At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and delivery of secure solutions for defence and national security clients.
- Company: Join Sopra Steria, a leader in digital solutions for government clients.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, private healthcare, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Opportunity for professional development and mentoring in a collaborative culture.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on national security while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in secure environments and strong architecture expertise required.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 € per year.
Are you an experienced Solution Lead or Enterprise Architect with a background in highly secure environments? Do you bring defence or national security experience, strong architecture expertise, and a practical, innovative approach to solving complex challenges? If so, we'd like to hear from you.
As Principal Solution Architect, you will play a key role in shaping and delivering enterprise solutions for defence and national security customers. Working with the Office of the CTO, you will combine future-focused innovation with hands-on leadership across existing customer engagements.
This role is split across two core areas:
- Innovation & Future Solutions (50%) - lead the identification, design, and development of secure, IT-enabled solutions that respond to the evolving needs of clients and the wider sector.
- Short-term Customer Initiatives (50%) - provide enterprise and solution leadership for rapid reviews, recovery activity, and complex customer challenges, helping to resolve issues and support successful delivery outcomes.
This is a UK-based role, with travel required to client sites along the M4 corridor.
What you will be doing:
- Lead the design and delivery of secure enterprise and solution architectures for defence and national security clients.
- Shape innovative, IT-enabled solutions that respond to emerging client and sector needs.
- Provide solution leadership for short-term assessments, remediation activity, and complex customer initiatives.
- Build strong working relationships with clients, partners, and internal teams to support successful delivery.
- Contribute to business growth through pre-sales support, market insight, and representation of Sopra Steria's capabilities.
- Identify and manage risks, while sharing knowledge through mentoring, workshops, and collaboration.
What you will bring:
- Experience as a Solution Lead, Enterprise Architect, or in a similar role within highly secure defence or national security environments.
- Strong understanding of defence customers, suppliers, and delivery contexts, including MOD and/or UKIC.
- Proven ability to design and lead complex solutions across COTS, custom, and enterprise-scale environments.
- Expertise in architecture approaches and tools such as TOGAF, ArchiMate, and C4, with a secure-by-design mindset.
- Experience working in agile delivery environments, with knowledge of modern software delivery and DevSecOps practices.
- Confidence working with senior stakeholders, balancing strategic thinking with practical support to drive delivery success.
If you are interested in this role but not sure if your skills and experience are exactly what we're looking for, please do apply, we'd love to hear from you!
Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent
Location: UK-based, with travel required to client sites along the M4 corridor
Security Clearance Level: DV Clearance
Salary: Competitive, based on experience
Benefits: Car Allowance, Bonus, 25 days annual leave with the option to buy additional days, private health care, life assurance, pension, and generous flexible benefits fund (3% of base salary)
Sopra Steria's Aerospace, Defence and Security business designs, develops and deploys digital solutions to Central Government clients. The work we do makes a real difference to the client's goal of National Security, and we operate in a unique and privileged environment. We are given time for professional development activities, and we coach and mentor our colleagues, sharing knowledge and learning from each other. We cultivate a culture in which employees feel valued and supported and have pride in their work for the customer, delivering outstanding rates of customer satisfaction in the UK's most sophisticated safety- and security-critical markets.
Principal Solution Architect - Defence & National Security employer: Sopra Steria
Sopra Steria is an exceptional employer for those seeking to make a meaningful impact in the defence and national security sector. With a strong commitment to employee development, a supportive work culture, and competitive benefits including a car allowance and private healthcare, we empower our team to innovate and excel in a highly secure environment. Our focus on collaboration and mentorship ensures that every employee feels valued and has the opportunity to grow professionally while contributing to vital national security initiatives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Solution Architect - Defence & National Security
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the defence and national security sectors. Attend industry events, webinars, or even local meet-ups. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Principal Solution Architect role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! Prepare a portfolio or case studies that highlight your experience in designing secure enterprise solutions. When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share specific examples of how you've tackled complex challenges in the past.
✨Tip Number 3
Be proactive! Don’t just wait for job openings to pop up. Reach out directly to companies you're interested in, like Sopra Steria, and express your enthusiasm for their work in defence and national security. A little initiative can go a long way!
✨Tip Number 4
Keep learning! Stay updated on the latest trends and technologies in the defence sector. Consider taking relevant courses or certifications that can boost your profile. This shows potential employers that you're committed to continuous improvement and innovation.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Solution Architect - Defence & National Security
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in defence and national security. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant projects!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a Principal Solution Architect, leadership is key. Use your application to demonstrate your experience in leading teams and projects, especially in complex environments. We love seeing examples of how you've driven successful outcomes!
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and get straight to the point about your achievements and how they relate to the job. This helps us understand your fit for the role quickly!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about what we do at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sopra Steria
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of defence and national security environments. Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges these sectors face and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs. This will show that you're not just a fit for the role, but that you genuinely understand the landscape.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Principal Solution Architect, you'll need to demonstrate strong leadership capabilities. Prepare examples from your past where you've led teams or projects, especially in complex situations. Highlight how you’ve built relationships with clients and stakeholders, as this is crucial for success in this role.
✨Be Innovative
This role requires a practical and innovative approach to problem-solving. Think about recent projects where you’ve implemented creative solutions. Be ready to discuss how you can bring fresh ideas to the table, particularly in designing secure, IT-enabled solutions that meet evolving client needs.
✨Understand the Tools of the Trade
Familiarise yourself with architecture frameworks like TOGAF, ArchiMate, and C4. Be prepared to discuss how you've used these tools in previous roles. Showing that you have a secure-by-design mindset and experience with agile delivery environments will set you apart from other candidates.
