Principal Architect - IT Platforms

QinetiQ Limited; Malvern; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Matched contribution pension scheme with life assurance

Generous holiday allowance

Health Cash Plan options

Employee discount portal

Volunteering opportunities

Armed Forces Covenant support

Volunteering opportunities

Job summary

A leading defense technology firm in Malvern is seeking a Principal Senior Technical Architect for IT Platforms. The role involves shaping complex IT systems designed for defense, ensuring compliance with military standards, and collaborating with various stakeholders. Candidates should have extensive experience in secure architecture, knowledge of cloud technologies, and strong leadership skills. This position offers hybrid work options and opportunities for career growth in an innovative environment.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience architecting secure, complex systems within regulated sectors.
• Deep knowledge of various technologies such as cloud architectures and cybersecurity.
• Understanding of MOD acquisition frameworks and secure by design principles.
• Leadership of multi-disciplinary teams and stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities

• Develop end-to-end solution architectures for defence IT.
• Lead architectural governance ensuring compliance with MOD standards.
• Shape technical roadmaps aligned with growth and defence strategies.
• Collaborating with senior users, programme managers, and engineering leads to translate operational needs into technical solutions.

Skills

Secure networks and cross domain solutions

Cloud and Hybrid architectures

Data architectures/integration/interoperability standards

Cybersecurity/cryptographic controls

Systems engineering

Enterprise architecture

Model based approaches

Education

Chartered Engineer (CEng) or equivalent relevant experience

Job description

Job Title: Principal Senior Technical Architect - IT Platforms

Location: Malvern, England, United Kingdom

Role Type: Permanent – Full Time

Package: Competitive Salary + Benefits

Role ID: SF19685

Are you ready to be part of the future? At QinetiQ, we’re not just imagining tomorrow we are creating it. From cutting edge defence technology to ground breaking innovations our mission is to empower and protect lives. Join us as a Senior Principle Technical Architect – IT Platforms at either our Farnborough or Malvern site, where you will have the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology in partnership with some of the most brilliant minds.

The Role

As a Principle Technical Architect – IT Platforms, you will play a pivotal role in shaping, designing, and governing complex defence grade IT and mission systems operating. You will be operating at the intersection of technology, security, and operational capability, this role ensures that solutions are architected to meet stringent defence requirements, integrate seamlessly across domains, and resilient, scalable, and future proof.

Day-to-day, you will work closely with programme leadership, engineering teams, military stakeholders, and industry partners to translate operational needs into robust innovative solutions that enable mission success.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Developing end to end solution architectures for National Security, Defence IT, C5ISR, mission systems, and secure services and consultancy
• Leading architectural governance, ensuring compliance with MOD standards, JSPs, DEFSTANs, NIST, and relevant NATO frameworks
• Shaping technical roadmaps aligned with growth roadmaps and long-term defence strategies evaluating and selecting technologies across cloud, edge computing, secure networks, data platforms, AI/ML, and mission critical software
• Collaborating with senior military users, programme managers, and engineering leads to capture operational needs and translate them into technical solutions
• Being responsible for the delivery of compelling and innovative solutions to successfully win and deliver competitive bids and projects
• Providing architectural oversight throughout the solution lifecycle, from bid and concept development to delivery and in service support

Essential experience of the Principal Technical Architect – IT Platforms:

• Extensive experience architecting secure, complex systems within defence, national security, aerospace, or similarly regulated sectors
• Deep knowledge of different technologies such as – Secure networks and cross domain solutions, Cloud and Hybrid architectures, Data architectures/integration/interoperability standards, Mission systems/sensors/platform integration, and Cybersecurity/cryptographic controls
• A strong understanding of MOD acquisition frameworks, security classifications, and secure by design principles
• Expertise in systems engineering, enterprise architecture and model based approaches
• Proven ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams and influence senior stakeholders

Essential qualifications for the Principal Technical Architect – IT Platforms:

• Chartered Engineer (CEng) or equivalent relevant experience

We value difference and we don’t have a fixed idea when it comes to background or education, provided you can show the required level of experience and willingness to learn then we would like to hear from you.

This role is 37 hours per week based at either our Farnborough or Malvern site. Hybrid working patterns are available. Frequent customer travel will be required.

Farnborough

At our Farnborough site exciting work takes place at our state-of-the-art facility, with high-energy laser technologies, our 5m pressurised wind tunnel which has a simulation capability that is unique in the UK and our large research and development projects is a real hub of creativity, research and innovation. Join our talented teams of Engineers, IT & Cyber Specialists, Project Managers, Group Functions Teams and many more to provide future defences in the UK.

Why Join QinetiQ?

As we continue to grow into new markets around the world, there’s never been a more exciting time to join QinetiQ. The formula for success is our appetite for innovation and having the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges.

As a QinetiQ employee, you’ll experience a unique working environment where teams from different backgrounds, disciplines and experiences enjoy collaborating widely and openly as we undertake this exciting and rewarding journey. Through effective teamwork, and pulling together, you’ll get to experience what happens when we all share different perspectives, blend disciplines, and link technologies; constantly discovering new ways of solving complex problems in a diverse and inclusive environment where you can be authentic, feel valued and realise your full potential. Visit our website to read more about our diverse and inclusive workplace culture. www.qinetiq.com/en/careers/life-at-qinetiq

• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
• Generous holiday allowance, with the option to purchase additional days
• Options to join Health Cash Plan, Private Medical Insurance and Dental Insurance
• Employee discount portal: Personal Accident Insurance, Travel Insurance, Restaurants, Cinema Tickets and much more
• We are proud to support the Armed Forces community by honouring the Armed Forces Covenant and maintaining our Gold Award standard in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
• Volunteering Opportunities - helping charities and local community

Our Recruitment Process

We want to make sure that our recruitment process is as inclusive as possible and we aspire to bring out the best in our candidates by creating an environment where everyone feels value, heard and supported. If you have a disability or health condition that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your Recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Many roles in QinetiQ are subject to national security vetting being completed, applicants who already hold the appropriate level of vetting may be able to transfer it upon appointment. A number of roles are also subject to additional restrictions, which mean factors such as nationality or previous nationalities may affect the roles that you can be employed in.

Please note that all applicants for this role must be willing to go through DV Clearance.