Principal Senior Technical Architect - National Security

Package: Competitive Salary + Benefits Package

Role ID: SF19725

Are you ready to be part of the future? At QinetiQ, we’re not just imagining tomorrow we are creating it. From cutting edge defence technology to ground breaking innovations our mission is to empower and protect lives. Join us as a Principal Senior Technical Architect – National Security at either our Farnborough or Malvern site, where you will have the opportunity to work with cutting-edge technology in partnership with some of the most brilliant minds.

The Role

As a Principal Senior Technical Architect – National Security, you will be a senior technical leader responsible for shaping, developing, and integrating mission-critical capabilities for Cyber and National Security customers. This role focuses on customer intimacy, operational problem solving, and end to end capability development.

Day-to-day, you will act as a trusted advisor, driving innovation, orchestrating complex delivery, and building high performing teams that directly support national security missions.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Identifying, shaping, and qualifying new business opportunities within National Security and Defence organisations leading early customer engagements and developing strategies that align with long-term sector growth
• Providing technical direction for bids and business development activities ensuring that proposed solutions are feasible, innovative, compliant, and mission-aligned
• Working closely with engineering, data, cyber, AI/ML, and systems integration teams to shape end-to-end solutions
• Translating complex missions’ needs into robust technical architecture, capability concepts, and delivery approaches
• Technically lead major bids from capture through proposal submission and contract negotiation
• Leading the design and evolution of end-to-end capabilities that combine people, processes, systems, and technology into coherent, high value outcomes
• Providing leadership across all areas and shaping and overseeing the delivery of complex capability programmes

Essential experience of the Principal Senior Technical Architect – National Security:

• 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
• A 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

Essential qualifications for the Principal Senior Technical Architect – National Security:

We value difference and we don’t have a fixed idea when it comes to background or education, provided you can show the required level of experience and willingness to learn then we would like to hear from you.

This role is 37 hours per week based at either our Farnborough or Malvern site. Hybrid working patterns are available. Frequent customer travel will be required.

Farnborough

At our Farnborough site exciting work takes place at our state-of-the-art facility, with high-energy laser technologies, our 5m pressurised wind tunnel which has a simulation capability that is unique in the UK and our large research and development projects is a real hub of creativity, research and innovation. Join our talented teams of Engineers, IT & Cyber Specialists, Project Managers, Group Functions Teams and many more to provide future defences in the UK.

Why Join QinetiQ?

As we continue to grow into new markets around the world, there’s never been a more exciting time to join QinetiQ. The formula for success is our appetite for innovation and having the courage to take on a wide variety of complex challenges.

As a QinetiQ employee, you’ll experience a unique working environment where teams from different backgrounds, disciplines and experiences enjoy collaborating widely and openly as we undertake this exciting and rewarding journey. Through effective teamwork, and pulling together, you’ll get to experience what happens when we all share different perspectives, blend disciplines, and link technologies; constantly discovering new ways of solving complex problems in a diverse and inclusive environment where you can be authentic, feel valued and realise your full potential. Visit our website to read more about our diverse and inclusive workplace culture.

Our Benefits

• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
• Generous holiday allowance, with the option to purchase additional days
• Options to join Health Cash Plan, Private Medical Insurance and Dental Insurance
• Employee discount portal: Personal Accident Insurance, Travel Insurance, Restaurants, Cinema Tickets and much more
• We are proud to support the Armed Forces community by honouring the Armed Forces Covenant and maintaining our Gold Award standard in the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme
• Volunteering Opportunities - helping charities and local community

Our Recruitment Process:

We want to make sure that our recruitment process is as inclusive as possible and we aspire to bring out the best in our candidates by creating an environment where everyone feels value, heard and supported. If you have a disability or health condition that may affect your performance in certain assessment types, please speak to your Recruiter about potential reasonable adjustments.

Many roles in QinetiQ are subject to national security vetting being completed, applicants who already hold the appropriate level of vetting may be able to transfer it upon appointment. A number of roles are also subject to additional restrictions, which mean factors such as nationality or previous nationalities may affect the roles that you can be employed in.

Please note that all applicants for this role must be willing to go through DV Clearance.

UKSV National Security Vetting Solution: guidance for applicants - GOV.UK (

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