Lead / Chief Architect

Xebia; Saudi Arabia; On-site; SAR 350,000 - 550,000; Full time

Job summary

Xebia, a global AI-first technology partner, is hiring in Saudi Arabia for a senior enterprise/solution architecture leader. You will define and own reference architecture across multiple workstreams, govern architecture governance boards, and translate strategic objectives into scalable design decisions.

You will mentor a multidisciplinary team of architects, collaborate with government security authorities and senior client stakeholders, and ensure secure-by-design, cloud-first governance

Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in enterprise or solution architecture, including 5+ years supporting government, defence, or national security programmes.
• Proven experience leading architecture governance, including Architecture Review Boards, design reviews, and stage gate assessments.
• Strong understanding of Secure-by-Design principles within classified or restricted environments.
• Experience working with Tier-1 defence contractors or Ministry of Defence programmes.
• Deep expertise in AWS, Azure, or Oracle Cloud, including sovereign cloud, landing zones, identity federation, and network segmentation.
• Knowledge of architecture frameworks such as TOGAF, MoDAF, NAF, or DODAF.
• Strong understanding of Zero Trust Architecture and enterprise-scale implementation.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to engage senior executives and technical teams alike.

Responsibilities

• Defining and owning the programme reference architecture, architecture principles, and design standards across all workstreams.
• Leading architecture governance through Architecture Review Boards (ARB), design authority forums, and stage gate assessments.
• Producing and maintaining Architecture Decision Records (ADRs), conceptual and logical architecture artefacts, and the architecture runway.
• Governing technical risks, dependencies, and architecture-level decisions across the programme.
• Leading and mentoring a multidisciplinary team of solution, security, and data architects.
• Collaborating with government security authorities, defence primes, system integrators, and senior client stakeholders.
• Translating strategic business and programme objectives into scalable, secure architectural decisions.
• Defining and validating non-functional requirements covering performance, resilience, scalability, and availability.

Skills

Enterprise architecture

Architecture governance

Secure-by-Design

Cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/Oracle)

Architecture frameworks (TOGAF/NAF/DOD

Zero Trust Architecture

Stakeholder management

Job description

Xebia is a global AI-first, digital transformation, and engineering partner. With over 25 years of experience and a team of 5,000 professionals across 16 countries, we help organizations design and build scalable products, platforms, and data-driven solutions.

We specialize in Artificial Intelligence, Data and Cloud, Intelligent Automation, and Digital Products, combining deep technical expertise with a strong focus on engineering excellence and a people-first culture.

In the CEE region, we’re a team of nearly 1,000 experts delivering modern applications, data platforms, and AI solutions for clients such as McLaren, Aviva, Deloitte, Spotify, Disney, ING, UPS, Tesco, Truecaller, AllSaints, Volotea, Schmitz Cargobull, Allegro, InPost, and many, many more. We work with leading technologies including AWS, Azure, GCP, Databricks, and Snowflake, and combine strong engineering culture with a consulting mindset and a continuous focus on growth and knowledge sharing.

You will be:

• Defining and owning the programme reference architecture, architecture principles, and design standards across all workstreams.
• Leading architecture governance through Architecture Review Boards (ARB), design authority forums, and stage gate assessments.
• Producing and maintaining Architecture Decision Records (ADRs), conceptual and logical architecture artefacts, and the architecture runway.
• Governing technical risks, dependencies, and architecture-level decisions across the programme.
• Leading and mentoring a multidisciplinary team of solution, security, and data architects.
• Collaborating with government security authorities, defence primes, system integrators, and senior client stakeholders.
• Translating strategic business and programme objectives into scalable, secure architectural decisions.
• Defining and validating non-functional requirements covering performance, resilience, scalability, and availability.

Your profile:

• 12+ years of experience in enterprise or solution architecture, including 5+ years supporting government, defence, or national security programmes.
• Proven experience leading architecture governance, including Architecture Review Boards, design reviews, and stage gate assessments.
• Strong understanding of Secure-by-Design principles within classified or restricted environments.
• Experience working with Tier-1 defence contractors or Ministry of Defence programmes.
• Deep expertise in AWS, Azure, or Oracle Cloud, including sovereign cloud, landing zones, identity federation, and network segmentation.
• Knowledge of architecture frameworks such as TOGAF, MoDAF, NAF, or DODAF.
• Strong understanding of Zero Trust Architecture and enterprise-scale implementation.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to engage senior executives and technical teams alike.

Nice to have:

• Experience supporting GCC or KSA government or defence programmes.
• Familiarity with Saudi NCA or UAE IA cybersecurity frameworks.
• Exposure to C4ISR, C2, or ISR platform architectures.
• Active or recent SC, DV, or NATO SECRET clearance.
• Professional working proficiency in Arabic.
• AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional, Azure Solutions Architect Expert, or equivalent.
• SABSA Chartered Architect certification.

Recruitment Process:

CV review – HR call – Interview – Client Interview – Decision