Senior Technical Architect

Location: Bristol (Hybrid Working Available)
Start Date: ASAP
Duration: 7 months +
Rate: £95 - £105 per hour - Inside IR35

Shape the Future of Secure, Mission-Critical Systems

Are you ready to lead technical design for complex, high-impact programmes? We’re seeking a Senior Technical Architect to provide strategic technical leadership across critical systems and services. This is an opportunity to influence roadmaps, drive innovation, and ensure solutions are secure, resilient, and future-ready.

Working in a collaborative, agile environment, you’ll take ownership of architectural direction while mentoring others and engaging senior stakeholders. A hybrid working model is available, combining on-site collaboration in Bristol with remote flexibility.

The Role

As a Senior Technical Architect, you will:

• Act as the technical authority for systems and services.
• Define and evolve architectures aligned to customer needs, architectural principles, and secure-by-design standards.
• Contribute to technology and business roadmaps, identifying opportunities for innovation and improvement.
• Lead technical reviews, trade-off analyses, and risk assessments for major design decisions.
• Mentor and coach architects and engineers, raising capability across the technical community.
• Represent the organisation at senior customer forums, technical boards, and industry events.
• Support business development activities, including technical bids and proposal input.
• Champion best practice, reuse, and model-based design approaches.

What You’ll Bring

Essential Experience & Skills:

• Proven expertise in system and service architecture (infrastructure, applications, data, networking, cloud).
• Knowledge of architecture frameworks such as TOGAF, MODAF, or NAF.
• Strong knowledge of 3GPP technical standards.
• Advanced understanding of secure system design and cyber security standards.
• Experience shaping architecture within Agile or SAFe delivery environments.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• Ability to mentor, coach, and provide thought leadership.

Technical Skills

Must Have:

• 3GPP Specifications
• Amazon AWS Cloud Practitioner (certification or equivalent experience)

Nice To Have:

• ArchiMate
• AWS Solutions Architect
• Certified TOGAF Enterprise Architect
• DevOps/DevSecOps
• ESN/TETRA
• Mission Critical Communications

Desirable Experience

• Industry certifications (eg, TOGAF, ArchiMate).
• Vendor certifications (eg, AWS).
• Knowledge of emergency services communications environments.
• Experience with mission-critical communications software.
• Exposure to cloud-native, DevSecOps, and automation approaches.
• Experience contributing to enterprise technology strategy and international programmes.
• Background in service design, digital transformation, or operational modernisation.
• Experience presenting at senior technical boards or conferences.

Security Clearance

This role is subject to UK pre-employment screening in line with BPSS standards. Eligibility for Security Check (SC) or Developed Vetting (DV) may be required.