Principal Senior Technical Architect - IT Platforms

Location: Farnborough, England, United Kingdom

Role Type: Permanent – Full Time

Package: Competitive Salary + Benefits

At QinetiQ, we’re not just imagining tomorrow; we are creating it. From cutting‑edge defence technology to groundbreaking innovations, our mission is to empower and protect lives. Join us as a Senior Principle Technical Architect – IT Platforms at either our Farnborough or Malvern site, where you will work with cutting‑edge technology alongside some of the most brilliant minds.

The Role

As a Principle Technical Architect – IT Platforms, you will shape, design, and govern complex defence‑grade IT and mission systems. You will operate at the intersection of technology, security, and operational capability, ensuring that solutions are architected to meet stringent defence requirements, integrate seamlessly across domains, and remain resilient, scalable, and future‑proof. Day‑to‑day, you will work closely with programme leadership, engineering teams, military stakeholders, and industry partners to translate operational needs into robust innovative solutions that enable mission success.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Developing end‑to‑end solution architectures for National Security, Defence IT, C5ISR, mission systems, and secure services and consultancy.
• Leading architectural governance, ensuring compliance with MOD standards, JSPs, DEFSTANs, NIST, and relevant NATO frameworks.
• Shaping technical roadmaps aligned with growth roadmaps and long‑term defence strategies, evaluating and selecting technologies across cloud, edge computing, secure networks, data platforms, AI/ML, and mission‑critical software.
• Collaborating with senior military users, programme managers, and engineering leads to capture operational needs and translate them into technical solutions.
• Being responsible for the delivery of compelling and innovative solutions to successfully win and deliver competitive bids and projects.
• Providing architectural oversight throughout the solution lifecycle, from bid and concept development to delivery and in‑service support.

Essential experience for the Principle Technical Architect – IT Platforms:

• Extensive experience architecting secure, complex systems within defence, national security, aerospace, or similarly regulated sectors.
• Deep knowledge of technologies such as secure networks and cross‑domain solutions, cloud and hybrid architectures, data integration and interoperability standards, mission systems/sensors/platform integration, and cybersecurity/cryptographic controls.
• A strong understanding of MOD acquisition frameworks, security classifications, and secure-by‑design principles.
• Expertise in systems engineering, enterprise architecture, and model‑based approaches.
• Proven ability to lead multi‑disciplinary teams and influence senior stakeholders.

Essential qualifications for the Principle Technical Architect – IT Platforms:

• Chartered Engineer (CEng) or equivalent relevant experience.

We value difference and do not have a fixed idea when it comes to background or education. Provided you can demonstrate the required level of experience and willingness to learn, we would like to hear from you. This role is 37 hours per week based at either our Farnborough or Malvern site. Minimum average site attendance of 3 days per week. Frequent customer travel will be required.

Benefits

• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance.
• Generous holiday allowance, with the option to purchase additional days.
• Options to join Health Cash Plan, Private Medical Insurance and Dental Insurance.
• Employee discount portal: Personal Accident Insurance, Travel Insurance, Restaurants, Cinema Tickets and much more.
• Support for the Armed Forces community by honouring the Armed Forces Covenant and maintaining our Gold Award standard in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme.
• Volunteering opportunities – helping charities and local community.

Please note that all applicants for this role must be willing to go through DV Clearance.