Location: Reading (mostly onsite)
Duration: 4 month initial contract
Inside IR35
Role details:
Our client, a leading defence and aerospace company, are looking for an Enterprise Architect to join their team in Reading. This is an excellent opportunity to lead enterprise architecture initiatives within a high-profile environment. The role requires active SC Clearance and hands-on experience with TOGAF frameworks. The contract duration is 4-5 months and requires mostly onsite work in Reading.
Key Responsibilities:
As a Lead Enterprise Architect, you will:
- Lead the development and governance of enterprise architecture across multiple programmes and domains
- Define and evolve architecture principles, standards, and frameworks aligned with business strategy and technology roadmaps
- Shape and lead the enterprise architecture strategy for the Line of Business (LoB), contributing to divisional and corporate planning
- Provide authoritative technical leadership across infrastructure, cloud, data, applications, and security domains
- Chair Product Design Reviews across the Engineering Unit and LoB, ensuring alignment with strategic goals
- Lead original research, capability development, and technology insertion to enhance architectural maturity
- Represent the company at senior customer boards, government forums, and industry conferences
- Mentor and coach architects across the organisation, fostering a high-performing architecture community
- Drive reuse, innovation, and best practice across programmes and engineering functions
Job Requirements:
Essential requirements:
- Active SC Clearance - required to work on-site and support sensitive MOD/aerospace programmes
- Relevant experience in Defence aerospace programs within the MoD with security by design (SbD) expertise.
- Architectural Generalist - able to work across business, data, application, cloud, technology, and security domains
- Enterprise Architecture Modelling Expertise - hands-on experience developing EA models (e.g., ArchiMate, MODAF, TOGAF, NAF) as we transition from paper-based artefacts to dynamic, model-driven architectural repositories
- Strong understanding of cyber security principles, secure system design, and regulatory compliance.
- Experience chairing design reviews and providing technical assurance across engineering units.
- Ability to lead innovation and capability development across engineering and business functions.
- Proven mentoring and coaching experience, supporting the growth of architectural capability.
Desirable Skills:
- Chartered Engineer or equivalent professional recognition
- Industry certifications (e.g. TOGAF, AWS/Azure Architect, CISSP, ArchiMate)
- Experience contributing to national or international architecture standards or professional bodies
- Published research or thought leadership in enterprise architecture or related fields
- Experience working transnationally and representing organisational interests in regulatory or strategic forums
- Familiarity with SFIA Level 7 competencies (e.g. Strategy & Architecture, Governance, Innovation) and DDaT Enterprise Architect role expectations
Interested? Apply today via the link provided.
