At a Glance
- Tasks: Join a team delivering cutting-edge cloud, data, and software solutions for National Security.
- Company: Dynamic engineering-led SMEs and consultancies in the National Security space.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Explore diverse roles and cultures across the National Security ecosystem.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in secure environments with modern tech and innovative projects.
- Qualifications: Experience in data, cloud, or software engineering with active DV/eDV clearance.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 120000 £ per year.
Location: Opportunities across all compass points, including South West, North West and London hubs
Hybrid: Secure-site working patterns vary by programme
Salary: £60,000 – £120,000+ depending on experience and SFIA grading
Clearance: Active DV / eDV clearance preferred
The Opportunity
If you’re operating in the National Security space and quietly wondering what else is out there, this is a good place to start. We work across a curated group of engineering‑led SMEs, specialist consultancies and secure-side technology teams delivering cloud, data, software and AI capability across the UK’s National Security ecosystem. The common thread across the organisations we represent is not size or brand name. It’s the quality of the engineering environment. Modern stacks. Stronger cultures. Better progression. More ownership. Less red tape than many traditional prime environments.
A number of the teams we support are scaling secure data and cloud capability right now, with work spanning AWS, DevSecOps, AI‑ready data platforms, geospatial data, analytics, secure software and modernisation of complex legacy estates. Some are long‑standing specialists. Some are fast‑growing SMEs. Some sit closer to R&D. Others are deeply embedded delivery partners. The point of this advert is not to push you towards one role. It’s to give cleared engineers a discreet route into the parts of the market that are often never properly advertised.
The Roles
- Data Engineering
- Platform and DevOps Engineering
- Cloud Engineering
- Software Engineering
- Data Architecture
- Solution Architecture
Across the market, typical environments include:
- AWS cloud services and cloud‑native architecture
- Kubernetes, Docker and secure container platform
- Infrastructure as Code using Terraform, CloudFormation and automation tooling
- CI/CD, DevSecOps and secure software delivery practice
- Python, Java and modern backend engineering
- Distributed data platforms, ETL pipelines and streaming architectures
- Analytics, AI‑ready data services and operational data platforms
- Geospatial and secure data environments
The exact stack will vary by client and programme. What matters most is that you have strong engineering fundamentals, can work well in secure environments and want to understand where your experience could be valued.
Who This Is For
This is aimed at engineers who are already operating in Defence, Government or National Security environments and want a better view of the market.
- Actively looking for a move
- Passively exploring options
- Benchmarking your current salary or progression
- Frustrated by siloed roles or slow‑moving delivery structures
- Curious about smaller, more engineering‑led employers
- Interested in secure data, cloud, AI, geospatial or software modernisation
You do not need to be actively applying to have a conversation. For many candidates, the most useful starting point is simply understanding which organisations are hiring, what cultures are genuinely strong and which opportunities are actually worth your time.
Clearance Requirements
Due to the nature of the environments we support, active DV / eDV clearance is preferred. Candidates should typically be sole UK nationals and comfortable operating within secure National Security environments.
Data, Cloud & Software Engineers - Open Application (DV / eDV Cleared) employer: Forward Role Recruitment
Join a forward-thinking employer that prioritises engineering excellence and innovation within the National Security sector. With opportunities across various locations including the South West, North West, and London, we offer a hybrid working model that promotes flexibility and work-life balance. Our culture fosters professional growth, encouraging engineers to take ownership of their projects while benefiting from modern technology stacks and reduced bureaucracy, making it an ideal environment for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.
