Defence Solution Architect

Ncounter Limited; Dundee; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Ncounter Limited is expanding its defence-focused consultancy and seeks a Defence Solution Architect to shape target architectures across secure cloud, data and integration efforts for UK Defence and National Security programmes.

You will work with military and Civil Service stakeholders, produce architecture artefacts, support governance and assurance, and help deliver complex transformation with clearance (SC/DV advantageous).

Qualifications

• Strong experience in Solution/Enterprise/Data or Technical Architecture
• Significant Defence/National Security architecture delivery experience
• Ability to produce HLDs/LLDs, reference architectures, roadmaps and standards
• Understanding of MOD architecture governance, assurance and security requirements
• Experience across cloud, hybrid and on-premise environments with secure platforms
• Knowledge of APIs, identity, IAM, PKI and modern data-sharing approaches
• Familiarity with architectures frameworks/tools (TOGAF, MODAF, ArchiMate, BizzDesign)
• Ability to liaise with military, Civil Service, engineering and senior programme stakeholders

Responsibilities

• Shape target architectures across Defence and National Security programmes
• Design secure cloud solutions and data integration approaches
• Provide architecture assurance across major transformation programmes
• Develop and maintain architecture artefacts, governance and roadmaps
• Engage with stakeholders to translate requirements into practical architectures
• Support design reviews and architecture governance activities
• Navigate security, clearance and compliance in project delivery

Skills

Solution Architecture

Enterprise Architecture

Data Architecture

Technical Architecture

Tools

TOGAF

MODAF

ArchiMate

BizzDesign

Job description

Defence Solution Architect

Ncounter are supporting a growing technology consultancy looking for experienced Architects to work across some of the UK's most complex Defence and National Security programmes. We are particularly interested in candidates who have built their architecture career within Defence and can operate across solution, data, cloud and secure infrastructure environments.

This is a broad architecture position rather than a narrowly defined technical role. You could be shaping target architectures, designing secure cloud solutions, defining how data and systems integrate, or providing architecture assurance across major transformation programmes. The key requirement is an ability to understand complex Defence environments and turn operational and technical requirements into practical architecture.

What we're looking for:

• Strong Solution, Enterprise, Data or Technical Architecture experience
• Significant experience delivering architecture within UK Defence, National Security or similarly secure government environments
• Experience producing HLDs, LLDs, reference architectures, roadmaps, standards and other architecture artefacts
• Understanding of MOD architecture governance, assurance and security requirements
• Experience across cloud, hybrid and on-premise environments, ideally including secure or disconnected platforms
• Knowledge of systems integration, APIs, identity, IAM, PKI and modern data-sharing approaches
• Familiarity with architecture frameworks and tooling such as TOGAF, MODAF, ArchiMate or BizzDesign
• Ability to work with military, Civil Service, engineering and senior programme stakeholdersExperience taking architecture through governance, design reviews and technical assurance

Experience across AI, data platforms, automation, Secure by Design or DevSecOps would be particularly valuable, although we are not expecting applicants to cover every technical area.

You'll join a consultancy working on programmes where architecture has a direct impact on critical Defence capabilities. There is scope to work across different technical domains, influence major technology decisions and take ownership of complex architecture challenges from early discovery through to delivery.

UK Security Clearance eligibility is essential, with existing SC or DV clearance particularly welcomed.