Security Architect - Contract

Description

Technical Architect – Contract Role – 3 months

Location: Hybrid (UK-Based)

Engagement Length:

Clearance:

Organisation: Methods Business and Digital Technology

Overview

Methods is looking for an experienced Security Architect with technical and data architecture knowledge to support workstreams within the a customer specific project and other Data/AI projects.

The role requires deep technical expertise, strong architecture governance capability, and experience aligning platforms to Government Digital Services (GDS) standards, information governance policies and enterprise best practice.

Key Responsibilities

Architectural Strategy & Leadership

• Ensure architectural decisions align with enterprise strategy, programme outcomes and wider organisational objectives.
• Produce high-quality architectural artefacts including HLD’s/LLD’s, roadmaps, integration patterns and data models.
• Lead technical design governance, ensuring compliance with GDS, enterprise architecture principles and security standards.
• Provide architectural assurance across delivery teams, vendor and stakeholders.
• Provide security and technical advice and guidance to the project team.
• Ownership and responsibility for developing and articulating the requirements through assurance processes.
• Owning and responsibility for developing a clear security vision and approach.
• Stakeholder management – understanding business needs and requirements.
• Produce an overall security approach, providing Security Assurance and Secure by Design

Platform Design and Integration

• Oversee integration patterns with upstream/downstream systems.
• Collaborate with developers, platform engineers, information governance specialists and cyber teams to deliver robust solutions.

Policy Governance & Best Practice

• Develop, document and enforce policies, standards and operational best practices.
• Ensure alignment with appropriate legislation and governance requirements.
• Establish repeatable patterns, guidelines and architectural controls.
• Support training, coaching and enabling teams to adopt consistent best practice.

Technical Delivery Support

• Provide expert guidance to delivery teams on configuration, architecture constraints and recommended patterns.
• Support troubleshooting, risk identification technical assessments, and proof-of-concept design activities.
• Contribute to spring ceremonies and delivery planning to ensure architecture is embedded across the lifecycle.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Strong experience as a Technical Architect within large public sector or regulated environments.
• Expertise in designing and governing solutions.
• Excellent understanding of information architecture and lifecycle management
• Knowledge of GDS service standards, cloud security principles and secure design patterns.
• Ability to define technical policy, governance frameworks and platform best practice.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, including presenting complex architecture concepts clearly.
• Secure by Design
• JSP 440
• JSP 604