Platform Architect Design Lead - Inside IR35 - SC Cleared

The Platform Architect Design Lead will provide architectural leadership for a highly secure defence programme, shaping the design and evolution of complex digital and technology platforms supporting next-generation defence capability.

The role operates as the design authority for platform architecture, ensuring solutions are secure by design, resilient, and aligned to programme objectives, defence standards and delivery constraints. This is a senior, hands-on role working across engineering, cyber security and programme leadership teams within a classified environment.

• Act as the design authority for platform architecture across the programme

• Define and maintain target and transition architectures for secure platforms

• Lead architectural design activities across infrastructure, platform and integration layers

• Ensure platforms are secure by design and aligned to programme risk appetite

• Provide architectural oversight across design reviews, assurance gates and delivery phases

• Collaborate closely with engineering, cyber security and assurance teams

• Support architectural decision-making across legacy, prototype and evolving platforms

• Produce clear architectural artefacts, standards and design documentation

• Manage architectural risks, trade-offs and technical debt in complex environments

• Proven experience operating as a Lead or Principal Platform Architect on complex programmes

• Strong background designing secure, resilient platforms in regulated or restricted environments

• Experience working across infrastructure, platform services and system integration

• Ability to operate as a design authority while remaining technically hands-on

• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, including working with senior technical and programme leaders

• Experience balancing architectural purity with real-world delivery constraints

• SC clearance required (minimum)

• Highly secure defence programme with classified and restricted systems

• Hybrid working: Reading site, 2-3 days per week on site (fully expensable)

• Contract role, inside IR35, £650 - £750 p/d