At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and deliver secure, scalable cloud solutions for public sector and defence clients.
- Company: Join IBM Consulting UK, a leader in hybrid cloud and AI solutions.
- Benefits: Flexible work environment, continuous learning, and career progression opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative Agile teams and dynamic projects await you!
- Why this job: Make a real impact with cutting-edge technologies while leading innovative cloud projects.
- Qualifications: Strong AWS experience and architectural skills; ideal for senior engineers ready for leadership.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
IBM Consulting UK FutureNow offers a career at the forefront of hybrid cloud and AI, delivering solutions to public and private sector clients. You’ll collaborate with industry professionals, gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge technologies, and contribute to meaningful programmes that stretch your skills and accelerate growth. We invest in continuous learning and long-term career progression, in a flexible and inclusive environment that values curiosity and reinvention.
We are seeking an AWS Cloud Architect to join IBM, supporting public sector and defence clients. This role suits a senior engineer or developer ready to move into a broader technical leadership position. You will lead the design and delivery of secure, scalable, and high-performing cloud solutions, primarily on AWS, while also contributing to wider cloud and infrastructure architecture across complex environments. The ideal candidate is a hands-on technologist with strong architectural thinking, experience in modern cloud-native engineering, and a background working within Agile teams.
Responsibilities
- Lead the design of cloud architectures that emphasise scalability, security, performance, and operational excellence for public sector and defence clients.
- Translate business and technical requirements into clear solution designs and collaborate with stakeholders across engineering, product, and delivery.
- Provide technical leadership across full-stack development, microservices, distributed systems, event-driven patterns, and cloud-native application design.
- Use AWS (and occasionally Azure) services to build secure, resilient, and cost-efficient solutions.
- Apply AWS Well-Architected Framework principles to ensure best-practice implementation.
- Support application modernization initiatives including containerisation, serverless adoption, refactoring, and cloud migration.
- Guide teams in CI/CD pipeline creation, automation practices, DevOps workflows, and infrastructure-as-code.
- Produce architecture diagrams, documentation, standards, and reusable design patterns.
- Work closely with developers, cloud engineers, product owners, and business leaders across Agile delivery teams.
Education
Required education: None
Preferred education: Bachelor's Degree
Required technical and professional expertise
- Cloud: Strong experience with AWS services across compute, storage, networking, APIs, serverless, and managed database offerings.
- Architecture: Skilled in designing microservices-based systems, distributed architectures, and event-driven or serverless patterns.
- Containerisation: Proficient with Kubernetes (EKS or AKS), Docker, and Helm for container orchestration and deployment.
- Infrastructure as Code: Hands-on experience with Terraform, CloudFormation, Bicep, ARM templates, and Ansible for automated infrastructure provisioning.
- CI/CD: Practical knowledge of Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions, AWS CodePipeline/CodeBuild, Jenkins, and Git-based workflows.
- Databases: Familiarity with relational databases (Postgres, MySQL, SQL Server) and NoSQL platforms (DynamoDB or Cosmos DB), with optional exposure to graph or vector data stores.
- Monitoring & Observability: Experience with cloud-native monitoring and logging systems such as CloudWatch or Azure Monitor, plus tools like Application Insights, Prometheus, and Grafana.
- Security & Governance: Strong understanding of IAM/RBAC, Key Vault/KMS, cloud security services, policy enforcement, and secrets management.
This role is subject to pre-employment screening in line with the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS). An additional range of Personal Security Controls referred to as National Security Vetting (NVS) may apply, which could include meeting the eligibility requirements for The Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV).
Preferred technical and professional experience
- AWS Solutions Architect certification, ideally at the Professional or Expert level.
- DevOps-focused certifications (AWS DevOps Engineer, Azure DevOps Engineer, or equivalent).
- Kubernetes certifications such as CKA, CKAD, or CKS.
- Terraform certification (Terraform Associate or higher).
- Enterprise architecture frameworks such as TOGAF or Zachman.
- Red Hat Certified Architect (beneficial but not essential).
- Security certifications such as CISSP, CCSP, Security+, or AWS Security Specialty.
- Cloud architecture and engineering specialties (e.g., AWS Advanced Networking, AWS Data Engineering, Azure Security Engineer).
- ITIL Foundation or higher (optional).
IBM is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, pregnancy, disability, neurodivergence, age, or other characteristics protected by applicable law. IBM is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.
AWS Cloud Architect - eSC or eDV Clearance Required employer: IBM
At IBM Consulting UK, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation thrives. As an AWS Cloud Architect, you'll engage with cutting-edge technologies while collaborating with talented professionals in a flexible and inclusive culture that prioritises continuous learning and career advancement. Our commitment to meaningful projects for public sector and defence clients ensures that your contributions will have a significant impact, making this an ideal place for those seeking rewarding and purposeful employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land AWS Cloud Architect - eSC or eDV Clearance Required
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend meetups, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can refer you directly.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your cloud architecture projects, especially those involving AWS. This will give potential employers a tangible sense of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on common technical questions related to AWS and cloud architecture. Practice explaining your thought process and solutions clearly, as communication is key in this role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace AWS Cloud Architect - eSC or eDV Clearance Required
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the AWS Cloud Architect role. Highlight your experience with AWS services and any relevant projects that showcase your architectural thinking and leadership skills.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t hold back on detailing your technical expertise! Mention your hands-on experience with cloud-native engineering, CI/CD practices, and any certifications you have. This is your chance to shine!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points where possible to make it easy for us to see your key achievements and skills at a glance.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows your enthusiasm for joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at IBM
✨Know Your AWS Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in AWS services, especially those related to compute, storage, and networking. Brush up on the AWS Well-Architected Framework principles, as you'll need to demonstrate your ability to design secure and scalable solutions.
✨Showcase Your Architectural Skills
Prepare to discuss your experience with microservices, distributed systems, and event-driven architectures. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've designed and implemented these systems in previous roles, highlighting your hands-on approach.
✨Demonstrate Your DevOps Knowledge
Familiarise yourself with CI/CD practices and tools like Terraform, Jenkins, and GitHub Actions. Be prepared to explain how you've used these tools to automate processes and improve deployment efficiency in your past projects.
✨Engage with Real-World Scenarios
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Think about challenges you've faced in cloud architecture and how you overcame them. This will show your ability to think critically and lead teams effectively.
