Cryptographic Services Architect

Thales Group; Reading; On-site; GBP 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Thales Group in Reading, United Kingdom, is seeking an experienced Cryptographic Services Architect to lead architecture, design and delivery of cryptographic solutions across secure, mission-critical projects.

You will define secure PKI, certificate lifecycle, key management, HSMs, and PQC strategies; produce high-level designs and testing artefacts; and present solutions to customers and senior stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Proven experience designing and delivering enterprise PKI and cryptographic solutions.
• Strong understanding of Certificate Authorities, certificate lifecycle, root of trust, and digital certificates/digital signatures.
• Hands-on experience with enterprise PKI platforms such as Keyfactor, EJBCA, ADCS, Azure Certificate Services and Evertrust.
• Experience leading technical solutions across bids, proposals, and complex programmes.
• Strong documentation and stakeholder communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead cryptographic architecture for bids, proposals, and project delivery.
• Define secure, scalable, and compliant PKI, key management, and PQC strategies.
• Produce high-quality architecture docs, including HLDs and testing artefacts.
• Present solutions to customers, senior stakeholders, and review boards.
• Support transition from bid to delivery, maintaining architectural integrity.
• Mentor engineers and promote knowledge sharing across the cryptographic services community.

Skills

Enterprise PKI

Certificate lifecycle

Root of trust

Digital certificates

Digital signatures

Technical documentation

Stakeholder communication

Bid leadership

Education

Engineering degree

Cyber Security degree

Computer Science degree

Tools

Keyfactor

EJBCA

ADCS

Azure Certificate Services

Evertrust

Job description

## Cryptographic Services ArchitectApplyremote type: Hybridlocations: Reading: Crawley: Ebbw Vale: Doncastertime type: Full timeposted on: Posted Todayjob requisition id: R0323243Location: Reading, United KingdomThales is a global technology leader with more than 83,000 employees on five continents. With over 7,500 people in the UK, operating across defence, space, aerospace, and digital security, we help build a future we can all trust. Thales supports the security and stability of our nation by providing extraordinary technology to our customers, as well as delivering social value to the UK with our products and services.## **Location:** Doncaster/Reading (other Thales sites could be considered)We are looking for an experienced **Cryptographic Services Architect** to join our Secure Communications & Information Systems business. This is a unique opportunity to lead the architecture, design, and delivery of cutting-edge cryptographic solutions across a portfolio of secure and mission-critical projects.Working within our established Cryptographic Services Practice, you will play a pivotal role in shaping secure solutions that support customers operating in highly regulated and security-sensitive environments. From bid and proposal stages through to design, implementation, and service transition, you will provide technical leadership and expertise across Public Key Infrastructure (PKI), Key Management Services, Hardware Security Modules (HSMs), and emerging post-quantum cryptography initiatives.This role offers the perfect blend of architecture, engineering, customer engagement, and strategic leadership.## What You'll Be Doing### Architecture & Technical Leadership* Lead the cryptographic architecture for bids, proposals, and project delivery.* Define secure, scalable, and compliant solutions aligned with customer requirements and industry best practice.* Produce high-quality architectural documentation including High-Level Designs (HLDs), solution designs, requirements specifications, and testing artefacts.* Present technical solutions confidently to customers, senior stakeholders, and technical review boards.* Support the transition from bid to delivery, ensuring architectural integrity throughout the project lifecycle.### ### Cryptographic Solution Design* Design and integrate enterprise cryptographic services including: + Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) + Certificate Lifecycle Management + Key Management Systems + Hardware Security Modules (HSMs) + Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) migration strategies* Advise customers on cryptographic agility, future security requirements, and quantum-readiness.* Lead integration, deployment, testing, and acceptance activities across customer environments.* Drive continuous improvement across architecture practices, standards, and tooling.### ### Stakeholder & Project Collaboration* Work closely with bid teams, project managers, engineers, security specialists, and customer stakeholders.* Identify technical risks and develop effective mitigation strategies.* Support knowledge transfer into operational support teams.* Mentor engineers and promote knowledge sharing across the cryptographic services community.## ## What We're Looking For### Essential Skills & Experience* Proven experience designing and delivering enterprise PKI and cryptographic solutions.* Strong understanding of: + Certificate Authorities (CA) + Certificate lifecycle management + Root of trust architectures + Digital certificates and digital signatures + Hands-on experience with enterprise PKI platforms such as: - Keyfactor - EJBCA - Active Directory Certificate Services (ADCS) - Azure Certificate Services - Evertrust* Experience leading technical solutions across bids, proposals, and complex programmes.* Strong technical documentation and stakeholder communication skills.* Ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear business-focused recommendations.* Experience working across the full project lifecycle from bid through delivery and into service.### ### Desirable Experience* Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) planning and migration.* Cryptographic standards and frameworks including NCSC, NIST, ETSI, ISO and IEC standards.* Scripting and automation using PowerShell, Python, or Bash.* Identity & Access Management (IAM) integration.* Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) or Operational Technology (OT) environments.* Application and cloud security technologies.## ## Qualifications* Degree-qualified in Engineering, Cyber Security, Computer Science, or related discipline, or equivalent practical experience.* Experience in PKI administration, cryptographic systems design, or cryptographic services delivery.* Relevant security certifications such as **CISSP**, **CISM**, or equivalent are highly desirable.## Why Join Us?This is an exciting opportunity to work at the forefront of secure communications, helping customers solve some of their most complex security challenges. You'll have the chance to influence strategic solutions, work with emerging technologies, and play a key role in advancing cryptographic capabilities in an increasingly security-conscious and post-quantum world.If you're passionate about security architecture, cryptographic services, and delivering innovative solutions that matter, we'd love to hear from you.