Our client is looking for an experienced Lead Technical Architect to provide technical leadership across complex cloud environments, with a strong focus on multi-cloud architecture, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), security and AI-driven innovation.
You will be responsible for defining architectural strategies, designing secure and scalable solutions, and identifying opportunities to introduce AI technologies that deliver measurable improvements.
This is a senior, hands-on position requiring someone who can identify AI opportunities and take them through to practical implementation, rather than focusing solely on high-level architectural strategy.
You will work closely with senior stakeholders, engineering teams and other architects to ensure technical solutions align with business objectives, security requirements and wider technology strategies.
Responsibilities
- Lead the architecture and design of complex, large-scale cloud solutions across multiple platforms.
- Define and implement multi-cloud architecture strategies, ensuring security, scalability and resilience.
- Design, configure and optimise infrastructure within Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
- Implement and manage VPC Service Controls to strengthen cloud security and data protection.
- Identify opportunities to introduce AI and automation across existing services and business processes.
- Translate AI opportunities into practical technical solutions and oversee their implementation.
- Provide technical leadership and architectural guidance across multiple projects and services.
- Establish and maintain architecture standards, design patterns, policies and technical roadmaps.
- Review and assure technical designs to ensure alignment with security, governance and organisational requirements.
- Identify architectural risks, dependencies and opportunities for improvement.
- Collaborate with senior technical and business stakeholders to influence strategic decisions.
- Explain complex technical concepts, risks and recommendations to non-technical audiences.
- Support wider architecture governance and provide guidance to technical architects and engineering teams.
- Active SC clearance is essential and must be current at the point of application.
Essential Experience & Technical Skills
- Proven experience as a Lead Technical Architect, Cloud Architect or Principal Architect within complex enterprise environments.
- Strong track record of designing and delivering multi-cloud architecture solutions.
- Extensive hands-on experience with Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
- Demonstrable expertise configuring and managing GCP VPC Service Controls.
- Strong understanding of cloud security architecture, governance and risk management.
- Experience identifying, designing and implementing AI-driven solutions or automation opportunities.
- Ability to translate business challenges into practical technical solutions.
- Experience providing technical leadership across complex or high-risk projects.
- Strong knowledge of architecture principles, design patterns, technical standards and strategic roadmaps.
- Experience reviewing and assuring architectural designs across multiple services.
- Strong stakeholder management skills, including influencing senior technical and business leaders.
- Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to non-technical audiences.
- Experience making architectural decisions while managing technical risk and complexity.
- Active SC clearance is essential and must be current at the point of application.
- Experience delivering cloud architecture within UK Government, public sector or highly regulated environments.
- Knowledge of additional cloud platforms such as AWS or Microsoft Azure.
- Experience implementing enterprise AI solutions within secure cloud environments.
- Familiarity with AI governance, data security and responsible AI implementation.
- Experience supporting cloud transformation and modernisation programmes.
- Knowledge of cloud networking, identity and access management, and data protection.
- Experience contributing to enterprise architecture governance and technical assurance.
- Experience mentoring architects and influencing technical strategy across multiple teams.