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- Tasks: Design and deliver secure cloud infrastructures for a major Defence programme.
- Company: Ncounter, a leader in Defence technology with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, hybrid work model, and the chance to work on impactful projects.
- Why this job: Shape resilient architectures and make a difference in national security.
- Qualifications: Experience in PKI, cloud solutions, and strong technical skills required.
- Other info: Opportunity for technical ownership in a high-assurance environment.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 56000 £ per year.
Ncounter is seeking an experienced DV Cleared Architect to support a major Defence programme, driving the design and delivery of secure, large-scale infrastructure across both private and public cloud environments. This position focuses heavily on enterprise PKI and trust services, integrating modern authentication, federation, and certificate management capabilities across highly assured platforms.
You will take a leading role in shaping resilient architectures within secure, air-gapped environments, ensuring compliance with MOD and NCSC principles while delivering practical, scalable solutions to complex mission systems.
Key Responsibilities:- Define and deliver enterprise-grade PKI and trust infrastructures covering Root/Issuing CAs, Registration Authorities, Validation Authorities, and Certificate Lifecycle Management systems
- Develop high-quality design artefacts, standards, and documentation for PKI, identity, and cross-domain architectures
- Provide technical guidance on Active Directory integration, federation services, and certificate-based authentication methods
- Architect solutions using VMWare Cloud Foundation (VCF) and contribute to hybrid deployments spanning AWS, GCP, and Azure environments
- Engage with stakeholders through technical workshops, design reviews, and assurance boards to align design outputs with programme goals
- Hands-on experience building and maintaining enterprise PKI and trust infrastructures (Root/Issuing CAs, RA, VA, CLM). Familiarity with Defence or government PKI ecosystems is advantageous
- Strong understanding of Active Directory, federation and identity management platforms, and certificate-based access controls
- Experience designing secure cloud solutions within private (VCF) and hyperscale (AWS, Azure, GCP) environments
- Knowledge of certificate auto-enrolment, key management, and hardware security modules (HSMs)
- Familiarity with relevant standards and policies such as X.509, RFC5280, TLS, FIPS 140-3, and NCSC or NIST identity guidance
- Background delivering within high-assurance, disconnected, or restricted network environments
This contract offers the chance to take technical ownership of critical design elements within a secure Defence platform. If you combine deep PKI knowledge with a track record of secure cloud solution delivery, Ncounter would welcome a confidential discussion.
Cloud Architect employer: Ncounter Technology Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Ncounter Technology Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Cloud Architect
✨Tip Number 1
Network, network, network! Get out there and connect with folks in the industry. Attend meetups, webinars, or even local tech events. You never know who might have a lead on that perfect Cloud Architect role!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your past projects, especially those involving PKI and cloud solutions. This will give potential employers a clear view of what you can bring to the table.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply blindly! Tailor your approach for each opportunity. Research the company and its projects, and mention how your experience aligns with their needs when you reach out.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got some fantastic opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge. Plus, it’s super easy to navigate!
We think you need these skills to ace Cloud Architect
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Cloud Architect role. Highlight your experience with PKI and cloud environments, and don’t forget to mention any relevant certifications or projects that showcase your skills.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Mention specific experiences that align with the job description and show your enthusiasm for working with us at StudySmarter.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: In your application, be sure to highlight your hands-on experience with enterprise PKI and cloud solutions. Use clear examples to demonstrate your understanding of Active Directory, federation services, and secure cloud architectures.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ncounter Technology Recruitment
✨Know Your PKI Inside Out
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of enterprise PKI and trust infrastructures. Be ready to discuss your hands-on experience with Root/Issuing CAs, Registration Authorities, and Certificate Lifecycle Management systems. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the concepts but have practical experience to back it up.
✨Showcase Your Cloud Expertise
Prepare to talk about your experience designing secure cloud solutions, especially within VMWare Cloud Foundation and hyperscale environments like AWS, Azure, and GCP. Bring examples of past projects where you’ve successfully integrated these technologies, as this will demonstrate your capability to handle the responsibilities of the role.
✨Understand Compliance Standards
Familiarise yourself with relevant standards and policies such as X.509, RFC5280, and FIPS 140-3. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve ensured compliance in previous roles, particularly in high-assurance environments. This will highlight your attention to detail and understanding of the regulatory landscape.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you’ve engaged with stakeholders in the past through technical workshops or design reviews. Be ready to share specific examples of how you’ve aligned design outputs with programme goals. This will showcase your communication skills and ability to work collaboratively, which are crucial for this role.