Lead Technical Architect

Summer-Browning Associates Ltd; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Summer-Browning Associates is seeking a Lead Technical Architect for a Central Government client in London. The role is hybrid, initially a 6-month assignment with potential extension and a focus on enterprise cloud architecture, AI security, systems integration, and governance.

You will lead design across GCP/AWS, secure landing zones, API layers, and ensure compliance with UK security standards and DPIAs in highly secure environments.

Qualifications

• Experience leading cloud architecture across enterprise environments (GCP and/or AWS).
• Designing secure, scalable architectures for complex enterprise environments.
• Familiarity with UK government security standards and secure environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead enterprise cloud architecture initiatives across platforms (GCP and/or AWS).
• Design modular components and API layers for end-to-end delivery.
• Provide architectural governance and assurance within government-facing projects.

Skills

Cloud architecture

GCP/AWS

IAM & Landing Zones

AI security

API architecture

Systems integration

Governance & assurance

Security by design

Job description

Lead Technical Architect -

Summer-Browning Associates is supporting our client in the Central Government who is seeking a Lead Technical Architect for an initial 6-month assignment, with the possibility of extension.

Location: London | Hybrid

The ideal candidate will bring extensive experience in enterprise cloud architecture, AI security, systems integration, and architectural governance, with the ability to translate complex technical requirements into end-to-end solutions. A strong understanding of UK government security standards and experience operating within highly secure environments.

The following skills and experience are required:

Enterprise Cloud Architecture

• Extensive experience leading cloud architecture across GCP and/or AWS environments.
• Expertise in secure Cloud Landing Zones, Identity and Access Management (IAM) hierarchies, and microservices architecture.
• Proven ability to design secure, scalable solutions for complex enterprise environments.

AI Guardrails & Perimeter Defence

• Hands-on experience designing deterministic AI safety controls and secure AI architectures.
• Knowledge of human-in-the-loop approval mechanisms, VPC Service Controls, Workload Identity Federation (WIF), and Microsoft Entra ID.
• Experience establishing privacy, data protection, and Personally Identifiable Information (PII) masking controls.

Strategic & Technical Architecture Leadership

• Proven experience leading both strategic architecture and detailed technical design.
• Ability to design modular components and services, ensuring seamless interoperability and delivery of end-to-end business outcomes.
• Strong understanding of architectural patterns, design principles, and technical solution delivery.

Systems Integration & API Architecture

• Experience designing modular, vendor-neutral software architectures and API layers.
• Ability to integrate core enterprise platforms with central AI capabilities and workflow systems.
• Strong understanding of interoperability, integration patterns, and technology-agnostic design.

Architectural Governance & Assurance

• Experience navigating UK central government architectural governance and Technical Design Authority (approval processes.
• Understanding of Data Protection Impact Assessments (DPIAs), cyber security assurance, and relevant NCSC standards.
• Familiarity with Secure by Design, Cloud Security Principles, GDS guidance, and Government Functional Standards.

Desirable Experience

• Previous experience working within central government, defence, or other highly secure environments.
• Familiarity with UK government security frameworks and the challenges of delivering AI and cloud solutions in high-threat settings.