Lead Technical Architect

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.
• Active SC clearance is essential and must be current at the point of application.

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.
• 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.