At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and delivery of secure, scalable solutions across multiple cloud environments.
- Company: Join the Ministry of Defence, a key player in national security and public procurement.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, impactful work, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a focus on innovation and collaboration in a hybrid work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in national security while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Experience in solution architecture and cloud technologies; SC clearance required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
On behalf of the MOD, we are looking for a Senior Solutions Architect Inside IR35 for a contract based hybrid Bristol. SC Clearance is an essential requirement for this role, as a minimum you must be willing & eligible to undergo checks. Preference may be given to candidates who meet all of the essential criteria and hold active SC clearance.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is a central government department with a mission to protect our country and provide the ultimate guarantee of its security and independence, as well as helping to protect its values and interests abroad. The MOD is one of the biggest public procurement organisations in Europe and the single largest customer for UK industry. It currently manages approximately £20 billion of spend on capital investments in equipment and infrastructure every year. Over the next decade the MOD is committed to spending over £190 billion on equipment and support.
The MOD's customers include both the armed forces and national security agencies, and it has a diverse range of requirements, including military fighting vehicles, education services, nuclear submarines and facilities management. The MOD's aim is to provide its armed forces with the best capabilities to enable them to protect the UK's security and advance national interests, both now and in the long term. To do this the MOD has an annual budget of almost £53 billion and a workforce comprising 197,000 people, of which 54,000 are civilians working for the UK MOD.
The work really matters; the MOD offers a range of engaging roles which have a direct impact on the quality of services they provide, in many locations across the UK. We support teams working in HR, Primary Health Care, Corporate Services, and many others.
As a Senior Solution Architect, your main responsibilities will be:
- Work with multiple stakeholders across the program and the Defence Digital to maintain the technical coherence and make sure the solutions are fully compliant and optimised.
- Lead the architecture, design, and delivery of secure, scalable, and resilient enterprise solutions across AWS, Azure, and Oracle Cloud environments.
- Define and implement optimised technical solutions aligned with business, operational, functional and non-functional and security requirements.
- Ensure the solutions are compliant with industry standards, GOV.UK service design standards, technical governance frameworks, and technical standards and Defence Digital architectural principles.
- Provide technical leadership across multiple projects and programmes within a complex multi-cloud ecosystem.
- Design and govern cloud-native and containerised solutions using Kubernetes and modern DevOps practices.
- Collaborate with engineering, security, delivery, and operational teams to ensure successful end-to-end solution implementation.
- Drive adoption of UCD, Agile, DevOps culture, CI/CD pipelines, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), automation, and platform engineering best practices.
- Support integration of enterprise systems, APIs, and data platforms, including Data Lake architectures and large-scale data integration solutions.
- Conduct architecture reviews, risk assessments, technical assurance, and solution governance activities.
- Produce high-quality architecture artefacts, including HLDs, LLDs, integration diagrams, and technical roadmaps.
Technical Skills:
- BizzDesign, ArchiMate, TOGAF, NATO Architecture Frameworks (NAF), Data Architecture, Data Modelling, UML, API, Open API Spec.
- AWS Cloud, Azure Cloud, Oracle Cloud.
- ETL, IBM WebMethods, Java, SpringBoot, NodeJS, API Gateway, Microservices, Webservices, WSDL, SOAP, Oracle DB.
- DevOps, Kubernetes, RedHat OpenShift, Docker, Tekton, GitHub, GitHub Actions, ArgoCD, Trivy Scan.
Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.
Disability Confident: As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, the MOD guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply.
Armed Forces Covenant: The MOD guarantees to interview veterans or spouses/partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates/military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group.
In applying for this role, you acknowledge the following: this role falls in scope of the Off Payroll Working in the Public Sector legislation. Any rates of payment quoted will reflect the gross rate per day for the assignment and will be subject to appropriate taxes and statutory costs.
Senior Solution Architect in Bristol employer: Alexander Mann Solutions - Public Sector Resourcing
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to the security and independence of the UK while working in a dynamic and impactful environment. With a commitment to employee growth, the MOD provides extensive training and development opportunities, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation. Located in Bristol, this role as a Senior Solution Architect allows you to engage with cutting-edge technologies and work alongside dedicated professionals who are passionate about making a difference.
Contact Details:
Alexander Mann Solutions - Public Sector Resourcing Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Solution Architect in Bristol
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who have experience with the MOD or similar roles. A friendly chat can lead to insider info and maybe even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your technical skills and understanding the MOD's mission. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs, especially around cloud solutions and security compliance.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! The MOD values candidates who can lead projects and collaborate across teams. Share examples of how you've successfully driven projects in the past.
✨Tip Number 4
Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we’re here to support you every step of the way in landing that Senior Solution Architect role.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Solution Architect in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the specific requirements of the Senior Solutions Architect role. We want to see how you can contribute to the MOD's mission!
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t hold back on showcasing your technical expertise! Mention your experience with AWS, Azure, Oracle Cloud, and any relevant frameworks like TOGAF or Kubernetes. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to read through your qualifications and achievements. We appreciate a well-structured application!
Apply Through Our Website:Remember to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Alexander Mann Solutions - Public Sector Resourcing
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you’re well-versed in the technical skills listed in the job description. Brush up on AWS, Azure, Oracle Cloud, and the various frameworks like TOGAF and NATO Architecture Frameworks. Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you’re not just familiar with them, but that you can lead projects effectively.
✨Understand the MOD's Mission
Familiarise yourself with the Ministry of Defence's goals and values. Knowing how your role as a Senior Solution Architect fits into their mission to protect the UK will help you articulate your passion for the position and demonstrate your commitment to their objectives.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to be asked about past experiences where you’ve led architecture design or managed complex multi-cloud environments. Prepare specific examples that highlight your problem-solving skills and ability to collaborate with diverse teams, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior Solution Architect, you’ll need to provide technical leadership. Be ready to discuss how you’ve driven adoption of best practices like Agile and DevOps in previous roles. Highlight any experience you have in mentoring others or leading cross-functional teams to success.
