SC Cleared Solution Architect

iO Associates; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 111,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

iO Associates is seeking an experienced Solution Architect to join a major government/defence programme in Reading. The role focuses on reviewing and assuring designs to ensure security, scalability and best-practice alignment, with on-site presence two days per week.

The ideal candidate will have SC or DV clearance, experience with complex secure systems, and a strong background in architecture principles and design assurance across Azure, Microsoft 365 and VMware environments.

Qualifications

• SFIA level 5/6 preferred.
• Experience with government/defence systems.
• Ability to review and assure technical designs.

Responsibilities

• Review and assure technical and solution designs.
• Challenge architecture decisions and provide recommendations.
• Assess whether proposed solutions are fit for purpose.
• Consider performance, resilience and latency requirements.
• Provide architectural guidance across complex technology environments.
• Work across Azure, Microsoft 365, VMware and defence networks.
• Identify technical risks, gaps and areas for improvement.

Skills

Solution Architect

Technical Architect

SFIA 5/6

Tools

Azure

Microsoft 365

VMware

Job description

Location:Reading, 2 days per week on-site
Contract: 12 months + potential extensions
Rate: £600–£675 per day Outside IR35
Clearance: Active SC or DV Clearance required

We are looking for an experienced, SC/DV ClearedeSolution Architect to join a major programme working across sensitive government and defence systems.

This is primarily an architecture assurance role, where you will review and challenge technical designs and architecture decisions, ensuring solutions are appropriate, secure, scalable and aligned with best practice.

Key Responsibilities

• Review and assure technical and solution designs
• Challenge architecture decisions and provide recommendations
• Assess whether proposed solutions are fit for purpose
• Consider performance, resilience and latency requirements
• Provide architectural guidance across complex technology environments
• Work across Azure, Microsoft 365, VMware and defence networks
• Identify technical risks, gaps and areas for improvement

About You

• Experienced Solution Architect / Technical Architect, ideally SFIA 5/6
• Experience working with complex, sensitive or highly secure government/defence systems
• Experience reviewing and assuring technical designs
• Strong understanding of architecture principles and best practice
• Knowledge of high-grade cryptography and secure defence networks is highly desirable

This is a fantastic opportunity to work on a large-scale, sensitive defence programme, with an initial 12-month contract and potential for longer-term extensions.