Mission freelance IT Architect

Key Responsibilities
1. Lead Architecture for Brownfield Modernisation
* Analyse and reshape the existing architecture to support new upstream microservices and evolving schema definitions (300+ schemas).
* Design approaches for merging 3-5 years of historical data with newly structured data while maintaining consistent user journeys.
* Identify modernisation pathways that minimise disruption to live services.
2. Data Platform & Integration Architecture
* Define new and/or modify ingestion, transformation, and storage patterns suitable for microservice-based upstream systems.
* Ensure downstream services maintain data quality, lineage, and continuity during schema transitions.
* Design data migration strategies and transient approaches supporting phased, low-risk rollouts.
3. Infrastructure, Security & Network Architecture
* Define the infrastructure and security requirements for safe and compliant connectivity between AWS-hosted services and Azure-hosted DWP environments (e.g., SaSViya).
* Ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and controlled movement of sensitive data across cloud boundaries.
4. Technology Modernisation & Standards Alignment
* Assess existing technology choices (e.g., Kotlin) and recommend migration paths aligned to DWP-approved standards.
* Produce clear technical options, roadmap recommendations, and architectural decision records.
* Advocate for simplification, reduction of technical debt, and alignment to Digital Blueprint and Enterprise Architecture.
5. Leadership, Governance & Stakeholder Engagement
* Act as the senior architectural authority across related services.




Skills & Experience Required
Essential
* Proven experience as a senior technical architect in complex brownfield environments.
* Strong data platform architecture experience: ingestion patterns, schema evolution, ETL/ELT, microservices data integration.
* Multi-cloud integration expertise (Azure + AWS) including secure data transfer patterns.
* Deep understanding of government, public sector, or regulated environments.
* Strong experience of technical authority, security governance and SRE handover
* Experience maintaining critical services while modernising underlying platforms.
* Strong infrastructure, security, and network architecture capability (Zscaler, VPC patterns, VPN, identity).
* Ability to navigate and implement organisational standards
Hands-on experience re-architecting or migrating technology stacks to standardised platforms.
* Exceptional communication & leadership: able to drive clarity and decision-making in ambiguous contexts.
* Strong experience of technical documentation on Confluence/SharePoint

Desirable
* Experience with event-driven architectures and microservice-based data contracts.
* Knowledge of Kotlin and migration pathways to DWP-standard languages (Java, Python, etc.).
* Understanding of Power BI, CoPilot for Power BI, or GenAI (helpful but not core).
* Relevant AWS and Azure certifications.



LA International is a HMG approved ICT Recruitment and Project Solutions Consultancy, operating globally from the largest single site in the UK as an IT Consultancy or as an Employment Business & Agency depending upon the precise nature of the work, for security cleared jobs or non-clearance vacancies, LA International welcome applications from all sections of the community and from people with diverse experience and backgrounds.

Award Winning LA International, winner of the Recruiter Awards for Excellence, Best IT Recruitment Company, Best Public Sector Recruitment Company and overall Gold Award winner, has now secured the most prestigious business award that any business can receive, The Queens Award for Enterprise: International Trade, for the second consecutive period.