Security Operations Center Architect

Anson McCade; Guildford; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Anson McCade is seeking an experienced Lead SOC Architect in the United Kingdom to design and deliver SOC solutions for high-profile government and defence customers. The role is senior and client‑facing, shaping SOC across people, services, processes, technology and physical infrastructure from concept to deployment.

You will engage with stakeholders, lead end‑to‑end architectures, and apply best practices in security, risk management and compliance.

Qualifications

• Senior, client-facing role requiring active security clearances.
• Proven experience designing and deploying SOC solutions in complex environments.
• Hands-on knowledge of two or more: SIEM, SOAR, EDR, vulnerability management, threat intelligence.
• Strong understanding of SOC operating models, security processes, people and governance.
• Experience with cloud and on‑premise security architectures; TOGAF knowledge.
• Strong stakeholder management, including government or defence exposure.

Responsibilities

• Engage with senior client stakeholders to understand and define security requirements.
• Architect end‑to‑end SOC solutions, including CONOPS and deployment designs.
• Lead solution architecture across the full lifecycle from design to operation.
• Design and integrate security technologies including SIEM, SOAR, EDR and vulnerability management.
• Assess existing SOC capabilities and recommend improvements to security maturity.
• Develop scalable, resilient on‑premise and cloud architectures.
• Apply security best practices such as least privilege and encryption.
• Identify and evaluate new technologies to meet complex requirements.
• Collaborate with product specialists to deliver secure solutions.
• Work across Agile, Lean, Waterfall and iterative delivery environments.

Skills

SOC Architect

Security Architect

SIEM

SOAR

EDR

Threat Intelligence

TOGAF

SC clearance

DV clearance

Governance

Job description

We’re looking for an experienced Lead SOC Architect to design and deliver Security Operations Centre solutions for high-profile government and defence customers.

This is a senior, client-facing role where you’ll shape SOC solutions across people, services, processes, technology and physical infrastructure, from initial concept and architecture through to deployment and operational delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Engage with senior client stakeholders to understand and define security and accreditation requirements.
• Architect end-to-end SOC solutions, including CONOPS, high-level, low-level and deployment designs.
• Lead solution architecture across the full lifecycle, from conceptualisation and design through to build, deployment and operation.
• Design and integrate security technologies including SIEM, SOAR, EDR, Vulnerability Management and Threat Intelligence.
• Assess existing SOC capabilities and recommend improvements to increase security maturity.
• Develop scalable, resilient and secure on-premise and cloud architectures.
• Apply security best practices including least privilege, encryption and effective risk management.
• Identify and evaluate new technologies and solutions to address complex or emerging requirements.
• Work with product specialists and technical SMEs to deliver secure, effective solutions.
• Work across Agile, Lean, Waterfall and iterative delivery environments.

Key Skills & Experience

• Proven experience as a SOC Architect / Security Architect in complex enterprise environments.
• Strong experience designing and deploying SOC solutions.
• Hands-on knowledge of at least two of: SIEM, SOAR, EDR, Vulnerability Management, Threat Intelligence.
• Strong understanding of SOC operating models, security processes, people and governance.
• Experience with cloud and on-premise security architecture.
• Strong understanding of cyber threats, mitigation techniques, risk and vulnerability management.
• Experience designing scalable, resilient and secure architectures.
• Knowledge of enterprise ICT services and architectural frameworks such as TOGAF.
• Strong client-facing and stakeholder management skills, including experience working with government or defence organisations.
• Minimum SC clearance, with DV clearance highly desirable.