QinetiQ
Principal Senior Technical Architect
Job Description
Salary: £43,000 - 83,000 per year
Requirements:- Significant experience working in or alongside National Security, Intelligence, Defence, or advanced Cyber missions
- Demonstrable ability to lead capability development integrating people, process, and technology
- Expertise in systems integration, operational workflow design, and organisation/process transformation
- Strong background in leading multi-disciplinary teams in complex, sensitive environments
- Experience in major capability transformation programmes in Defence, Intelligence, or Government
- Familiarity with national security processes, governance frameworks, and high-assurance operations
- Willingness to learn, with no fixed background or education requirement provided you can show the required level of experience
- Willingness to go through DV Clearance
- Shape, develop, and integrate mission-critical capabilities for Cyber and National Security customers
- Act as a trusted advisor, driving innovation, orchestrating complex delivery, and building high performing teams
- Identify, shape, and qualify new business opportunities within National Security and Defence organisations
- Lead early customer engagements and develop strategies aligned with long-term sector growth
- Provide technical direction for bids and business development activities
- Ensure proposed solutions are feasible, innovative, compliant, and mission-aligned
- Work closely with engineering, data, cyber, AI/ML, and systems integration teams to shape end-to-end solutions
- Translate complex mission needs into robust technical architecture, capability concepts, and delivery approaches
- Technically lead major bids from capture through proposal submission and contract negotiation
- Lead the design and evolution of end-to-end capabilities combining people, processes, systems, and technology
- Provide leadership across all areas and shape and oversee the delivery of complex capability programmes
- AI
- Architect
- Security
- Support
More:
We are QinetiQ, and we are creating the future through cutting-edge defence technology and ground-breaking innovation to empower and protect lives. This Principal Senior Technical Architect – National Security role is based at either our Farnborough or Malvern site, with hybrid working available and frequent customer travel required. At Farnborough, we work from a state-of-the-art facility featuring high-energy laser technologies, a unique 5m pressurised wind tunnel simulation capability, and major research and development projects. We offer a competitive salary and benefits package, including a matched contribution pension scheme with life assurance, generous holiday allowance with the option to purchase extra days, health cash plan, private medical insurance, dental insurance, an employee discount portal, volunteering opportunities, and a diverse and inclusive workplace culture where collaboration and different perspectives are valued.
last updated 36 week of 2026
Interested in this role?
Submit your application now
How to Apply
About QinetiQ
QinetiQ
Orpington
IT
Skills & Technologies
Inferred from job description
Salary Insight
£63,000
This role
£75,000
UK median
This salary is 16% below the UK median for Senior roles (£75,000/yr).
Based on 2024–2025 UK technology sector benchmarks