Technical Architect – SC Cleared

Technical Architect – SC Cleared

Whitehall Resources are currently looking for a Technical Architect – SC Cleared.

This role will be Inside of IR35, so you will be required to use an FCSA Accredited Umbrella Company.

Must not have been outside of the UK for more than 6 months in the last 5 years.

Key Requirements

• Technically Lead the architectural modernisation of a largescale, established data platform (DWX).
• This role requires experience of brownfield environments, strong hands-on technical capability, and the ability to reshape existing architectures to align with Data & Analytic (D&A) standards while maintaining uninterrupted service.
• You will be responsible for impact assessment due to rearchitecting the source system, design data flows, design and implement infrastructure changes to align Client standards, managing large-scale schema evolution, enabling cross-cloud connectivity, and providing senior guidance to technical teams and stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyse and reshape the existing AWS EMR based DWX architecture to support new microservices architecture at source system and evolving schema definitions (300+ schemas).
• Design approaches for merging 3-5 years of historical data in DWX with newly structured data while maintaining consistent user journeys.
• Identify and define implementation approaches that minimise disruption to live services.
• Define new and/or modify ingestion, transformation, and storage patterns to implement the changes due to microservice-based rearchitected source system.
• Ensure downstream services maintain data quality, lineage, and continuity during schema transitions.
• Design data migration strategies and transient approaches supporting phased, low-risk rollouts.
• Architect the transition from Universal Credit (UC) specific MacBooks (bespoke laptop)/VPC access to standard devices using Zscaler.
• Define the infrastructure and security requirements for safe and compliant connectivity between AWS-hosted services and Azure-hosted environments (e.g., SaSViya).
• Ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and controlled movement of sensitive data across cloud boundaries.
• Assess existing technology choices (e.g., Kotlin) and define Python migration paths aligned to approved standards.
• Produce clear technical options, roadmap recommendations, and architectural decision records.
• Advocate for simplification, reduction of technical debt, and alignment to Digital Blueprint and Enterprise Architecture.
• Act as the senior architectural authority across DWX and related services.
• Communicate complex technical concepts in a clear, structured, audience-appropriate manner.
• Collaborate closely with domain architects, engineers, and suppliers.
• Provide architectural assurance and technical governance across delivery teams.

Key Experience

• Proven experience as a senior technical architect in complex brownfield environments.
• Strong data platform architecture experience using AWS EMR: ingestion patterns, schema evolution, ETL/ELT, microservices data integration.
• Multi-cloud integration expertise (Azure + AWS) including secure data transfer patterns.
• Deep understanding of government, public sector, or regulated environments.
• Strong experience of technical authority, security governance and SRE handover.
• Experience maintaining critical services while modernising underlying platforms.
• Strong infrastructure, security, and network architecture capability (Zscaler, VPC patterns, VPN, identity).
• Ability to navigate and implement organisational standards (DWP, D&A or similar).
• Hands-on experience re-architecting or migrating technology stacks to standardised platforms.
• Exceptional communication & leadership: able to drive clarity and decision-making in ambiguous contexts.
• Strong experience of technical documentation on Confluence/SharePoint.

Desirable Skills

• Experience with event-driven architectures and microservice-based data contracts.
• Knowledge of Kotlin and migration pathways to standard languages (Java, Python, etc.).
• Relevant AWS certifications.
• DWX architectural redesign provides a clear, low-risk path to support UC’s microservice-based schema model.
• Cross-cloud connectivity and infrastructure changes are defined, approved, and adopted.
• Migration away from nonstandard technologies is recommended with clear options and impact analysis.
• Continuous service delivery is maintained while modernisation progresses.
• Stakeholders gain confidence that architecture decisions are correct, consistent, and strategic.

All of our opportunities require that applicants are eligible to work in the specified country/location, unless otherwise stated in the job description.

Whitehall Resources are an equal opportunities employer who value a diverse and inclusive working environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, pregnancy, disability, age, veteran status, or other characteristics.