Job Title: DV Cleared Design Authority Solution Architect Location: Type: Contract Security Clearance: Active DV (Developed Vetting) Clearance required Salary / Rate: £700-£875
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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
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