Principal Cyber Security Architect

Thebusinessyear; Farnborough; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player in the National Security and Defence domain is seeking a Principal Cyber Security Architect to lead security implementations for critical defence projects. This role involves collaborating with a team of experts to ensure that security designs meet stringent customer requirements while adapting to evolving standards. The ideal candidate will possess a deep understanding of protective security measures and frameworks, with a strong background in risk analysis and security architecture. Join a passionate team committed to making a difference and enjoy a collaborative work environment that supports your career growth and work-life balance.

Benefits

Contributory Pension Scheme

Private Medical Insurance

33 days Annual Leave

Flexible benefits

Gym memberships

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Experience in implementing security frameworks and managing risk.
• Ability to design security architecture for sensitive environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead the implementation of security within key defence bids.
• Develop high- and low-level security architecture designs.

Skills

Cyber Security

Security Frameworks

Risk Analysis

Communication Skills

Project Management

Education

Relevant Cyber Security Certifications (e.g., CISSP)

Degree in Computer Science or related field

Tools

SIEM Products

Cloud Security Solutions

Network Protection Technologies

Job description

Location: Farnborough, UK - You may need to work on customer locations or one of our secure development locations, or a mix of both, as well as an element of working from home.

Looking for an opportunity to make an impact?

Role Overview:

Leidos is expanding in the National Security and Defence domain and are looking for a Principal Cyber Security Architect to support new pursuits, bids, captures and existing delivery programmes based in the UK working at our Farnborough site and remotely.

Leidos has more than 30 years’ experience of developing and running some of the largest government systems in the world.

Come join our team and further develop your skills as we deliver and support systems key to the defence of the UK and partner nations.

Being part of the Leidos team is a commitment to push yourself and those around you to do better, constantly adapt and learn new technologies. We’re a passionate team and are committed to developing and growing our staff.

What Will you Be Doing?

As a result of some exciting programme wins and active new pursuits, Leidos is seeking an enthusiastic proactive Principal Cyber Security Architect to lead the implementation and assurance of security within key defence bids, growth opportunities and project deliveries.

You will possess specialist skills in all areas of protective and information security and have demonstrable experience of applying security frameworks such as Government Functional Standard 007 and the MoD Secure by Design approach.

You will be joining a team of highly skilled and highly motivated individuals delivering solutions based on a large range of technical capabilities and technologies including hardware, software, networks, cloud, IT services and cyber security.

What does Leidos need from me?

As the Principal Cyber Security Architect, you will be able to work with minimal direction on a specific MOD programme or bid or across a range of bids. You will ensure that the solution security design meets the customer functional and non-functional security requirements and provides the necessary assurance to our client, highly likely to be backed up by rigorous assurance and certification processes, normally HMG standards (including MOD-specific JSP), NCSC and NIST 800 standards.

You will have responsibility for interfacing to security design partners across the programme or bid, both customer and supplier representatives, and colleagues within our engineering, service, and business development teams. You will ensure that Leidos can establish and maintain an effective and efficient security architecture for the programme or bid solution, and that the designs will be able to adapt as customer requirements, legislation and assurance standards change over the programme lifespan.

You will be required to develop high- and low-level security architecture designs for systems intended for secure/sensitive environments, with appropriate security based on detailed risk analysis. SABSA qualifications and experience would be desirable.

You will be required to hold security clearance under National Security Vetting processes.

• British - Non-dual national – many of our projects have nationality restrictions
• Willing and able to hold and maintain DV clearance

Process Skills/Experience:

• Experience of a taking a defence in depth and multi layered approach to security architecture
• Experience of applying commensurate detective and protective security controls to reduce risk to an acceptable level
• Understanding of the controlling processes for, and experience of a significant portion of, the systems engineering lifecycle (e.g. requirements management, configuration management)
• Understanding of different lifecycles/methodologies (incremental, SAFe agile, DevOps)
• Experience of the key engineering lifecycle reviews – e.g. System Requirements Review (SRR), Critical Design Review (CDR)
• Experience in performing design trade off working with other architects and engineers to deliver an integrated and coherent solution
• Understanding of service operations and security operational management planning
• Experience working in both delivery and proposal environments and leading key elements of a bid response
• Experience of Defence Digital and relevant solutions and approaches across MOD
• Ability to generate Basis of Estimates and schedules for security aspects of delivery
• Experience of designing a secure software development lifecycle (SDLC) for a customer that's transitioning to a DevOps model

Technology skills/Experience:

• Excellent understanding of Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability (CIA) and practical experience in applying that
• Experience in defining derived security requirements for a system, and managing traceability
• Experience of gaining and maintaining accreditation or assurance for secure/sensitive systems
• Experience of security infrastructure in Public and Private cloud, e.g. virtual network infrastructure, hybrid IaaS/PaaS/SaaS solutions.
• Understanding of MOD ISN 23/09 Secure by Design
• Experience in producing security assurance documentation sets (such as SyOPS, Security Management Plan, ISMS, and to support DART submissions)
• Experience in producing security bid artefacts (such as security responses to PQQ/ITN questions, creation of Project Security Management Plan, System Security Architecture Design, Through Life Security Management Plan, Cyber Risk Assessments)
• Experience of network and boundary protection technologies (firewalls, mail gateways, load balancers, anti-virus), including cross domain technologies.
• Experience of authentication and authorisation technologies (SAML, LDAP, PKI, etc)
• Experience of securing microservice architectures within a cloud environment
• Experience of Virtualisation technologies.
• Understanding of the implementation, operation and maintenance of SIEM products
• The ideal candidate will hold CISSP certification and other industry qualifications such as Risk or Public/Private Cloud certifications.

Communication and Soft Skills:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and works well in a team environment
• Capable of developing and communicating a vision to meet the System Requirements
• Ability to communicate complex technical ideas across a wide range of different audiences
• A good level of commercial awareness that will support the bid and delivery environments

Clearance Requirements:

• Clearance to Start DV
• Clearance for Role DV

What we do for you:
At Leidos we are PASSIONATE about customer success, UNITED as a team and INSPIRED to make a difference. We offer meaningful and engaging careers, a collaborative culture, and support for your career goals, all while nurturing a healthy work-life balance.

We provide an employment package that attracts, develops and retains only the best in talent. Our reward scheme includes:
• Contributory Pension Scheme
• Private Medical Insurance
• 33 days Annual Leave (including public and privilege holidays)
• Access to Flexible benefits (including life assurance, health schemes, gym memberships, annual buy and sell holidays and a cycle to work scheme)

Commitment to Diversity:

We welcome applications from every part of the community and are committed to a truly diverse and inclusive culture. We foster a sense of belonging, welcoming all perspectives and contributions, and providing equal access to opportunities and resources for everyone. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages please let us know, and we will respond in a way that best fits your needs.

Who We Are:

Leidos UK & EUROPE – we work to make the world safer, healthier, and more efficient through technology, engineering and science.

Leidos is a growing company delivering innovative technology and solutions focused on safeguarding critical capabilities and transformation in frontline services, our work in the United Kingdom includes addressing some of the most complex problems in defence, healthcare, government, safety and security, and transportation.

What Makes Us Different:

Purpose: you can use your passion and abilities at Leidos to keep the people you care about safe. We are at the forefront of machine learning, AI, cyber security and solutions. Using your skills in the technology frontline by helping to build a safer world. You can inspire change.

Collaboration: having flexibility to do your job is one of our core benefits, enabling you to become part of our extraordinary team. We have been empowering our people to work flexibly for years. Whether you work from home, the office or on customer sites, we will give you the digital tools and the flexibility to work smarter and align your needs and ours.

People: Leidos empowers people from every background to be themselves and gives you the tools to learn new skills by enabling growth whilst developing. We believe that extraordinary people need opportunities to grow, to be inspired and to inspire others. At Leidos, we invest in technical academies, career rotations and a career development plans that enhance your future.