Lead Technical Architect

On behalf of the MOD, we are looking for a Lead Technical Architect (Inside IR35) for a 3 Month contract based Hybrid in Bristol (MOD Abbey Wood), Corsham or London – flexible base, with occasional travel to other MOD sites.

We are seeking a highly experienced Lead Technical Architect to act as a design authority across multiple Defence Digital programmes, governing the architecture and delivery of complex, enterprise-scale solutions across a multi-cloud environment (AWS & Azure).

This role is focused on architecture governance, technical assurance, and strategic design leadership, ensuring all solutions are secure, scalable, interoperable, and aligned to MOD and  standards.

• Act as a technical design authority, reviewing and assuring solution architectures across multiple programmes
• Ensure solutions are fit-for-purpose, compliant, and aligned to Defence Digital and  standards
• Provide technical leadership across a complex, multi-cloud (AWS & Azure) ecosystem
• Own and assure the design of secure, scalable, cloud-native architectures across multiple programmes
• Drive consistency and technical coherence across programmes and delivery teams
• Oversee adoption of Dev Ops, CI/CD, Infrastructure as Code, and platform engineering practices
• Govern API, integration, and data architecture, including large-scale data migrations
• Conduct architecture reviews, risk assessments, and technical assurance activities
• Produce and maintain key architecture artefacts (HLDs, roadmaps, integration designs)
• Collaborate with engineering, security, and delivery teams to ensure successful implementation
• SC Clearance is an essential requirement for this role, as a minimum you must be willing & eligible to undergo checks. Please note, due to the exceptional requirements of this position (short-term nature of this role and speed at which we require a postholder in situ) preference may be given to candidates who meet all of the essential criteria and hold active security clearance.
• Proven experience operating as a Lead / Principal Architect or Design Authority in complex environments
• Strong background in enterprise architecture across cloud (AWS & Azure)
• Experience working in secure or regulated environments (e.g. MOD, government, defence)
• Deep understanding of architecture governance, standards, and assurance processes
• Strong experience across:
  • Cloud-native architecture
  • Dev Ops, Kubernetes, CI/CD, IaC
  • Integration (APIs, microservices)
  • Data architecture and migration
• Knowledge of TOGAF, Archi Mate or NAF
• Experience with Defence Digital or similar government standards
• Exposure to platform engineering or large-scale transformation programmes

Please be aware that this role can only be worked within the UK and not Overseas.

As a member of the Disability Confident Scheme, the MOD guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group.

This scheme encourages candidates with a disability and/or neurodivergence to apply. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.

The MOD guarantees to interview veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex‑military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group. In exceptional circumstances, we may also need to apply the desirable criteria in our shortlisting process which may include holding active security clearance.