Technical Architect at Cloud Decisions, Reading, £650 per day

Technical Architect - Azure & SAP

Contract | Reading/Hybrid
Defence Sector | Outside IR35
Location: Reading, Berkshire
Working Pattern: Hybrid - 3 days per week onsite in Reading
Day Rate: Up to £650 per day
IR35 Status: Outside IR35
Clearance: Active SC Clearance required before start
Nationality Requirement: Due to the nature of the programme, candidates must be sole UK nationals with no dual nationality.

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced Technical Architect to join a leading IT Services Provider delivering a major digital transformation programme within the UK defence sector.

Working as part of a wider architecture and engineering team, you will be responsible for designing and assuring secure, scalable technical solutions across Azure and SAP environments. You'll work closely with solution architects, engineering teams, technical leads and delivery partners to ensure solutions are technically robust, secure and aligned with programme standards.

This is an excellent opportunity to work on a long-term defence programme supporting the delivery of modern cloud infrastructure, enterprise applications and integration services within a highly secure environment.

Key Responsibilities

As Technical Architect, you will:

• Produce high-quality technical designs and architecture documentation.

• Design Azure-based infrastructure and cloud solutions supporting enterprise applications.

• Support architecture across SAP programme environments, ensuring integration with Microsoft technologies.

• Work closely with engineering teams to ensure solutions are implemented in line with architectural designs.

• Review technical designs produced by delivery partners and provide technical assurance.

• Ensure solutions align with security, governance and operational standards.

• Support design authority and architecture governance activities where required.

• Work alongside Solution Architects to translate business requirements into technical designs.

• Identify technical risks, dependencies and constraints, providing practical recommendations.

• Contribute to infrastructure, networking, identity and integration design decisions.

• Ensure solutions are scalable, resilient, secure and supportable.

• Collaborate with technical stakeholders across multiple workstreams and suppliers.

Required Experience

We're looking for someone who has worked as a:

• Technical Architect

• Infrastructure Architect

• Cloud Architect

• Azure Architect

• Senior Infrastructure Engineer progressing into Architecture

You'll ideally have experience with:

• Microsoft Azure architecture and cloud services.

• SAP environments, ideally SAP S/4HANA.

• Designing hybrid cloud and enterprise infrastructure solutions.

• Microsoft identity technologies including Entra ID (Azure AD).

• Networking, security and integration within Azure.

• Working within large-scale transformation programmes.

• Producing technical architecture documentation and low/high-level designs.

• Supporting technical governance and design reviews.

• Working alongside engineering teams through implementation.

• Operating within secure or highly regulated environments.

Experience within defence, aerospace, government or other regulated sectors would be highly advantageous.

Technical Skills

Experience in several of the following is desirable:

• Microsoft Azure

• SAP S/4HANA

• Azure Landing Zones

• Hybrid Cloud Architecture

• Microsoft Entra ID

• Networking and Connectivity

• Infrastructure Architecture

• Cloud Security

• Identity & Access Management

• Integration Architecture

• API Integration

• Azure Virtual Networking

• Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity

• Technical Design Documentation (HLDs & LLDs)

• Architecture Governance

• Technical Assurance

• Infrastructure Modernisation

Desirable Certifications

One or more of the following would be beneficial:

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305)

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator (AZ-104)

• Microsoft Certified: Azure Security Engineer (AZ-500)

Equivalent Azure architecture experience will also be considered.

Clearance

Active SC Clearance is required before starting.

Due to programme security requirements, applicants must be sole UK nationals with no dual nationality.

Working Pattern

• Hybrid working

• Approximately 3 days per week onsite in Reading

• Remaining days remote

The Opportunity

This is an opportunity to join a major defence programme delivering modern cloud and enterprise technology solutions within a secure environment.

You'll work alongside experienced architects, engineers and delivery teams, helping design and deliver Azure and SAP solutions that are secure, scalable and fit for long-term operational use.

If you enjoy hands-on technical architecture, working closely with engineering teams, and delivering complex cloud solutions within secure enterprise environments, we'd love to hear from you.