Technical Architect

Meritus; Andover; Hybrid; GBP 110,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Meritus is looking for a Technical Architect to lead complex system design in a high-security central government programme based in Andover. The role requires strong experience in SSDLC, cloud technologies, and architectural governance.

Key responsibilities include overseeing the full delivery lifecycle, providing technical leadership, and ensuring compliance with security principles. A competitive salary of £110,000 - £120,000 plus package is offered for this on-site role with two days office attendance per week.

Qualifications

• Strong experience in Secured Software Development Lifecycle (SSDLC).
• Has knowledge in Cloud platforms, either AWS or Azure.
• Experience with DevOps toolchains and practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end technical design of complex systems.
• Define, review, and assure architectural solutions.
• Provide governance across development and integration activities.

Skills

Secure Software Development Lifecycle (SSDLC)

Cloud platforms (AWS or Azure)

DevOps / CI/CD toolchains and practices

Microservices and web services architecture

REST, SOAP, JSON-based integrations

Identity and access management (SAML, OAuth, OpenID Connect, Active Directory, LDAP, ADFS)

Secure application development (Java or .NET)

Agile delivery environments

API-driven architectures

Security frameworks and principles (OWASP, NCSC guidance)

Data protection and GDPR-compliant design

Tools

AWS

Azure

Job description

Technical Architect

Central Government Programme | Defence Environment

Andover HQ (2 days onsite per week)

£110,000 - £120,000 + package

SC Clearance required

Overview

An opportunity has opened for a Technical Architect to join a high-security central government programme supporting a major defence-related capability. This is a hands-on architecture role where you will take ownership of complex system design across large-scale, secure environments, ensuring solutions are robust, compliant, and aligned to wider enterprise strategy.

You will operate across multi-disciplinary teams, providing technical leadership from early concept through to delivery, governance, and ongoing optimisation.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end technical design of complex systems and services
• Define, review, and assure architectural solutions across the full delivery lifecycle
• Provide governance and technical oversight across development and integration activity
• Conduct impact assessments, design reviews, and risk evaluation of solution changes
• Translate business and technical requirements into scalable, secure architectures
• Ensure adherence to enterprise standards, security principles, and regulatory requirements
• Apply architectural principles across software, infrastructure, cloud, and integration layers
• Support secure solution design aligned to government and defence security standards
• Contribute to architecture boards, governance forums, and technical decision-making
• Provide mentoring, guidance, and architectural leadership to delivery teams
• Support pre-sales / bid activity including solution shaping, estimation, and client engagement
• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend improvements across platforms and services
• Lead or support proof of concepts and technical demonstrations

Technical Environment

Strong experience required in:

• Secure Software Development Lifecycle (SSDLC)
• Cloud platforms (AWS or Azure)
• DevOps / CI/CD toolchains and practices
• Microservices and web services architecture
• REST, SOAP, JSON-based integrations
• Identity and access management (SAML, OAuth, OpenID Connect, Active Directory, LDAP, ADFS)
• Secure application development (Java or .NET)
• Agile delivery environments
• API-driven architectures
• Security frameworks and principles (OWASP, NCSC guidance)
• Data protection and GDPR-compliant design

Desirable Experience

• Defence, central government or highly regulated environments
• SC cleared environments
• Data architecture and modern data platforms
• Real-time data integration, APIs, streaming or IoT
• AI or emerging technology solutions
• Public sector procurement / bid support exposure
• Industry certifications (AWS, Azure, Microsoft or equivalent)

About You

• Has operated as a Technical Architect or Senior Solution Architect in complex environments
• Can operate across both hands-on technical design and stakeholder engagement
• Understands how to balance security, scalability, and delivery constraints
• Is confident working in governance-heavy, regulated environments
• Can influence senior stakeholders and translate complexity into clear decisions