Satcom Architect

Our client, a leading UK defence organisation, is seeking an experienced SATCOM Architect to join the SATCOM Engineering Design Authority (SEDA) team. The successful candidate will lead the development, governance, and maintenance of the SATCOM programme architecture baselines, ensuring coherence across the system and alignment with the broader Defence Digital Enterprise Architecture.

This role is critical in shaping the SATCOM Architecture roadmap—from current (As-Is) to future (To-Be)—and providing Subject Matter Expertise (SME) across the full engineering lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the SATCOM architecture team within the SATCOM Engineering Design Authority.
• Own and evolve the SATCOM Architecture roadmap, guiding progression from current (As-Is) to future (To-Be) states.
• Develop, document, and maintain the SATCOM Programme’s System Architecture.
• Capture and manage all architecture baselines in the authorised repository, ensuring accuracy and governance.
• Provide SATCOM architectural Subject Matter Expertise (SQEP) to design, development, assurance, and enterprise-wide integration activities.
• Interface with the wider End-to-End Enterprise Architecture and Defence Digital Architecture stakeholders.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Proven experience managing technical architecture processes for large, complex systems.
• Demonstrable experience developing, controlling, and governing architecture baselines, including system interfaces and dependencies.
• Experience defining and utilising Use Cases to translate user needs into system functionality.
• Solid knowledge of Satellite Communications Systems (military or commercial).
• Practical experience applying the NATO Architecture Framework (NAF) .
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to translate between technical and non-technical audiences.

Desirable Skills & Experience

• Knowledge of Military SATCOM systems.
• Understanding of MoD engineering and delivery frameworks such as KiD and GEAR .
• Experience using architecture tooling including Sparx EA , Bizzdesign (preferred), or similar.
• Familiarity with architecture modelling languages such as ArchiMate , UML , and SysML (ArchiMate preferred).
• Understanding of the full Systems Engineering lifecycle (e.g., INCOSE, ISO/IEC 15288).
• Experience developing Service Architectures and end-to-end solutions.

Engagement Details

• Inside IR35 – via Umbrella or PAYE.
• On-site presence in South West UK required (hybrid options may be considered).
• Opportunity to work on major UK defence SATCOM programmes with long-term programme visibility.