Lead Technical Architect
Working Hours: Full-time
Job Type: Contract – Inside IR35
Contract Length: Until 30 April 2027
Daily Rate: Competitive
Location: Remote
Security Clearance: Active SC required
About the Role
Our client is looking for an experienced Lead Technical Architect to provide technical leadership across complex cloud environments, with a strong focus on multi-cloud architecture, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), security and AI-driven innovation.
You will be responsible for defining architectural strategies, designing secure and scalable solutions, and identifying opportunities to introduce AI technologies that deliver measurable improvements.
This is a senior, hands-on position requiring someone who can identify AI opportunities and take them through to practical implementation, rather than focusing solely on high-level architectural strategy.
You will work closely with senior stakeholders, engineering teams and other architects to ensure technical solutions align with business objectives, security requirements and wider technology strategies.
Responsibilities
Lead the architecture and design of complex, large-scale cloud solutions across multiple platforms.
Define and implement multi-cloud architecture strategies, ensuring security, scalability and resilience.
Design, configure and optimise infrastructure within Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
Implement and manage VPC Service Controls to strengthen cloud security and data protection.
Identify opportunities to introduce AI and automation across existing services and business processes.
Translate AI opportunities into practical technical solutions and oversee their implementation.
Provide technical leadership and architectural guidance across multiple projects and services.
Establish and maintain architecture standards, design patterns, policies and technical roadmaps.
Review and assure technical designs to ensure alignment with security, governance and organisational requirements.
Identify architectural risks, dependencies and opportunities for improvement.
Collaborate with senior technical and business stakeholders to influence strategic decisions.
Explain complex technical concepts, risks and recommendations to non-technical audiences.
Support wider architecture governance and provide guidance to technical architects and engineering teams.
Essential Experience & Technical Skills
Proven experience as a Lead Technical Architect, Cloud Architect or Principal Architect within complex enterprise environments.
Strong track record of designing and delivering multi-cloud architecture solutions.
Extensive hands-on experience with Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
Demonstrable expertise configuring and managing GCP VPC Service Controls.
Strong understanding of cloud security architecture, governance and risk management.
Experience identifying, designing and implementing AI-driven solutions or automation opportunities.
Ability to translate business challenges into practical technical solutions.
Experience providing technical leadership across complex or high-risk projects.
Strong knowledge of architecture principles, design patterns, technical standards and strategic roadmaps.
Experience reviewing and assuring architectural designs across multiple services.
Strong stakeholder management skills, including influencing senior technical and business leaders.
Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to non-technical audiences.
Experience making architectural decisions while managing technical risk and complexity.
Active SC clearance is essential and must be current at the point of application.
Desirable Experience
Experience delivering cloud architecture within UK Government, public sector or highly regulated environments.
Knowledge of additional cloud platforms such as AWS or Microsoft Azure.
Experience implementing enterprise AI solutions within secure cloud environments.
Familiarity with AI governance, data security and responsible AI implementation.
Experience supporting cloud transformation and modernisation programmes.
Knowledge of cloud networking, identity and access management, and data protection.
Experience contributing to enterprise architecture governance and technical assurance.
Experience mentoring architects and influencing technical strategy across multiple teams.