Lead Architect, Cyber Infrastructure
Introduction Together, we’re working to welcome millions more passengers, while ensuring aviation can continue to be a force for good by leading global efforts in sustainability. At Heathrow, you can be part of this – providing solutions that make every journey better for millions each year. That means ensuring we meet the changing needs of the passengers, colleagues and partners who use our airport to work, travel, trade, shop, eat, explore and connect. Our Solutions team covers project management, process improvement, business change, technology, cyber defence, masterplanning, infrastructure and procurement. It brings together people with the skills to deliver prestigious and often large-scale projects, from transforming terminals to making big reductions in our carbon emissions. Every day will test your skills and give you the opportunity to make your mark. You might be working with the technology and data that power our city within a city, driving vital commercial agreements with everyone from retailers to airlines, or improving the unique infrastructure that includes everything from 200 buildings to 250 HV substations. It’s a collaborative environment, where you can rely on the support of the experts around you as you take on projects you’ll both take pride in and feel passionate about. Job Description We are seeking an experienced Lead Architect to oversee the strategy and technical direction of security technologies across our network, server, and cloud environments. In this role, you will:
- Lead and mentor a team of Cyber Engineers specialising in Network, Server, and Cloud security.
- Provide expert guidance on security architecture and controls to protect critical business assets.
- Strengthen our security posture across on-premise, hybrid, and cloud platforms.
- Work with stakeholders to balance risk, resilience, and commercial priorities.
- Lead and mentor a team of Cyber Engineers specialising in network, server, and cloud security.
- Oversee the design, delivery, and optimisation of security solutions across all infrastructure layers, working with both in-house teams and external partners.
- Act as a trusted advisor, providing security architecture and guidance for projects, BAU, and change initiatives.
- Conduct architectural reviews to ensure systems are secure, resilient, and compliant with regulatory and industry standards.
- Collaborate with stakeholders to align security requirements with business priorities and risk appetite.
- Stay ahead of emerging threats, vulnerabilities, and technologies, shaping security strategy and driving continuous improvement.
- Support incident response and post-incident reviews, strengthening resilience and defences.
- Ensure cost-effective, best-practice solutions while maintaining compliance with industry frameworks and aviation-specific regulations.
- Degree in Computer Science, Information Security or related field (or equivalent experience), plus certifications such as CISSP, CISM, TOGAF, Microsoft or Cisco.
- Experience in cyber security architecture or senior technical security roles, with expertise across network, server, and cloud domains.
- Strong background in Microsoft technologies (Active Directory, Defender, Office 365, Azure), alongside Linux, Cisco, Palo Alto, AWS, Oracle and hybrid cloud environments.
- In-depth knowledge of security frameworks (NIST, ISO 27001, CIS Controls), Zero Trust architectures, and automation/orchestration tools.
- Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams, balancing security with cost and risk, and collaborating across technical and business stakeholders.
- Exposure to regulated industries (aviation or similar) and understanding of compliance standards (CAF, EASA, ICAO).
- Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts for non-technical audiences.
- Proactive, detail-oriented, and adaptable, with a track record of delivering secure, scalable solutions in fast-paced environments.