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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the architecture team and drive innovative cloud solutions for national security.
- Company: Join a forward-thinking company focused on agility, security, and collaboration.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, 25 days leave, and a supportive work culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in defence and national security with cutting-edge cloud technology.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in IT architecture, with expertise in secure cloud environments.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for professional growth and industry influence.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
We are seeking a highly experienced and visionary Principal Technical Architect to lead our architecture team and drive the technical direction of our cloud solutions within the defence and national security sector. Reporting directly to the CTO, you will be a strategic leader, subject matter expert (SME) in cloud technologies, and a key contributor to business development through bid and proposal activities. You will be responsible for defining and evangelising our technical vision, leading a team of architects, ensuring alignment with business objectives, and driving innovation in secure cloud environments. Your deep expertise in highly secure cloud architectures and infrastructure will be critical to our continued success in this demanding and vital market.
Key Responsibilities
- Technical Leadership and Vision
- Develop and champion the company's overall technical architecture strategy and roadmap for cloud solutions in highly secure environments, aligning with business goals and market opportunities within the defence and national security sector.
- Lead and mentor a team of architects, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment, promoting knowledge sharing, and ensuring consistent architectural standards and practices.
- Stay abreast of emerging cloud technologies, security trends, and industry best practices, particularly those relevant to highly regulated and secure environments (e.g., government, defence, national security).
- Identify opportunities for technical innovation and differentiation within our cloud offerings, driving competitive advantage.
- Represent the company's technical vision and capabilities to clients, partners, and industry events.
- Cloud Architecture and Design
- Serve as the principal architect and subject matter expert in designing, developing, and implementing robust, scalable, and highly secure cloud architectures and infrastructure solutions.
- Define and enforce architectural patterns, standards, and guidelines for cloud deployments, ensuring security, compliance, performance, and maintainability.
- Lead the design and architecture of complex cloud solutions, considering factors such as security controls, compliance requirements (e.g., FedRAMP, NIST, ITAR), data sovereignty, and resilience in highly sensitive environments.
- Oversee the creation of detailed architectural diagrams, documentation, and specifications for cloud infrastructure and applications.
- Provide architectural guidance and oversight throughout the software development lifecycle, ensuring alignment with the overall technical vision.
- Subject Matter Expertise (SME) in Secure Cloud Environments
- Be the recognized SME within the company on cloud technologies and infrastructure, specifically in the context of highly secure and regulated environments for defence and national security.
- Possess deep and demonstrable expertise in cloud platforms (e.g., AWS GovCloud, Azure Government, Google Cloud Platform Assured Workloads, private clouds).
- Security frameworks and compliance standards relevant to defence and national security (e.g., NCSC best practices, NIST, DISA STIGs, SOC 2, ISO).
- Secure cloud architecture patterns (trust, micro-segmentation, data loss prevention, encryption at rest and in transit).
- Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC) and automation for secure cloud deployments.
- Containerisation and orchestration in secure environments (e.g., Kubernetes, OpenShift).
- DevSecOps practices in regulated industries.
- Continuously expand knowledge and stay updated on the evolving landscape of cloud security and compliance within the defence and national security domain.
- Bid and Proposal Support
- Play a crucial role in pre-sales activities, working closely with the sales and business development teams to develop compelling technical solutions and proposals for prospective clients.
- Provide technical leadership and author key technical sections of bids and proposals, articulating our cloud capabilities, architectural approach, security features, and value proposition.
- Participate in client meetings and presentations, acting as a technical spokesperson and building credibility with prospective clients by demonstrating deep subject matter expertise.
- Collaborate with solution architects and proposal managers to develop accurate and competitive technical and cost estimates for proposed solutions.
- Understand client requirements deeply and translate them into effective and innovative cloud solutions that address their specific needs within the defence and national security context.
- Collaboration and Stakeholder Management
- Work closely with engineering, security, operations, and business development teams to ensure architectural alignment and successful execution of projects.
- Effectively communicate architectural decisions, strategies, and roadmaps to both technical and non-technical stakeholders across the organization.
- Build strong relationships with key clients and partners, understanding their technical challenges and providing architectural guidance.
- Contribute to industry forums, conferences, and publications to enhance the company's technical reputation and thought leadership in secure cloud environments.
Qualifications
Essential Experience
- 10+ years of progressive experience in IT architecture roles, with a significant focus on cloud or infrastructure technologies.
- 5+ years of experience specifically architecting and implementing cloud or infrastructure solutions in highly secure and regulated environments (e.g., government, defence, financial services, healthcare).
- Proven experience leading and mentoring architecture teams, fostering collaboration and technical excellence.
- Strong track record of successful bid and proposal contributions, demonstrating the ability to articulate complex technical solutions to clients and secure new business.
- Deep understanding of security frameworks and compliance standards relevant to defence and national security.
Technical Skills
- Expert-level knowledge of major cloud platforms (e.g. AWS, Azure, GCP) and their services, particularly in their government or secure offerings.
- Extensive experience with secure cloud architecture patterns, infrastructure-as-code (IaC), containerisation, and DevSecOps practices.
- Strong understanding of networking principles, security protocols, encryption technologies, and identity and access management in cloud environments.
- Excellent understanding of software development lifecycles and agile methodologies.
Soft Skills
- Exceptional leadership, communication (written and verbal), and presentation skills.
- Strong strategic thinking, problem-solving, and analytical abilities.
- Ability to influence and collaborate effectively across diverse teams and stakeholders.
- Client-facing skills with the ability to build rapport and trust with technical and non-technical audiences.
- Strong business acumen and understanding of the defence and national security market.
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technical field.
Desirable Certifications
- Cloud certifications (e.g., AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional, Azure Solutions Architect Expert, Google Cloud Certified Professional Cloud Architect, VMware VCP-VCF Architect).
- Security certifications (e.g., CISSP).
- Advanced Degree: Master's or PhD degree in a relevant technical field.
Industry Experience
- Specific experience working with the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD), UK Intelligence Community (UKIC), or other national security agencies.
Agile/DevOps Expertise
- Experience leading and implementing DevSecOps practices in regulated environments.
Publications/Presentations
- Contributions to industry publications or presentations on cloud security or architecture topics.
What can we offer in return?
SiXworks offers a unique work culture around our core principles Agility, Security, Innovation, Quality, Collaboration and Inclusivity. Together, these six principles form SiXworks' NORTH STAR, guiding the organisation towards success. This is reflected in the raft of benefits available to all our employees. In addition to a competitive salary, we offer: 25 days annual leave +
Principal Technical Architect in Hampshire employer: Sixworks
Contact Detail:
Sixworks Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Technical Architect in Hampshire
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company and its projects, especially in the defence and national security sector. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs and showcase your expertise in cloud technologies.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your thought leadership! Write articles or share insights on platforms like LinkedIn about trends in secure cloud environments. This not only builds your personal brand but also demonstrates your passion and knowledge in the field.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining us. Tailor your application to highlight your relevant skills and experiences that match the Principal Technical Architect role.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Technical Architect in Hampshire
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in cloud technologies and secure environments. We want to see how your skills align with our needs, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: As a Principal Technical Architect, you'll be leading a team. Use your application to demonstrate your leadership experience and how you've successfully mentored others in the past. We love seeing examples of collaboration and innovation!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to explain your technical expertise and how it relates to the defence and national security sector. We appreciate clarity as much as complexity!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sixworks
✨Know Your Cloud Stuff
As a Principal Technical Architect, you need to be the go-to expert on cloud technologies. Brush up on your knowledge of AWS GovCloud, Azure Government, and other secure platforms. Be ready to discuss specific projects where you've implemented these technologies, showcasing your expertise in highly secure environments.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
This role involves leading a team of architects, so it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership abilities. Prepare examples of how you've mentored teams, fostered collaboration, and driven innovation in past roles. Highlight your experience in aligning technical strategies with business objectives.
✨Understand Compliance Inside Out
Given the focus on defence and national security, make sure you're well-versed in relevant compliance standards like NIST and DISA STIGs. Be prepared to discuss how you've navigated these regulations in previous projects and how they impact cloud architecture decisions.
✨Engage with Real-World Scenarios
During the interview, expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Think about challenges you've faced in cloud architecture and how you overcame them. Use these scenarios to illustrate your strategic thinking and ability to deliver innovative solutions under pressure.
