Security Architect (Defence)

Are you an experienced Cyber Engineer ready to take the next step in your career - or feeling stuck on a stagnant project?

If you're looking to join an exciting, fast-growing consultancy where your work is varied, your voice is heard, and your contribution truly matters - keep reading.

Location: UK-wide (Hybrid working)

Employment Type: Full-time, Mid-Senior level

Clearance Required: Active SC Clearance (must currently hold)

About the Opportunity

Sanderson is working in partnership with a fast-scaling cyber security consultancy that’s making a real impact across both the public and private sectors. Known for their deep technical expertise and delivery excellence, they support some of the UK’s most complex and security-sensitive programmes.

Following a series of major public sector project wins, this organisation is on a steep growth trajectory, expanding their consulting and engineering teams significantly over the next 12 months. As a Security Architect, you’ll play a leading role in shaping secure systems architecture for national programmes - bringing both technical depth and strategic vision.

This is a rare opportunity to join a dynamic, growing consultancy where your voice is heard, your expertise is valued, and your work directly influences real-world security outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Design secure architectures across enterprise, cloud, and hybrid platforms
• Provide expert guidance on risk, security controls, and assurance in high-threat environments
• Develop documentation including high-level designs, risk assessments, and assurance frameworks
• Support technical teams through delivery, embedding security into engineering and delivery lifecycles
• Influence strategic security posture across large-scale transformation programmes

Essential Skills & Experience

• Active SC Clearance is essential – candidates without current clearance cannot be considered
• Defence experience needed - at least 2 years recent defence experience working with MOD or Civil Service
• Strong knowledge of UK government security standards (e.g. NCSC guidance, ISO27001, JSP 440)
• Proven experience designing and implementing secure systems in enterprise or government settings
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS/Azure), identity management, secure networking, encryption, and SIEM
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, able to advise both technical and business teams

Desirable Experience

• Background in central government, defence, or critical national infrastructure
• Knowledge of architectural frameworks such as TOGAF or SABSA
• Certifications such as CISSP, CISM, CCSP, or equivalent
• Understanding of Zero Trust, secure DevOps practices, or automation in security engineering

Why Join This Consultancy?

• Work on high-impact, nationally significant programmes
• Join a consultancy that’s scaling fast, with real opportunities for progression and leadership
• Engage in a wide variety of projects across both public and private sectors
• Benefit from flexible, hybrid working (UK-wide with occasional travel)
• Be part of a collaborative, expert-led team that values innovation, autonomy, and integrity
• Competitive salary, benefits, and ongoing investment in your learning and development

Apply now via Sanderson to become a key player in a growing cyber consultancy working at the heart of the UK’s most secure programmes.

Sanderson works exclusively in partnership with this client; all applications are handled in strict confidence.