Cyber Security Architect

Leidos; Scotland; On-site; GBP 61,000 - 79,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology company in the UK is seeking a Senior Cyber Security Architect to lead the design of cybersecurity frameworks across various programs. Responsibilities include conducting risk assessments and ensuring secure infrastructure, primarily within cloud environments like AWS and Azure. Candidates should have relevant experience in security architecture, strong communication, and technical leadership skills. The role requires the ability to obtain SC Clearance and offers competitive compensation along with comprehensive benefits.

Benefits

Contributory Pension Scheme

Private Medical Insurance

33 days Annual Leave

Flexible benefits access

Flexi-time benefits

Qualifications

• 2-4 years’ experience in a security architecture or senior security engineering role.
• 1-2 years in a technical leadership or architecture-focused position.
• Familiarity with different lifecycles/methodologies (e.g., agile, DevOps).

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and assurance of cybersecurity architectures.
• Ensure that data and infrastructure are protected by security controls.
• Conduct risk assessments and develop mitigation strategies.

Skills

Security architecture design

Cloud environments (AWS, Azure)

Risk assessment

Leadership and mentoring

Communication skills

Education

Relevant security architecture certifications

Tools

SIEM/SOC systems

Protective Monitoring technologies

Job description

Description

CYBER SECURITY ARCHITECT

At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers’ success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainably. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community. Our Mission, Vision, and Values guide the way we do business.

UNLEASH YOUR POTENTIAL

We require a Senior Cyber Security Architect to support our customer projects within Civil & Devolved Government and Energy divisions in the UK. You must be based in the UK with the ability to hold SC Clearance or above, and you may need to apply for additional personnel security clearances. We are seeking individuals who can join a high‑performing team and confidently design and assure robust security architectures for our customers, delivering high assurance with minimal friction. The focus is on simple, effective security that our customers value.

The role will support the delivery of secure, efficiently managed technical architectures for sensitive programmes. You will engage with third parties and customers, establishing and supporting ongoing growth. The position offers diversity in day‑to‑day activities and requires flexible operating parameters to support service in an agile environment, along with strong scheduling and prioritisation skills.

Are you ready for your next challenge?

The successful candidate will be expected to lead the design and assurance of secure architectures across multiple programme environments, most of which are in the cloud (AWS, Azure & Oracle), and offer expert guidance on security best practices. The ideal candidate will support the wider Leidos security capability, collaborating with a talented and multi‑faceted cyber team across our UK business, delivering on customer commitments, and seeking opportunities to embed security by design.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design, implementation, and assurance of cybersecurity architectures for the protection of programme data, systems, and networks.
• Provide expert guidance on security architecture and design patterns for cloud and hybrid environments.
• Conduct risk assessments, threat modelling, and develop mitigation strategies for new and existing solutions.
• Ensure that data and infrastructure are protected by embedding appropriate security controls into architectural designs.
• Produce and maintain architectural documentation, reporting, and communication with relevant stakeholders.
• Embed the existing Security Architecture Framework and associated assurance approach into delivery to maintain overall (build) assurance of system and service security.
• Lead the delivery and assurance of security requirements as part of new demands, ensuring requirements are captured, traced, and assured through design, delivery, and service transition.
• Support the customers in the development of Zero Trust Network Architecture (ZTNA) strategies, including a roadmap to achieve target‑state capabilities.
• Lead security design and security requirements for Microsoft Entra ID, supporting current and shaping the future IDAM strategy and roadmaps.
• Lead the Security Architecture Forums, driving decisions, actions, and architectural governance outcomes for customer programmes.
• Lead engagement with the broader architect community to embed security‑by‑design into IT Governance, Technical Design Authority (TDA) processes.
• Where required (e.g., changing threat landscape or regulatory requirements), lead the development and implementation of security policies and supporting standards to ensure systems stay secure and compliant.

Candidate Information:

• British – Many of our projects have nationality restrictions.
• SC cleared (Or Eligible to undergo SC Vetting) – many of our projects have nationality restrictions.

Education/Experience

• 2–4 years’ experience in a security architecture or senior security engineering role.
• 1–2 years in a technical leadership or architecture‑focused position.
• Relevant security architecture certifications (e.g., SABSA, TOGAF, CISSP‑ISSAP, Microsoft Certified: Cybersecurity Architect Expert, AWS Certified Security – Specialty, or similar) are an advantage.

Essential Process Skills/Experience

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; works well in a team environment.
• Experience of the IT systems engineering and architecture lifecycle.
• Understanding of the controlling processes for the systems engineering lifecycle (e.g., requirements management, configuration management, testing and assurance) and where security architecture fits into these.
• Familiarity with different lifecycles/methodologies (waterfall, incremental, agile, DevOps).
• Solid understanding of Confidentiality, Integrity, and Availability (CIA) and practical experience in applying that understanding in architectural delivery.
• Experience designing secure solutions for sensitive environments.
• Understanding of service operations and security operational management planning.
• Awareness of Security Frameworks such as ISO 27001, ISO 27002, NIST, and NCSC Cloud Security Principles.
• Experience mentoring and acting in a team lead or senior role, supporting junior members of the team. Experience working on accredited security solutions in sensitive government or CNI scenarios.

Desirable Experience

• Experience working in both customer delivery and consulting environments.
• Experience in SecDevOps, infrastructure as code, or security as code.
• Experience working in CNI or Public Sector project environments.
• Working within an AGILE environment.
• Experience defining and implementing Zero Trust / ZTNA roadmaps and identity security patterns (e.g., Microsoft Entra ID governance and access controls)

Technology Skills/Experience

• Deep understanding of network and boundary protection technologies (firewalls, mail gateways, load balancers, anti‑virus, IPS, IDS).
• Evidence of experience architecting Cloud Security Controls on both Azure and AWS.
• Practical experience with Protective Monitoring systems (SIEM/SOC) and the principles of their deployment.
• Understanding of authentication and authorisation technologies (SAML, LDAP, PKI, etc.).
• Strong grasp of encryption protocols, structures, and their deployment in secure architectures.
• Experience defining and implementing security requirements for systems, including:
  • Microsoft OS
  • Linux OS
  • Virtualisation technologies
  • Networking
  • Endpoint Security Products

Communication and Soft Skills

• Capable of developing and communicating a vision to meet system and security requirements.
• Ability to communicate complex technical ideas across a wide range of audiences.
• A proficient level of commercial awareness and project disciplines.

Are you ready to make an impact? Begin your journey of a flourishing and meaningful career, share your CV with us today!

Everything we do is built on our commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our employees, and our communities. Learn more about the values and culture that are the foundations of our business. Our work in the United Kingdom includes addressing some of the most complex problems in national security, defence, government, logistics and operations, transportation, and energy.

What we do for you:
At Leidos we are PASSIONATE about customer success, UNITED as a team and INSPIRED to make a difference. We offer meaningful and engaging careers, a collaborative culture, and support for your career goals, all while nurturing a healthy work‑life balance.

We provide an employment package that attracts, develops and retains only the best in talent. Our reward scheme includes:

• Contributory Pension Scheme
• Private Medical Insurance
• 33 days Annual Leave (including public and privilege holidays)
• Access to Flexible benefits (including life assurance, health schemes, gym memberships, annual buy and sell holidays and a cycle to work scheme)
• Access to Flexi-time benefits

Commitment to Diversity:

We welcome applications from every part of the community and are committed to a truly diverse and inclusive culture. We foster a sense of belonging, welcoming all perspectives and contributions, and providing equal access to opportunities and resources for everyone. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages please let us know, and we will respond in a way that best fits your needs.

Who We Are:

Leidos UK & EUROPE – we work to make the world safer, healthier, and more efficient through technology, engineering and science.

Leidos is a growing company delivering innovative technology and solutions focused on safeguarding critical capabilities and transformation in frontline services, our work in the United Kingdom includes addressing some of the most complex problems in defence, healthcare, government, safety and security, and transportation.

What Makes Us Different:
Purpose: you can use your passion and abilities at Leidos to keep the people you care about safe. We are at the forefront of machine learning, AI, cyber security and solutions. Using your skills in the technology frontline by helping to build a safer world. You can inspire change.

Collaboration: having flexibility to do your job is one of our core benefits, enabling you to become part of our extraordinary team. We have been empowering our people to work flexibly for years. Whether you work from home, the office or on customer sites, we will give you the digital tools and the flexibility to work smarter and align your needs and ours.

People: Leidos empowers people from every background to be themselves and gives you the tools to learn new skills by enabling growth whilst developing. We believe that extraordinary people need opportunities to grow, to be inspired and to inspire others. At Leidos, we invest in technical academies, career rotations and a career development plans that enhance your future.

Come break things (in a good way). Then build them smarter.

We're the tech company everyone calls when things get weird. We don’t wear capes (they’re a safety hazard), but we do solve high‑stakes problems with code, caffeine, and a healthy disregard for “how it’s always been done.”

Original Posting:

For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range:

£61,500.00-£78,800.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

About Leidos

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That’s why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.

Securing Your Data

Beware of fake employment opportunities using Leidos’ name. Leidos will never ask you to provide payment‑related information during any part of the employment application process (i.e., ask you for money), nor will Leidos ever advance money as part of the hiring process (i.e., send you a check or money order before doing any work). Further, Leidos will only communicate with you through emails that are generated by the Leidos.com automated system – never from free commercial services (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail) or via WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. If you received an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment‑related information or any other personal information (e.g., about you or your previous employer), and you are concerned about its legitimacy, please make us aware immediately by emailing us at [e-mail].

If you believe you are the victim of a scam, contact your local law enforcement and report the incident to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.