At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead architectural design for complex defence software systems and mentor technical teams.
- Company: Join CGI, a top-rated inclusive employer and global tech leader.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, excellent pension, private healthcare, and share scheme.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for career growth and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in defence while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in architecture and leadership in complex software systems.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
This job is with CGI, an inclusive employer and a member of my Gwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community. Please do not contact the recruiter directly.
- Principal Architect (DV Security Clearance)
- Position Description
The Space, Defence and Intelligence business unit in CGI is a true IT Systems Integrator.
We work, build, and operate bespoke, technically complex, mission-critical systems which help our clients keep us all safe and secure.
We bring innovation to our clients using proven and emerging technologies, agile delivery processes and our deep expertise across the breadth of space, defence, intelligence, aerospace and maritime, all underpinned by our end-to-end cyber capability.
We work collaboratively with global technology companies, cutting edge SMEs and academia to deliver the optimal solution for each client.
CGI was recognised in the Sunday Times Best Places to Work List 2025 and has been named one of the 'World's Best Employers' by Forbes magazine.
We offer a competitive salary, excellent pension, private healthcare, plus a share scheme (3.5% + 3.5% matching) which makes you a CGI Partner not just an employee.
We are committed to inclusivity, building a genuinely diverse community of tech talent and inspiring everyone to pursue careers in our sector, including our Armed Forces, and are proud to hold a Gold Award in recognition of our support of the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant.
Join us and you'll be part of an open, friendly community of experts.
We'll train and support you in taking your career wherever you want it to go.
Working closely with client stakeholders, delivery leaders, engineers and subject matter experts, you will help shape the overall approach for the engagement from a technology and process perspective focusing on the outcomes and value the client seeks.
To support this, you will establish effective architecture governance, guide the approach and methodologies across solution architecture, infrastructure, technical architecture, security architecture and the operating model for delivery.
You will work to support continuous improvement by identifying areas of opportunity and help introduce innovation in a controlled and pragmatic way within a secure defence environment.
Due to the secure nature of the programme, you must be a sole UK National and currently hold UK Higher Level Clearance.
This position will require you to be onsite in Chippenham 5 days per week.
Your future duties and responsibilities
Key responsibilities include
- Provide principal architectural leadership and act as technical authority or design authority for a complex, secure defence software system.
- Own and evolve the overall solution architecture, ensuring it remains resilient, secure, maintainable and aligned to operational needs.
- Work with senior stakeholders both internal and external to the project, ensuring that the project and solution is accurately represented from a technology and methodology perspective.
- Lead, coach and mentor architects, technical leads, engineers and subject matter experts, building technical capability and confidence across the team.
- Establish and run effective architecture governance, including design principles, decision records, technical assurance, review forums and escalation routes.
- Understand and interpret requirements involving complex mathematics, physics, scientific modelling and operational constraints.
- Translate client needs, mission outcomes and technical drivers into coherent architectural designs, roadmaps and delivery priorities.
- Guide architectural decisions across software, integration, data, tooling, environments, deployment approaches and service operations.
- Support delivery methodology, helping teams improve engineering practices, quality, governance, Dev Sec Ops adoption and ways of working.
- Ensure solutions meet security, assurance, resilience, maintainability and operational continuity requirements.
- Required qualifications to be successful in this role
Essential experience and skills
Proven experience as a Principal Architect, Lead Architect, Chief Architect, Design Authority or Senior Solution Architect on complex software intensive systems.
- Experience leading, coaching or developing architects, technical leads, engineers or multidisciplinary technical teams.
- Experience with people management, technical capability development, communities of practice, recruitment or succession planning.
- Experience owning or shaping the architecture of systems involving scientific, engineering, mathematical, physics based or algorithmic components.
- Experience establishing architecture governance, technical standards, design assurance and decision making frameworks.
- Experience working in secure, regulated or operationally sensitive environments.
- Strong senior stakeholder engagement skills, including with executive, senior military or equivalent client stakeholders, including the ability to explain complex technical issues clearly to non technical audiences.
Desirable experience
- Defence, maritime, submarine, nuclear, targeting, command and control or mission critical systems experience.
- Experience with legacy system sustainment, modernisation, transition or service evolution.
- Experience working in Agile, Dev Ops or Dev Sec Ops delivery environments.
- Experience introducing innovation, automation, AI, data exploitation or improved tooling into secure environments.
- Experience supporting bids, solution shaping, technical strategy or client advisory activity for defence clients.
- #LI-FP1
Together, as owners, let's turn meaningful insights into action.
Life at CGI is rooted in ownership, teamwork, respect and belonging. Here, you'll reach your full potential because...
You are invited to be an owner from day 1 as we work together to bring our Dream to life.
That's why we call ourselves CGI Partners rather than employees.
We benefit from our collective success and actively shape our company's strategy and direction.
Your work creates value.
You'll develop innovative solutions and build relationships with teammates and clients while accessing global capabilities to scale your ideas, embrace new opportunities, and benefit from expansive industry and technology expertise.
You'll shape your career by joining a company built to grow and last.
You'll be supported by leaders who care about your health and well-being and provide you with opportunities to deepen your skills and broaden your horizons.
That same commitment to fairness extends to how we use technology.
To support our recruitment team, AI tools may be used to help assess applications though they never replace human judgement.
All hiring decisions remain entirely in the hands of our recruitment professionals.
Come join our team-one of the largest IT and business consulting services firms in the world.
Principal Architect (DV Security Clearance) employer: CGI
CGI is an exceptional employer that fosters a culture of inclusivity and collaboration, making it a great place for Senior Programme Managers to thrive. With a commitment to professional growth, competitive benefits including a share scheme, and recognition as one of the UK's Best Employers, CGI offers a supportive environment where you can lead transformative projects in the energy sector while working alongside talented colleagues in Aberdeen. Join us to not only advance your career but also to be part of a community that values diversity and innovation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Architect (DV Security Clearance)
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
Get out there and mingle with fellow developers by joining local tech meetups. It’s a fantastic way to meet people who might be working at CGI or know someone who does. Plus, you can pick up some trendy tech skills and trends while you're at it!
✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
Show off your coding chops by jumping into open-source projects. Not only does this give you practical experience, but it also gets you noticed in the dev community. You'll create a killer portfolio that speaks volumes about your skills to CGI.
✨Tap into Online Developer Communities
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✨Explore Job Boards Specifically for Tech Roles
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We think you need these skills to ace Principal Architect (DV Security Clearance)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your coding skills:When applying for a software engineering role, it's super important to showcase your coding skills. Make sure your CV includes your tech stack, any relevant programming languages you’re comfortable with, and examples of projects you've worked on. If you have a GitHub profile, link it up! We love to see code in action.
Tailor your portfolio:For a full-time role, we’d expect to see some solid examples of your work in your portfolio. Make sure to include at least two or three projects that highlight your problem-solving skills and your ability to work with different technologies. Focus on the projects that are most relevant to the position at CGI.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at CGI and how your skills align with the role. Show us your passion for software development. We dig enthusiastic candidates who understand the value of collaboration and continuous learning!
Be clear and concise:When it comes to writing your CV and cover letter, clarity is key. Avoid jargon that could confuse us and stick to simple, direct language. Highlight your achievements with quantifiable results where possible, and keep everything easy to read. A well-organised application goes a long way!
How to prepare for a job interview at CGI
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a full-time software engineering role, it's crucial that we stay sharp with our coding abilities. Expect technical questions that might involve solving problems on the spot or discussing algorithms. Practise on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank to get comfortable with the types of questions that often come up.
✨Know Your Tools and Frameworks
Make sure we’re well-acquainted with the tools and technologies listed in the job description. Familiarise ourselves with any specific frameworks or programming languages mentioned. If CGI uses React or Node.js, for instance, be ready to discuss how we’ve used them in previous projects or coursework.
✨Showcase Your Projects
Bring along a portfolio that highlights our best work. This could be code samples, GitHub repositories, or any side projects we’ve built. Make sure we can talk through our thought process for each project, especially the challenges we faced and how we solved them—this shows our problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
While technical skills are key, full-time positions also require cultural fit. Be ready to discuss our previous experiences and how we handle teamwork, conflict, and deadlines. Brush up on the STAR method—Situation, Task, Action, Result—to clearly articulate our past experiences when discussing how we've contributed to a team.
