Job Title: Lead Architect
Location: Remote
Start Date: Estimated 19 January 2026
Clearance: SC Clearance (or eligibility to obtain)
Day rate: £ 540
Role Overview
We are seeking a highly experienced Lead Architect to own the solution and technical architecture for a major platform and its new data-visualisation components. This role requires a strategic leader capable of embedding scalability, security, and performance into every aspect of the solution while guiding a multidisciplinary technical team. The ideal candidate will blend hands-on architectural expertise with strong leadership, governance, and stakeholder-management skills
Key Responsibilities
Architecture Leadership
* Own the end-to-end solution architecture for the platform, ensuring designs meet requirements for scalability, security, performance, and maintainability.
* Develop and maintain architectural standards and design principles in line with DSA architectural governance.
* Conduct architectural reviews, define best practices, and maintain clear, traceable documentation of technical decisions.
* Oversee the design of new data-visualisation components, ensuring optimal integration with existing systems.
Team Leadership & Delivery
* Lead and mentor a cross-functional technical team of six across Architecture, DevOps, Data Engineering, and Software Development.
* Ensure alignment to the project's technical strategy, promoting quality, consistency, and timely delivery.
* Act as an escalation point for technical blockers, providing guidance and direction to resolve complex issues.
* Support the growth and development of team members through coaching, knowledge sharing, and structured feedback.
Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement
* Work closely with Delivery Leads, Business Analysts, and Product Leads to shape and refine technical requirements.
* Advise on technical feasibility, delivery timelines, and risk management, ensuring well-informed decision-making.
* Support stakeholder engagement by communicating complex technical concepts in a clear, accessible way.
* Ensure all architectural decisions align with business objectives, user needs, and compliance requirements.
Required Skills & Experience
* Proven experience as a Lead Architect, Solutions Architect, or similar senior technical leadership role.
* Strong background designing scalable, secure, and high-performance platforms.
* Experience leading multidisciplinary technical teams and driving delivery in complex environments.
* Excellent understanding of architectural governance frameworks and documentation practices.
* Ability to manage competing priorities while maintaining high-quality outputs.
* Strong communication and stakeholder-management skills.
* SC Clearance or eligibility to obtain it.