Senior Technical Architect – National Security Programme

Senior Technical Architect – National Security Programme 📍 Milton Keynes (Hybrid – 60% onsite) 💰 £508.77/day PAYE or £652.82/day Umbrella 📅 6 Month Contract (Potential Extension) 🔒 SC Clearance Eligible Required A leading government-focused organisation is seeking a Senior Technical Architect to support the delivery of critical national security capabilities. This is a high-impact role working at the intersection of architecture, engineering, and secure government operations. The Role You’ll play a key role in shaping and delivering secure technical solutions within a complex, high-assurance environment. Acting as a bridge between stakeholders and technical teams, you’ll ensure solutions are robust, compliant, and aligned with strategic objectives. Key Responsibilities * Lead technical engagement with stakeholders, translating business needs into scalable solutions * Facilitate and run technical workshops with customers and delivery teams * Produce and maintain high- and low-level technical designs * Provide 4th line technical oversight and support for complex issues * Conduct impact assessments across functional, capability, and security domains * Review and govern technical changes, ensuring alignment with standards and best practices * Contribute to architectural governance and support wider CTO function activities * Evaluate emerging technologies and present options, including cost/benefit analysis * Required Experience * Strong background in technical architecture within secure or government environments * Experience working with enterprise infrastructure and virtualised platforms * Solid knowledge of: * Microsoft and Linux operating systems * VMware stack (vCloud Director, vSAN, NSX) * Network technologies and secure architectures (e.g. SASE) * High-grade encryption technologies * Proven experience producing architectural documentation (HLDs, LLDs, options papers) * Strong understanding of security frameworks (e.g. NCSC, NIST, CIS, Cyber Essentials) * Experience managing and owning technical requirements * Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills Desirable * Experience in matrix organisations * Exposure to Infrastructure as Code, containerisation, and microservices * Working Arrangements * Hybrid model: minimum 60% onsite in Hanslope Park * Standard working week: 37.5–48 hours * Participation in an on-call rota (additional flat-rate payments apply) Additional Information * Candidates must be British nationals and eligible for SC clearance * This role falls inside IR35 * Travel within Milton Keynes/London is expected within the day rate