At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and integration of innovative digital engineering solutions in aerospace and defence.
- Company: Join a leading aerospace and defence organisation with a focus on cutting-edge technology.
- Benefits: Competitive hourly rate, remote work flexibility, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with exposure to the latest digital engineering concepts and methodologies.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact in the aerospace sector while working with advanced digital technologies.
- Qualifications: Strong experience in enterprise architecture and active SC clearance required.
The predicted salary is between 91.75 - 91.75 £ per hour.
Location: Reading, Berkshire
Rate: Up to £91.75/hour
Clearance: Active SC is mandatory
The opportunity
We're seeking an Enterprise Architect to support sensitive aerospace and defence programmes in Reading. This contract position focuses on Digital Engineering, with responsibility for integrating Virtual Environment solutions across the wider Digital Engineering landscape - covering people, process, and technology.
You'll act as the focal point for Virtual Environment architecture, providing expert guidance across the delivery organisation and helping drive governance, reuse, and secure-by-design principles across the lifecycle.
What you'll be doing (key responsibilities)
- Develop and maintain high-level and low-level designs (HLD/LLD).
- Provide architectural leadership across people, process, and technology for Virtual Environment / Digital Engineering.
- Support delivery of Digital Twin / Digital Thread, virtual testing, qualification/certification, and training solutions.
- Apply modelling & simulation principles including real-time/time-domain simulation and 'fail first' integration philosophy.
- Translate architecture policies and risk requirements into actionable design standards, governance, and compliance frameworks.
- Support architectural governance, security, regulatory and audit requirements.
- Write and manage RFI and RFQ, and contribute to tool/platform evaluations and proofs of concept.
- Work closely with Product Owners, Delivery Managers, engineering teams, IT, and suppliers - managing stakeholder expectations and delivery impacts.
What we're looking for (requirements)
- Strong Enterprise / Business Architecture experience within MOD, Defence Digital, or UK aerospace/defence environments.
- Active SC clearance (mandatory); DV preferred.
- Experience across enterprise, system, data, and technical architecture.
- Strong understanding of digital engineering concepts (digital twins, digital thread, virtual environments, simulation).
- Experience architecting IT software development environments and working across the systems engineering lifecycle.
- Degree in a relevant discipline (Computer Science / IT / Engineering / Maths/Stats or similar) plus architecture certifications such as TOGAF / ArchiMate / CISSP / cloud architecture.
- Desirable / nice to have: Microsoft Azure certification/experience, SAFe / Agile delivery experience, Exposure to CI/CD, DevSecOps, Knowledge of Docker / Kubernetes, Reporting/analytics tools (e.g., Power BI), Flight simulation / synthetic environments exposure.
We're Hiring: Enterprise Architect (Work from home) (remote) in Reading employer: Defence
As a Senior Network Engineer at our Basildon location, you will be part of a dynamic team dedicated to supporting critical defence projects. We pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative work culture that encourages innovation and professional growth, offering unique opportunities to work on cutting-edge technology in a secure environment. With a focus on employee development and a commitment to meaningful work, we provide an excellent platform for those looking to make a significant impact in the defence sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land We're Hiring: Enterprise Architect (Work from home) (remote) in Reading
✨Join Aerospace Forums and Groups
Get involved in aerospace engineering forums and online communities, like the AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). It's a great way to meet industry peers and stay updated on job openings and trends in the field.
✨Attend Industry Conferences
Keep an eye on upcoming aerospace conferences and events where you can network with professionals and showcase your interest. Events like the Farnborough International Airshow are not just about flying machines; they're a goldmine for connections and potential job leads.
✨Spotlight Your Projects
Make sure to highlight any hands-on experience or projects on your portfolio that showcase your skills in aerospace engineering. Employers love seeing practical applications of theoretical knowledge. Show us what you've got!
✨Apply Directly on Company Websites
When you find companies you want to work for, head straight to their careers page to apply for full-time roles, like the one with Defence for a We're Hiring: Enterprise Architect (Work from home) (remote). This often puts your application in front of the right people faster than just waiting for job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace We're Hiring: Enterprise Architect (Work from home) (remote) in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Technical Skills:When applying for the aerospace engineering role at Defence, make sure to highlight your technical expertise. Include specific software skills, like CAD tools or simulation software, and any relevant engineering projects you’ve worked on. This is your chance to really shine and showcase your engineering toolkit!
Don't Skip Your Projects!:Include a section in your CV dedicated to projects that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities in aerospace engineering. Whether it's a university project, an internship, or personal work, we love seeing how you’ve applied your skills in real-world scenarios. Make it clear what your role was and the impact of the project.
Show Your Passion in Your Cover Letter:At Defence, we're not just looking for skills – we want to know why you’re passionate about aerospace engineering. Use your cover letter to express what excites you about aviation technology and your career goals. Share any relevant experiences or inspirations that have led you to apply for this full-time position.
Tailor Your CV for Aerospace:Make sure your CV is specifically tailored to aerospace engineering. Focus on your education, any certifications, and your work experience, ensuring you highlight aspects that relate directly to the role. Don’t forget to mention any internships or apprenticeships that have given you hands-on experience.
How to prepare for a job interview at Defence
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Knowledge
Aerospace engineering is all about technical precision, so make sure you’re comfortable with key concepts like aerodynamics, propulsion, and materials science. We recommend going through any relevant coursework or projects you’ve worked on – these real-world examples can illustrate your understanding during the interview with Defence.
✨Showcase Your Projects with Confidence
Make sure to have a portfolio ready that details any significant projects you've worked on, whether it’s a group assignment or a personal endeavour. Be prepared to discuss the challenges you faced, the tools you used, like CAD software, and what you learned from the experience, as this will show your problem-solving skills in action.
✨Prepare for Technical Interviews
Expect some technical questions or even problem-solving exercises during your interview with Defence. Get familiar with design challenges or theoretical problems related to aerospace; this can range from calculating lift and drag forces to materials selection under stress. Practising these can help you feel more at ease when faced with tricky questions.
✨Emphasise Your Passion and Teamwork Skills
As a full-time candidate, it’s crucial to convey your passion for aerospace engineering and your ability to work in teams. Highlight any group projects or internships you've done, focusing on how you collaborated with others to achieve a goal. Companies like Defence love seeing candidates who not only have technical skills but also fit well within their team culture.
