Senior Architect (Defence/Nuclear)

Manpower Group (UK); Reading; On-site; GBP 83,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Leading international engineering, design and project management consultancy is seeking a Senior Architect for its Reading team. The role focuses on delivering complex infrastructure programmes within highly regulated environments, including defence and nuclear sectors.

You will lead small project teams, manage work packages and collaborate with multidisciplinary specialists to deliver compliant, value-driven design solutions across RIBA stages.

Qualifications

• ARB and/or RIBA qualified Architect with professional registration.
• Minimum 5 years post-qualification experience in architecture.
• Defence and/or nuclear sector experience is essential.
• Experience in QA‑assured environments and regulated industries.

Responsibilities

• Lead architectural design delivery across multiple project stages.
• Supervise architectural team members and coordinate multidisciplinary inputs.
• Develop innovative, buildable and value-driven technical solutions.
• Ensure designs comply with UK planning legislation, building regulations and industry standards.
• Maintain safety, quality and technical governance throughout project delivery.
• Identify and resolve design challenges across multiple disciplines.
• Contribute to sustainable design and modern methods of construction.
• Engage with stakeholders and clients to achieve project objectives.

Skills

Leadership

Team management

Design excellence

Education

ARB/RIBA qualification

Tools

Revit

AutoCAD

Photoshop

Illustrator

Job description

Senior Architect

Reading
£40 - £41 peer hour
40-hour working week
6 - 9 month contract

A leading international engineering, design and project management consultancy is seeking an experienced Senior Architect to join its growing team delivering some of the UK's most complex and critical infrastructure programmes.

This is an exciting opportunity to work on high-profile defence and nuclear projects, helping to shape the future of nationally significant infrastructure within highly regulated environments. Due to the nature of the projects, previous experience within the defence and/or nuclear sector is essential.

The Opportunity

As a Senior Architect, the successful candidate will play a key role within the design function, contributing to the delivery of innovative building and infrastructure solutions across major defence and nuclear programmes.

They will lead small project teams and manage defined work packages, taking responsibility for architectural design delivery while collaborating closely with multidisciplinary teams. The role requires a technically strong professional who can develop practical, compliant and value-driven design solutions while maintaining the highest standards of quality, safety and technical excellence.

Working within a quality-assured design environment, the successful candidate will provide technical leadership, oversee key design decisions and ensure projects are delivered in line with client requirements, regulatory standards and programme objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead architectural design delivery across multiple project stages.
• Manage and supervise architectural team members and coordinate multidisciplinary inputs.
• Develop innovative, buildable and value-driven technical solutions.
• Ensure designs comply with UK planning legislation, building regulations and industry standards.
• Maintain a strong focus on safety, quality and technical governance throughout project delivery.
• Identify and resolve design challenges proactively across multiple disciplines.
• Contribute to the development of sustainable design solutions and modern methods of construction.
• Engage with stakeholders and clients to ensure project objectives are successfully achieved.

Requirements

• ARB and/or RIBA qualified Architect.
• Minimum of 5 years' post-qualification experience.
• Previous experience working within the defence and/or nuclear sector is essential.
• Experience operating within highly regulated industries and QA-assured design environments.
• Demonstrable experience delivering architectural projects across all RIBA stages.
• Strong technical, design and detailing abilities.
• Comprehensive knowledge of UK planning legislation, building regulations and construction standards.
• Proficiency in industry-standard software including Revit, AutoCAD, Photoshop and Illustrator.
• Understanding of security-conscious design principles and CTM requirements within defence and nuclear environments.
• Strong leadership and team management skills, with experience supervising architectural staff preferred.
• Passion for sustainable design, innovation and modern methods of construction.