At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead architectural design and ensure secure, scalable solutions for our Service Management platform.
- Company: Join CGI, a top-rated employer known for its inclusive and innovative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, excellent pension, private healthcare, and a share scheme.
- Other info: Be part of a friendly community with opportunities for career growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a senior role while shaping the future of technology.
- Qualifications: Strong software architecture experience and ability to engage with diverse stakeholders.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
At CGI, we deliver secure, mission‑critical solutions that help our clients operate with confidence in complex environments. As a Software Architect, you will act as the design authority for the Service Management platform, shaping the technical direction of the solution while ensuring its security, resilience, and long‑term success. Working closely with technical and business stakeholders, you will drive architectural decisions, oversee system enhancements, and provide leadership across the software lifecycle.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Software Developer, Infrastructure Engineer, or Architect looking to take the next step into a senior architecture role where they can influence strategy, innovation, and delivery.
Due to the secure nature of the programme, you will need to hold UK Security Clearance or be eligible to go through this clearance. This role is based on‑site in Reading, 5 days per week.
Candidate ProfileAs the Software Architect and Design Authority for the Service Management platform, you will take ownership of the technical solution, ensuring it remains secure, scalable, and aligned to business and operational requirements. You will lead the architectural design and analysis of system enhancements, maintain ownership of the requirements and functional baseline, and provide governance for technical changes across the solution.
Working closely with business, delivery, development, and operational teams, you will guide architectural decision‑making, support the delivery of software and infrastructure changes, and provide technical leadership across incidents, problems, and enhancements. You will also be responsible for maintaining the project's Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), ensuring the ongoing security and integrity of the environment.
Key Responsibilities- Lead & Govern architectural design, analysis, and technical decision‑making
- Own & Maintain the technical solution, requirements, and functional baseline
- Review & Approve system changes, enhancements, and architectural updates
- Secure & Protect the integrity of the platform through effective security governance
- Manage & Maintain Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) services
- Analyse & Validate functional and non‑functional requirements
- Support & Mentor development and operational teams through design reviews and technical guidance
- Collaborate & Communicate with business, delivery, and operational stakeholders
- Identify & Address architectural risks, dependencies, and improvement opportunities
- Evaluate & Adopt emerging technologies, methodologies, and best practices
To be successful in this role, you will have strong software architecture experience and a proven ability to design, govern, and support secure enterprise solutions. You should be comfortable engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, translating business requirements into technical solutions, and providing leadership across the software development lifecycle. Experience working within secure or regulated environments would be highly advantageous.
Essential Qualifications And Experience- Proven experience as a Software Architect, Solution Architect, Senior Software Engineer, or similar technical leadership role
- Strong understanding of software architecture principles, design patterns, and system modelling techniques
- Experience analysing and validating functional and non‑functional requirements
- Ability to make and govern architectural decisions across complex software solutions
- Experience supporting software delivery, operational support, and continuous improvement activities
- Strong stakeholder management and communication skills
- Knowledge of systems integration and enterprise architecture concepts
- Experience conducting technical reviews, documentation authoring, and architecture governance
- Understanding of software development technologies, frameworks, and deployment environments
- Eligibility to obtain or hold UK Security Clearance
- Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) administration and management
- Experience within secure, defence, government, or highly regulated environments
- Background in software development, infrastructure engineering, or systems engineering
- Knowledge of modern development methodologies and DevSecOps practices
Software Architect (SC Cleared) in Reading employer: Free-Work UK
At CGI, we pride ourselves on being a top employer, recognised for our commitment to inclusivity and employee development. As a Software Architect in Reading, you'll enjoy a competitive salary, excellent benefits including private healthcare and a share scheme, and the opportunity to work in a supportive, diverse community of experts dedicated to innovation and excellence. Join us to shape the future of secure solutions while advancing your career in a dynamic environment that values your contributions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Software Architect (SC Cleared) in Reading
✨Join Local Tech Meetups
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✨Contribute to Open Source Projects
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We think you need these skills to ace Software Architect (SC Cleared) in Reading
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 Free-Work UK.
Craft a killer cover letter:Your cover letter is your chance to stand out—make it personal! Explain why you want to work at Free-Work UK 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 Free-Work UK
✨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 Free-Work UK 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.
