Technical Lead - Data and Integration

• Provide technical leadership across cloud, infrastructure, cyber security, and enterprise platforms
• Lead and mentor multidisciplinary engineering teams including Systems Engineers, Data Engineers, Data Analysts, and DevSecOps Engineers
• Define engineering standards, technical governance, and best practices
• Oversee architecture decisions and ensure alignment with enterprise strategy
• Drive adoption of DevSecOps, Platform Engineering, Infrastructure as Code, and automation
• Lead Azure, Kubernetes, and OpenShift platform strategy and technical delivery
• Oversee cloud, hybrid, and on-premise infrastructure environments
• Ensure security, resilience, scalability, and compliance across all technology platforms
• Manage technical risks, dependencies, and major incident escalations
• Evaluate emerging technologies and support future technology roadmaps
• Work closely with business stakeholders to align technical delivery with programme objectives

Technologies:

• AI
• Ansible
• Azure
• CI/CD
• Cloud
• DevSecOps
• DevOps
• Grafana
• Support
• Kubernetes
• Machine Learning
• OpenShift
• Power BI
• PowerShell
• Python
• Security
• Terraform, We are hiring a Technical Lead for a Secure Digital Platform (SDP) Data & Integration programme supporting critical UK Defence and Aerospace initiatives. This is a 12-month contract based in Reading with hybrid working, requiring three days onsite per week. The role offers £80.00 to £84.82 per hour inside IR35. We provide an opportunity to lead technical strategy across secure enterprise environments, working with modern cloud, platform, cyber security, and data technologies on high-impact programmes. Active SC Clearance and sole UK nationality are required.

• Current active SC Clearance already held
• Sole UK national due to programme security requirements
• Proven experience delivering technical leadership within MOD, Defence Digital, UK Aerospace, or other highly regulated defence environments
• Ability to work onsite in Reading 3 days per week
• Significant experience leading multidisciplinary engineering or infrastructure teams
• Strong technical background across Microsoft Azure, enterprise infrastructure, and cloud technologies
• Extensive experience with hybrid cloud environments
• Expertise in Kubernetes and OpenShift platforms
• Strong understanding of DevOps, DevSecOps, Platform Engineering, and Infrastructure as Code
• Experience implementing cyber security controls and secure engineering practices
• Knowledge of enterprise data platforms, data engineering, and analytics ecosystems
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines and automation technologies
• Strong skills in Terraform, Ansible, PowerShell, Python, or similar automation tools
• Excellent understanding of enterprise networking, identity management, and platform security
• Outstanding stakeholder management, leadership, and communication skills
• Ability to make strategic technical decisions while balancing delivery, operational support, and long-term platform evolution
• Desirable: Defence, Aerospace, or other highly regulated industry experience
• Desirable: Enterprise Architecture certification or equivalent experience
• Desirable: Experience supporting classified or secure government environments
• Desirable: Knowledge of AI, Machine Learning, and Digital Twin technologies
• Desirable: Experience with multi-cloud environments
• Desirable: FinOps and cloud cost optimisation
• Desirable: Supplier and strategic technology partner management
• Desirable: Experience delivering large-scale digital transformation programmes
• Desirable: Knowledge of Power BI, Apache Superset, Grafana, and enterprise reporting platforms