical Architect to join a high-security central government programme supporting a major defence-related capability. This is a hands-on architecture role where you will take ownership of complex system design across large-scale, secure environments, ensuring solutions are robust, compliant, and aligned to wider enterprise strategy.
You will operate across multi-disciplinary teams, providing technical leadership from early concept through to delivery, governance, and ongoing optimisation.
Key ResponsibilitiesYou will:
*Lead the end-to-end technical design of complex systems and services
*Define, review, and assure architectural solutions across the full delivery lifecycle
*Provide governance and technical oversight across development and integration activity
*Conduct impact assessments, design reviews, and risk evaluation of solution changes
*Translate business and technical requirements into scalable, secure architectures
*Ensure adherence to enterprise standards, security principles, and regulatory requirements
*Apply architectural principles across software, infrastructure, cloud, and integration layers
*Support secure solution design aligned to government and defence security standards
*Contribute to architecture boards, governance forums, and technical decision-making
*Provide mentoring, guidance, and architectural leadership to delivery teams
*Support pre-sales / bid activity including solution shaping, estimation, and client engagement
*Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend improvements across platforms and services
*Lead or support proof of concepts and technical demonstrations
Technical EnvironmentStrong experience required in:
*Secure Software Development Lifecycle (SSDLC)
*Cloud platforms (AWS or Azure)
*DevOps / CI/CD toolchains and practices
*Microservices and web services architecture
*REST, SOAP, JSON-based integrations
*Identity and access management (SAML, OAuth, OpenID Connect, Active Directory, LDAP, ADFS)
*Secure application development (Java or .NET)
*Agile delivery environments
*API-driven architectures
*Security frameworks and principles (OWASP, NCSC guidance)
*Data protection and GDPR-compliant design
Desirable Experience*Defence, central government or highly regulated environments
*SC cleared environments
*Data architecture and modern data platforms
*Real-time data integration, APIs, streaming or IoT
*AI or emerging technology solutions
*Public sector procurement / bid support exposure
*Industry certifications (AWS, Azure, Microsoft or equivalent)
About You*Has operated as a Technical Architect or Senior Solution Architect in complex environments
*Can operate across both hands-on technical design and stakeholder engagement
*Understands how to balance security, scalability, and delivery constraints
*Is confident working in governance-heavy, regulated environments
*Can influence senior stakeholders and translate complexity into clear decisions