Actica Consulting
Senior / Principal Data & Solution Architect (Defence)
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Senior / Principal Data & Solution Architect (Defence)
Department: Consultancy
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: United Kingdom / Hybrid
Description
Are you passionate about using data and technology to solve complex challenges and deliver meaningful outcomes?
Shape how Defence uses data and technology to tackle complex challenges. Join us to develop practical architecture that supports critical capabilities, better decisions, and successful delivery across data, information, and solution architecture.
We have opportunities at both Senior and Principal level, and all roles are hands-on. Principal-level candidates will also bring broader experience of leading complex work, influencing senior stakeholders, and guiding others. You do not need to choose a level before applying; we will assess this with you during the recruitment process.
We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. We welcome different backgrounds, experiences, and ways of thinking, and encourage you to apply even if you do not meet every desirable criterion.
Key Responsibilities
Your responsibilities may include:
- Work collaboratively with military and civil service clients to understand their needs and translate them into practical architecture outcomes.
- Develop current and target architectures across relevant data, information, solution, and technology domains.
- Produce clear architecture products, which may include principles, policies, standards, guidance, patterns, designs, roadmaps, and option assessments.
- Research unfamiliar or emerging topics and apply recognised good practice to the Defence context.
- Help clients govern, secure, share, integrate, and exploit data and information across organisational and system boundaries.
- Lead architecture activities and provide advice and assurance through relevant stages of discovery, design, acquisition, and delivery.
- Facilitate workshops, support governance, and build agreement across operational, technical, and senior stakeholder groups.
Depending on your experience and level of appointment, you may also:
- Lead larger, more complex, or less well-defined assignments while remaining actively involved in delivery.
- Influence senior stakeholders, resolve competing priorities, and guide architecture through governance and approval.
- Guide and assure other practitioners, and contribute to our architecture capability through mentoring, knowledge sharing, recruitment, or business development.
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Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
Essential
We recognise that individuals develop expertise through different experiences and career journeys. You do not need to meet every criterion: we are looking for sound architecture judgement, Defence credibility, and the ability to deliver useful outcomes in complex environments.
- Experience in data, information, solution, or enterprise architecture, or a closely related role.
- Experience producing clear, decision-useful architecture artefacts such as principles, policies, standards, guidance, target architectures, solution designs, roadmaps, or assessments.
- Experience working with Defence, government, or comparable secure and regulated organisations, including engagement with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Understanding of architecture governance, assurance, security, and delivery considerations in complex programmes.
- Experience developing practical architectures and clear, decision-useful products or recommendations.
- Ability to work collaboratively and adapt where priorities, requirements, or governance arrangements are evolving.
- Experience working securely with sensitive information, including classified, commercially sensitive, or personal data, and applying appropriate handling requirements.
For appointment at Principal level
Principal candidates should additionally demonstrate:
- Experience leading complex or ambiguous architecture assignments with a high degree of autonomy.
- A track record of shaping direction and influencing senior client or delivery stakeholders.
- Experience guiding or assuring others and balancing strategic intent with practical delivery constraints.
Desirable
- Knowledge of relevant architecture frameworks, notations, and modelling tools, such as TOGAF, MODAF, ArchiMate, or BizzDesign.
- Experience in data strategy, governance, modelling, metadata, standards, or recognised data management good practice such as DAMA-DMBOK.
- Knowledge of cloud, hybrid, and on-premise environments, systems integration, and modern data-sharing approaches.
- Experience with systems integration and modern data-sharing approaches, including APIs or event-driven architectures.
- Awareness of Secure by Design, DevSecOps, and architecture assurance in secure or regulated environments.
- Experience working in Agile or iterative, multidisciplinary delivery environments.
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Personal Attributes
Successful candidates are likely to demonstrate:
- A collaborative, inclusive, and client-focused approach.
- The ability to build trust and influence colleagues, clients, and stakeholders.
- Curiosity, critical thinking, and the ability to learn unfamiliar domains quickly.
- A practical, adaptable, and outcome-focused approach to problem solving.
We welcome different backgrounds, experiences, and ways of thinking. Please apply even if you do not meet every desirable criterion. We will consider the overall strength and potential of your experience when determining the appropriate appointment level.
Security Requirements
Due to the nature of our work, candidates must be eligible and willing to obtain UK Security Clearance (SC) as a minimum. Higher levels of clearance may be required for some assignments. Find out more information about the Security Clearance (SC) process and requirements here.
Working Arrangements
We operate a hybrid working model, combining client-site, office, and home-based working.
Assignments are delivered across the Defence sector and may require regular engagement at military establishments, Defence organisations, and other government sites. The location and level of on-site attendance will depend on the assignment.
Why Join Us?
You will work alongside experienced consultants, architects, and subject matter experts on some of the most challenging and rewarding data and technology programmes in Defence.
These roles offer the opportunity to influence important decisions, shape practical architecture, and help clients improve how they use data, information, and technology. You will be part of a collaborative environment that values expertise, integrity, innovation, and continuous development, with opportunities to broaden your experience and progress across Senior and Principal levels while making a tangible impact.
Benefits
- 25 days of paid leave per annum plus 8 UK bank holidays
- Participation in a discretionary bonus scheme
- Participation in our stakeholder pension scheme
- Participation in the cycle to work scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Electric Car leasing Scheme
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