Job Description
Job Title: DV Cleared Design Authority – Solution Architect
Location:Type: ContractSecurity Clearance: Active DV (Developed Vetting) Clearance requiredSalary / Rate: £700-£875
Role Overview:
We are seeking a highly experienced and security-cleared Design Authority – Solution Architect to lead the end-to-end technical architecture and assurance of critical systems in secure environments. This strategic role requires broad architectural expertise, stakeholder influence, and a strong understanding of delivering resilient, secure, and scalable enterprise solutions.
As a Design Authority, you will act as the primary technical decision-maker, ensuring that all design outputs are cohesive, compliant, and aligned with business goals, technology standards, and security requirements.
Key Responsibilities:
* Act as the technical design lead and final authority for all architectural decisions within the scope of the programme or solution
* Define, own, and maintain the solution architecture roadmap, ensuring coherence across platforms and services
* Provide governance and assurance across all architectural artefacts, including HLDs, LLDs, interface specifications, and design patterns
* Engage with stakeholders to ensure business, security, and operational requirements are effectively captured and translated into viable designs
* Lead architecture reviews, technical assessments, and design sign-off processes
* Oversee the selection and integration of technologies, platforms, and tools
* Ensure architecture adheres to best practices for security, performance, resilience, and scalability
* Collaborate with delivery, security, and operational teams to support implementation and ongoing evolution of the architecture
* Mitigate technical risks and ensure effective change control over the design baseline
Essential Skills & Experience:
* Active DV Clearance (Developed Vetting) is essential
* Proven experience in a Design Authority or Lead Architect role within secure or critical national infrastructure environments
* Strong background in enterprise solution architecture across infrastructure, application, and integration layers
* Deep knowledge of architectural frameworks and standards (e.g., TOGAF, SABSA, NIST)
* Track record of leading the technical design of complex, high-availability systems
* Experience working with cloud (AWS, Azure, or GCP), hybrid, and legacy platforms
* Excellent stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to bridge business and technical domains
* Skilled in producing high-quality architectural documentation and leading design reviews
* Strong awareness of security architecture principles and secure system design practices
Desirable:
* Relevant industry certifications (e.g., TOGAF, AWS/Azure Architect, CISSP, SABSA)
* Experience with DevSecOps and automated delivery pipelines
* Understanding of Zero Trust architecture and modern identity/access management models
* Experience in highly regulated industries such as finance, energy, aerospace, or telecoms
* Familiarity with agile and hybrid delivery methodologies