Technical Architect

Technical 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