AWS Cloud Lead/Architect(SC Cleared)

We have one open position of AWS Cloud Lead/Architect with one of our client based at London/Reading, UK. This is a Contract position with our client. Below is the job description for your reference. Please share your application once you are interested.

Role: AWS Cloud Lead/Architect(SC Cleared)

Location: London/Reading, UK

Mode: Contract

Job Description:

The Lead Cloud Architect is the technical authority and design owner for cloud migration and modernisation programme. They are accountable for defining the end-to-end cloud strategy, shaping the Landing Zone architecture, and overseeing all technical designs and implementation across AWS infrastructure, security, identity, networking, migration planning, and EUC (Amazon WorkSpaces/Citrix modernisation).

This role ensures that all architectural decisions are aligned to the functional, non-functional, financial, and security requirements, including resilience, Conditional Access, CIS/NCSC compliance, and cost efficiency. The Lead Architect provides technical governance across all phases: Discovery, Strategy & Design, Landing Zone Build, Amazon WorkSpaces deployment, Pilot & Full Migration, and BAU transition.

Key Responsibilities

1. Architectural Leadership & Technical Governance

• Act as the overall technical design authority, ensuring cohesion across all workstreams.
• Lead workshops with SMEs to validate requirements.
• Own and maintain the Cloud Architecture Blueprint.
• Conduct architecture assurance across offshore and onshore teams.
• Chair and drive the Technical Design Authority (TDA) process.

2. Discovery, Assessment & Cloud Strategy

• Lead and validate discovery findings.
• Develop Target Architecture and Migration Roadmap.
• Produce cloud adoption strategy aligned to public-sector frameworks.

3. Landing Zone Design & Governance Controls

• Design secure multi-account AWS Landing Zone.
• Define SCP guardrails, IAM role model, logging, monitoring, KMS strategy.
• Ensure compliance with CIS, NCSC, Cyber Essentials.
• Oversee network segmentation, VPC connectivity, and DR patterns.

4. EUC & Amazon WorkSpaces/Citrix Modernisation Design

• Lead architecture for virtual desktop estate.
• Oversee FSLogix, conditional access, MFA, RBAC.
• Provide technical assurance during UAT and rollout.

5. Migration Planning & Execution Governance

• Own migration architecture, runbooks, and cutover plans.
• Select pilot workloads and define success criteria.
• Oversee AWS MGN/CloudEndure migrations.
• Provide technical escalation during cutovers.

6. Security, Identity & Compliance Assurance

• Ensure encryption, MFA, identity federation, patching, and threat detection.
• Embed compliance into solution design.
• Oversee security engineer deliverables.

7. Operational Readiness, Hypercare & BAU Transition

• Define operational model, dashboards, alerting rules.
• Lead defect triage and tuning during hypercare.
• Shape steady-state governance and FinOps optimisation.

Key Deliverables

• Cloud Adoption Strategy
• Target Architecture (HLD/LLD)
• Landing Zone Architecture Pack
• Detailed Implementation Plan
• EUC/WorkSpaces/Citrix design
• Migration Strategy & Runbooks
• Security & Compliance Architecture
• Operational Readiness & Handover Packs

Required Skills & Experience

• 10+ years cloud architecture; 5+ years AWS in regulated sectors.
• Deep knowledge of: AWS Organisations, Control Tower, IAM, VPC, WorkSpaces, AppStream, FSLogix, AWS MGN, Terraform/CloudFormation, KMS, GuardDuty, CloudTrail, Entra ID.
• Strong stakeholder communication.
• Experience defining governance, stage-gate assurance.

Soft Skills

• Strong communicator
• Structured thinker
• Risk-focused
• Delivery-oriented

Preferred Certifications

• AWS Solutions Architect - Professional
• AWS Security Specialty
• AWS Networking Specialty
• ITIL

Recruiter Email: nitinsharma@thriveitsystems.com