Security Architect • Newport – 4 days per week onsite • 6 month contract initially • £85 per hour umbrella (inside IR35) • 35 hours per week – 4 days onsite and Fridays offsite Please note active SC clearance is required and applicants must be SOLE British nationals Join a high-profile defence programme where your expertise as a Security Architect will directly shape the protection of national security systems and platforms. This is a hands-on role for an architect who thrives in complex, high-assurance environments, working alongside government security authorities and engineering teams to deliver robust, secure solutions. Responsibilities • Design, develop, and maintain secure system architectures for MOD platforms, applications, and networks • Ensure alignment with relevant standards and frameworks including NIST SP 800-53, ISO 27001, JSP 440, DEF STAN 05-138, and NCSC guidance • Produce and maintain security documentation including Security Architecture Documents, Security Risk Assessments and Security Management Plans • Lead and support secure design reviews and contribute to engineering assurance gates • Liaise with security stakeholders (MOD, NCSC etc.), Information Assurance teams, and other stakeholders to support security assurance processes • Collaborate with engineering and development teams to ensure security requirements are met from the outset • Keep up to date of evolving threat landscapes and propose mitigations aligned with system requirements Skill Set Essential • Proven experience in cyber security architecture within a defence, aerospace, or critical national infrastructure environment • Strong knowledge of MOD security requirements (e.g. JSP 440, JSP 604, DEF STANs) • Good working knowledge and experience of Secure by Design • A robust background in security architectures, process and both industry and government compliances (e.g. ISO 27001, CE/CE) • Solid understanding of systems engineering principles and secure development lifecycles • Experience developing artefacts to support MOD security assurance • Hands-on knowledge of risk management frameworks (e.g. HMG IS1/IS2, NIST RMF) • Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal – able to present to technical and non-technical stakeholders Certifications • Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) • Certified Information Security Manager (CISM) • SABSA, TOGAF or equivalent architecture certifications