Job Specification – SC Cleared Java Architect (Contract) – London Job Title: SC Cleared Java Architect Location: London (Hybrid – 2–3 days onsite per week, remainder remote) Contract Type: Contract (Outside IR35 preferred) Duration: 6–12 months (with potential extension) Clearance Requirement: Active SC (Security Clearance) – must be valid and transferable Role Overview We are seeking an experienced Java Architect with current SC clearance to join a large-scale transformation programme within a secure government/defence environment. The successful candidate will provide technical leadership, architectural direction, and hands-on expertise across Java-based platforms, ensuring solutions are robust, scalable, and compliant with security and regulatory standards. Key Responsibilities Define and own the Java application architecture and integration patterns. Provide technical leadership to development teams and ensure best practices are followed. Design, review, and optimise microservices and cloud-native architectures. Work closely with stakeholders, business analysts, and solution architects to translate requirements into high-level and low-level designs. Ensure solutions meet security, compliance, and performance requirements in line with government standards. Support the adoption of DevOps practices, CI/CD pipelines, and automated testing frameworks. Conduct architecture reviews, risk assessments, and technical governance. Mentor engineers and contribute to building a strong technical culture. Required Skills & Experience Active SC clearance (mandatory). Strong background as a Java Architect / Senior Java Developer with architecture responsibilities. Proven experience with: Java 11 / Spring Boot / Spring Cloud Microservices and containerisation (Docker, Kubernetes, OpenShift) Cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP) Messaging and integration technologies (Kafka, ActiveMQ, REST, GraphQL) Databases (SQL and NoSQL) Familiarity with enterprise integration patterns and secure system design. Experience working in Agile / DevOps environments. Strong understanding of security principles and data protection regulations. Excellent stakeholder communication and documentation skills. Desirable Skills Experience in government or defence projects. Exposure to CI/CD pipelines (Jenkins, GitLab, GitHub Actions). Knowledge of API management platforms. TOGAF or equivalent architecture certification. Contract Details Day Rate: Competitive (based on experience and market rate) Engagement: Outside IR35 (subject to assessment) Start Date: Immediate / within 4–6 weeks Location: London (Hybrid working)