Job Description

Solution Architect - Cloud and Infrastructure

Location: Bristol – hybrid, 2–3 days onsite per week

Contract: 6 months

Rate: Up to £750 per day, outside IR35

Security Clearance: SC minimum

We are seeking an experienced Solution Architect to support a major defence programme, designing secure infrastructure and hybrid cloud solutions across complex, mission-critical environments.

The role will involve defining end-to-end technical architectures spanning data centres, Microsoft Azure, Azure Local, Azure Arc and VMware, while providing architecture governance, technical assurance and strategic direction across multiple workstreams.

Key responsibilities

* Lead the design of secure, scalable and resilient hybrid cloud and infrastructure solutions.

* Produce solution designs, architecture artefacts, technical roadmaps and standards.

* Translate business and technical requirements into integrated cloud and infrastructure architectures.

* Provide architecture governance, technical assurance and stakeholder leadership.

* Ensure solutions meet security, compliance, operational and performance requirements.

* Present architectural options and recommendations to senior technical and programme stakeholders.

Essential experience

* Strong Solution Architecture experience within complex enterprise environments.

* Deep knowledge of Microsoft Azure, including landing zones, networking, security services, identity and access management and Infrastructure as Code.

* Experience designing hybrid cloud solutions using Azure Local and Azure Arc.

* Strong VMware experience, including vSphere, NSX, vSAN and virtual data centre architecture.

* Experience delivering data centre modernisation, cloud migration and disaster recovery solutions.

* Strong stakeholder management and technical leadership skills.

* Experience within defence, aerospace, government or another highly regulated environment.

* Appropriate security clearance or eligibility to obtain it