Solution Architect

Solution Architect - Defence / Secure Networks

Location: Corsham / Hybrid
Rate: Up to £700 inside IR35
Contract: 6 months initially, with a likely extension
Clearance: Active SC required, with willingness to undergo DV

We are seeking an experienced Solution Architect to join a high-profile Defence programme, providing architectural leadership across the design, integration, validation and transition of secure, mission-critical networking and interoperability capabilities.

This is a senior architecture role working across technical teams, security specialists, stakeholders and programme leadership to translate complex operational and interoperability requirements into robust, secure technical solutions.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the development of High-Level Designs (HLDs), Low-Level Designs (LLDs), architectural assessments and technical roadmaps.
Define secure solution architectures supporting information exchange, interoperability, metadata-based information handling and policy-based information control.
Design solutions incorporating Federated Identity and Access Management (FIAM), IAM, PKI, trust frameworks and Data Centric Security.
Ensure architectural compliance with Defence standards, security policies and interoperability requirements.
Support technology selection, integration planning and technical design assurance.
Provide architectural governance throughout design, build, integration, testing and transition.
Conduct technical risk assessments and architecture reviews.
Work closely with engineering teams to ensure designs are successfully implemented.
Support interoperability testing, validation and stakeholder demonstrations.
Produce and maintain architecture documentation, technical reports and reference architectures.

Essential Experience

5+ years' experience in Solution Architecture, ideally across complex infrastructure, networking, interoperability or secure information systems.
Proven experience delivering enterprise-scale technical solutions from concept through implementation and transition.
Strong HLD/LLD and architectural documentation experience.
Experience designing secure solutions within Defence, Government, NATO or other highly regulated environments.
Strong understanding of interoperability architectures, federation and coalition information sharing.
Experience designing solutions across multiple security domains.
Knowledge of Data Centric Security, policy-based information control and metadata-based handling.
Strong experience with IAM/FIAM, RBAC and PKI.
Experience conducting architecture assessments, technical risk assessments and technology evaluations.
Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
Active SC clearance and willingness to undergo DV clearance.

Desirable

Defence Digital / MOD / NATO experience.
Experience with Federation Mission Networking (FMN) or coalition interoperability programmes.
Knowledge of FMN Spiral 6, Data Centric Interoperability (DCI) or similar capabilities.
Experience with secure accredited solutions.
Knowledge of Zero Trust and Secure by Design.
Experience with virtualised, cloud or hybrid infrastructure.
Security accreditation experience.
Agile/SAFe and Waterfall delivery experience.
Jira and Confluence experience.
TOGAF, BCS, CISSP, SABSA or equivalent certification.

If this role is of interest, apply now or email your CV to me directly at (url removed)