Lead Technical Architect

Summer-Browning Associates; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Summer-Browning Associates is supporting a Central Government client in London for a Lead Technical Architect on a 6-month contract, hybrid location with London. The role requires extensive cloud architecture leadership, AI security expertise, and strong systems integration capabilities to deliver end-to-end solutions within a highly secure environment.

The candidate should demonstrate governance experience, knowledge of DPIA and NCSC standards, and the ability to translate complex requirements

Qualifications

• Experience leading cloud architecture across enterprise environments.
• Hands-on with secure AI architectures and privacy controls.
• Ability to design modular, interoperable systems and APIs.
• Knowledge of government security standards and DPIA processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead enterprise cloud architecture initiatives across GCP and/or AWS.
• Design secure, scalable solutions with modular components.
• Oversee API layers and integration with central AI capabilities.
• Navigate architectural governance and assurance processes.

Skills

Enterprise Cloud Architecture

AI Security

Systems Integration

API Architecture

Architectural Governance

Privacy & DPIA

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.