Lead Cloud Architect

The Lead Cloud Architect will act as the senior technical authority within the IT & Digital Practice, responsible for defining, governing, and assuring end-to-end solution delivery across complex digital transformation programmes.

This role provides architectural leadership across cloud, data, software integration, and application domains, ensuring solutions are secure, scalable, cost-efficient, and aligned with enterprise and customer strategies.

You will work closely with Programme Managers, Solution Architects, and senior customer stakeholders to shape solution direction, make key technical decisions, and establish technical standards across multiple disciplines.

This is a hybrid role with the successful candidate required to be in the Stevenage head office 3 days a week on average.

You must either hold or be eligible for SC clearance.

Responsibilities

• Own the overall technical vision and end-to-end solution architecture for one or more major programmes.
• Define and maintain architecture blueprints, patterns, and principles aligned with enterprise and cloud standards.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend adoption strategies that support business and digital goals.
• Ensure all technical solutions align with business outcomes, regulatory obligations, and security requirements.
• Serve as the final escalation point for architectural and design decisions across delivery workstreams.
• Approve key design artefacts, including high- and low-level designs, integration models, and security architectures.
• Oversee technical risk management and mitigate architectural issues early in the lifecycle.
• Ensure consistent use of DevOps, CI/CD, and Infrastructure-as-Code practices across AWS and Azure environments.
• Maintain high-quality solution documentation and assurance artefacts.
• Support programme planning by translating architecture into actionable delivery plans.
• Provide hands-on technical leadership and guidance to multidisciplinary delivery teams.
• Engage with senior stakeholders to communicate solution direction, risks, and recommendations.
• Define and maintain solution design and architecture governance standards.
• Champion secure, well-architected, and cost-optimised cloud solutions through formal design reviews.
• Mentor and develop Solution Architects, Data Architects, and Technical Leads across the practice.

• Extensive experience in solution architecture, with at least 3 years in a lead or principal capacity.
• Proven experience designing and governing complex, multi-cloud or hybrid solutions.
• Deep technical expertise in cloud, data, integration, and security architecture.
• Strong understanding of enterprise data platforms (Databricks, S3, Redshift), integration patterns (API Gateway, AppFlow, Logic Apps), and cloud-native services.
• Demonstrable leadership in delivering large-scale transformation or digital programmes.
• Proficiency in DevOps tooling (Terraform, GitHub, CodePipeline, Azure DevOps) and CI/CD practices.
• Exceptional communication, stakeholder engagement, and technical decision-making capabilities.
• Must be AWS Certified Solutions Architect
• Additional Azure Solutions Architect and TOGAF certifications also preferred.
• Must already hold or be eligible for SC clearance.

Akkodis is a global leader in engineering, technology, and R&D, harnessing the power of connected data to drive digital transformation and innovation for a smarter, more sustainable future. As part of the Adecco Group, Akkodis employs over 50,000 engineers and digital specialists across 30 countries in North America, EMEA, and APAC. Our teams bring extensive cross-sector knowledge in critical technology areas such as mobility, software services, robotics, simulations, cybersecurity, AI, and data analytics, enabling clients to tackle complex challenges in today's rapidly evolving markets.