Senior Solutions Architect

Overview

NRS is continuing an exciting digital transformation, embracing modern technologies such as Microsoft Azure, M365, the Power Platform and a wide range of SaaS solutions to evolve how the organisation works. As the digital landscape grows, so does the need for a strong and scalable solution architecture that supports smarter, more efficient ways of working across the business. As a Senior Solution Architect, you’ll play a central role in shaping this journey, guiding the design of future‑ready solutions that enable teams to maximise the value of modern technology. The role calls for someone who can blend strategic thinking with deep technical expertise, communicating complex architectural decisions clearly to stakeholders, senior leaders and the Cyber Security & Information Assurance (CS&IA) team. It’s an opportunity to influence major technology choices and help drive meaningful, organisation‑wide change.

Responsibilities

• Shape and develop solution designs that fit within the wider Solution Architecture landscape, ensuring they are delivered through NRS IT programmes and projects.
• Create high‑level solution architectures for medium‑to‑high‑complexity initiatives.
• Produce solution option analyses and impact assessments.
• Define architecture principles and standards that guide design and implementation of IT solutions.
• Work with Cyber Security & Information Assurance stakeholders to scope IT Health Checks and Authority to Operate requirements, ensuring solutions are secure, compliant and aligned with organisational expectations.
• Oversee solution implementation, whether delivered by vendors, partners or internal teams, ensuring architecture standards are consistently applied.
• Produce clear and comprehensive architecture documentation to support commercial and procurement activities with technical leadership.
• Contribute to wider NDA group efforts to develop shared solution architecture patterns and standards across operating companies.

Qualifications and Experience

• Strong, hands‑on experience designing complex solutions on Microsoft Azure, covering compute, storage, network services, directory services such as Entra ID, database technologies, data lake architecture and security services.
• Practical experience designing and managing Microsoft services in large organisations of 2,000+ employees, such as Intune, Purview or Defender, with a proven track record of producing solution designs, developing options and overseeing their implementation.
• Experience participating in procurement exercises and vendor or supplier engagement (ideally within the public sector).
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification, plus at least one additional qualification such as Azure Data Fundamentals, Azure Security Fundamentals or Azure AI Fundamentals.
• Project management training or certification is essential.
• Strong leadership and business skills combined with deep, comprehensive technical expertise.
• Advantageous: experience designing or managing Microsoft Power Platform services and M365, with relevant Microsoft certifications in either area.
• Additional security‑focused qualifications such as CompTIA Security+, CompTIA CySA, SABSA or NIST are desirable, as well as vendor‑specific training or certifications (e.g., Cisco, Databricks, MuleSoft or Oracle).
• Hybrid role; candidate must live within a commutable distance of one of the NRS sites.

Benefits and Additional Information

• Some reasons we think you’ll love it here.
• To learn more about NRS and the work we do, visit Nuclear Restoration Services – GOV.UK. It’s a great way to discover our mission, our people, and the impact we deliver.
• Please note: All successful candidates will need to provide proof of identity, eligibility to work in the UK and employment/education history (typically covering the last 3–5 years) in line with NRS Baseline Security requirements. Some roles may also require full Security Clearance, which involves additional checks. For details, please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) guidance.
• At NRS, we value diversity and inclusion and encourage applications from underrepresented groups. We will provide reasonable adjustments where necessary and requested during the application process. If you require any reasonable adjustments, please let us know.
• We offer flexibility on base location for multi-site roles and are happy to discuss flexible working options.
• Please note that this vacancy may close earlier than the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible.

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