Principal Security Architecture Consultant

Salary: £85,000 - 85,000 per year

Requirements:

• We are looking for an experienced security architect with proven leadership in complex, high-impact programmes.
• We need strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills at senior levels, including CIOs, CISOs, and Programme Directors.
• We require the ability to translate complex technical and security concepts into clear business outcomes.
• We expect experience leading secure designs within bids and writing technical responses.
• We value strong leadership and mentoring capability, with a passion for developing others.
• We prefer experience in UK MOD, defence, or national security environments.
• We value familiarity with secure systems accreditation and regulatory frameworks.
• We prefer experience with high-assurance or classified systems.
• We welcome exposure to digital transformation, cloud migration, or enterprise modernisation.
• We highly desirable practical experience with certifications such as CISSP, CCSP, SABSA, the UK Cyber Security Council Secure System Architecture & Design Specialism, and TOGAF or equivalent enterprise architecture frameworks.
• This role is subject to pre-employment screening under BPSS, with possible NSV requirements including SC or DV eligibility.

Responsibilities:

• We act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders and shape customer security strategy, roadmaps, and architectural direction.
• We use customer requirements to support business winning activity and bid writing.
• We lead workshops, risk discussions, and design reviews with authority and confidence.
• We define and assure enterprise, solution, and system-level security architectures.
• We apply and tailor security frameworks such as NIST, ISO 27001, SABSA, and Zero Trust principles.
• We ensure systems are secure by design, proportionate, and aligned to mission objectives.
• We lead threat modelling, risk identification, and mitigation strategies across programmes.
• We provide authoritative guidance on risk trade-offs and security posture.
• We oversee security assurance, accreditation, and compliance activities, including MOD and NCSC-related work.
• We ensure architectural traceability from requirements through to controls and implementation.
• We mentor, coach, and upskill security architects and consultants.
• We define and evolve architectural standards, patterns, and reusable artefacts.
• We lead internal capability development, including training and knowledge sharing.
• We support recruitment and talent development within the team.

Technologies:

• Architect
• Cloud
• Support
• Security
• TOGAF

More:

We are Leonardo UK, a global leader in Aerospace, Defence, and Security, headquartered in Italy with over 53,000 people worldwide and 8,500 across 9 UK sites. We offer a permanent hybrid role based in Bristol, Coldharbour Lane, within our Cyber & Security Solutions Division. We provide a comprehensive, company-funded benefits package that includes generous leave with up to 12 additional flexi-days, an award-winning pension scheme with up to 15% employer contribution, free mental health support, financial advice, employee networks, a bonus scheme, free access to thousands of online courses, referral rewards, flexible benefits up to £500 annually, and flexible hours with hybrid working options. We are committed to an inclusive, accessible, and welcoming workplace where diverse perspectives help drive innovation and better outcomes.

last updated 31 week of 2026