Defence Solution Architect

Ncounter Technology Recruitment; England; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Ncounter Technology Recruitment is seeking experienced Architects to work across Defence and National Security programmes in the UK. The role covers solution, data, cloud and secure infrastructure, focusing on shaping architectures and delivering assured designs.

You will engage with military, Civil Service and senior programme stakeholders, produce artefacts like HLDs/LLDs, and navigate governance and security requirements to turn complex requirements into practical solutions.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience delivering architecture within Defence, National Security or similarly secure government environments.
• Experience producing HLDs, LLDs, reference architectures and roadmaps.

Responsibilities

• Shaping target architectures and roadmaps for complex Defence programmes.
• Designing secure cloud solutions and data integration across environments.
• Assuring architecture across major transformation programmes and governance reviews.

Skills

Solution Architecture

Enterprise Architecture

Data Architecture

Technical Architecture

Tools

TOGAF

MODAF

ArchiMate

BizzDesign

Job description

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 stakeholders
• Experience 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.

If your background combines strong architecture skills with genuine Defence experience, contact Ncounter to discuss the programmes, technical focus and level that best matches your experience.