Technical Architect - OT - Operational Technology
£700p/d - Outside IR35
Hybrid working with 2-3 days onsite in Preston
6 months initially, with possible extensions due to the long-term nature of the programme.
DV or SC Cleared required
An exciting opportunity has arisen with a highly recognised organisation in the defence sector, focused on transforming and modernising military and security infrastructure through data-driven digital transformation, battlefield management systems, and advanced cybersecurity.
About the role
As a Technical Architect you will be joining a bigger team of Security Architects delivering secure, mission-critical systems across the IT/OT environment for a defence client based in Preston.
You will be responsible for defining, designing, and governing the architecture of industrial and operational systems that control and monitor physical processes. The role ensures OT environments are secure, and acting as a technical authority across Industrial Control Systems (ICS), SCADA, and IIoT, the OT Architect provides strategic direction alongside hands-on architectural leadership.
Key Responsibilities
OT Architecture & Strategy
Support long-term OT roadmaps, modernization initiatives, and IT/OT convergence
Define and maintain OT architecture principles, standards, and reference designs
Design end-to-end OT solutions covering control systems, networks, data flows, and integrations
Ensure architectures meet safety, availability, and operational resilience requirements
Industrial Systems & Platforms
Architect solutions across ICS, SCADA, DCS, PLCs, and HMIs
Support integration of OT systems with enterprise IT, cloud, and data platforms
Define standards for industrial protocols (e.g. Modbus, OPC UA, DNP3, IEC 61850)
Enable secure adoption of IIoT and edge computing technologies
OT Cyber Security & Risk
Embed security-by-design into OT architectures
Define OT network segmentation, zoning, and access controls (Purdue Model / IEC 62443)
Conduct risk assessments, threat modeling, and architecture assurance reviews
Support compliance with safety and security regulations and standards
Reliability, Safety & Performance
Design for high availability, fault tolerance, and disaster recovery in OT environments
Ensure architectures support real-time performance and operational continuity
Align designs with functional safety and operational risk requirements
Support incident response and recovery planning for OT systems
Governance & Stakeholder Engagement
Act as the OT technical authority for projects and programmes
Collaborate with engineering, operations, IT, cyber security, and vendors
Review designs, vendor solutions, and system changes for architectural compliance
Produce clear architecture documentation, standards, and guidance
Required Skills & Experience
Strong experience with IT/OT environments and industrial control system architectures
Deep understanding of OT cyber security principles and standards
Experience with ICS/SCADA/DCS environments
Knowledge of industrial networking and protocols
Understanding of IT/OT integration and data flows
Proven experience designing or governing OT architectures in complex environments
Previous experience working on MOD and defence project is desired, but not essential
For more information and immediate consideration please apply today. Immediate interviews available.