Lead Cloud Architect – AWS (UK Civil Service Jobs)
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is recruiting a Lead Cloud Architect – AWS to join its Digital, Data, Technology & Security (DDTS) team. This is an excellent opportunity for experienced AWS Cloud Architects to lead cloud transformation initiatives across one of the UK’s largest government organisations.
Successful applicants will help define cloud architecture standards, oversee AWS governance, and support the delivery of secure, scalable, and resilient cloud services across Defra.
Job Summary
As the Lead AWS Cloud Architect, you will be a senior member of Defra’s Cloud Centre of Excellence (CCoE). You’ll shape the organisation’s AWS strategy by developing cloud standards, reference architectures, governance frameworks, and technical guidance while supporting delivery teams with complex cloud solutions.
This role combines strategic leadership with hands-on architectural design to ensure cloud services remain secure, cost-effective, and aligned with government standards.
Employer
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra)
Job Reference
471257
Location
- Bristol
- Newcastle upon Tyne
- Reading
- Warrington
- York
Salary
- National: £56,375 – £62,830 per year
- London: £62,000 – £69,105 per year
Additional benefits include:
- Digital, Data & Technology Skills Supplement of up to £26,608
- Civil Service Pension with 28.97% employer contribution
Employment Type
- Permanent
Job Grade
- Grade 7
Working Pattern
- Full-time
- Part-time
- Flexible Working
- Job Share
Hybrid working applies, with employees expected to spend at least 60% of working time in the workplace.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead AWS cloud architecture across Defra.
- Develop AWS reference architectures, standards, and governance.
- Design AWS landing zones and shared platform services.
- Produce High-Level and Low-Level Designs (HLDs and LLDs).
- Support cloud transformation programmes.
- Review and assure technical cloud designs.
- Participate in architecture review boards.
- Guide project teams on AWS best practices.
- Present cloud strategies to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Ensure cloud environments are secure, resilient, scalable, and cost-efficient.
Essential Skills & Experience
Applicants should have strong experience with:
- AWS cloud architecture
- AWS Landing Zones
- AWS Organizations
- Service Control Policies (SCPs)
- Hybrid cloud networking
- AWS Direct Connect
- Transit Gateway
- VPC Peering
- AWS PrivateLink
- AWS Well-Architected Framework
- Amazon EC2
- AWS Lambda
- Amazon ECS
- Amazon EKS (desirable)
- IAM
- AWS KMS
- AWS GuardDuty
- AWS Config
- AWS Security Hub
- Cloud governance
- Architecture assurance
- Enterprise architecture
Technical Skills Assessed
Candidates will be assessed on:
- Architecture for the whole context
- Architecture communication
- Community collaboration
- Making architectural decisions
- Strategy design
- Technical design throughout the lifecycle
Civil Service Behaviours
Assessment will cover:
- Changing and Improving
- Communicating and Influencing
- Delivering at Pace
Employee Benefits
Defra offers an excellent benefits package including:
- 25 days annual leave (rising to 30 days)
- Bank holidays
- Civil Service Pension (28.97% employer contribution)
- King’s Birthday leave
- Flexible working arrangements
- Three paid volunteering days annually
- Professional membership funding
- Learning and development support
- Health Cash Plan
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Free Headspace wellbeing access
- Retail discounts
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Season Ticket Loan
Application Process
Applicants must submit:
- An up-to-date CV
- A 500-word Personal Statement demonstrating how their experience matches the essential criteria using the STAR method.
Shortlisted candidates will attend a virtual Microsoft Teams interview.
Security Clearance
Successful applicants must obtain:
- Security Check (SC) Clearance
- Criminal Record Check
Important Visa Information
Visa sponsorship is NOT available for this role.
Defra does not hold a UK Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence, so applicants must already have the legal right to work in the UK.
Application Deadline
30 July 2026 (11:55 PM UK time)
Why Apply?
This senior AWS architecture role offers the opportunity to influence cloud strategy across a major UK government department while working on nationally significant digital transformation programmes. Alongside a highly competitive salary, you’ll receive outstanding Civil Service benefits, professional development opportunities, and long-term career progression.
How to Apply
Apply through the official UK Civil Service Jobs portal before the closing date.