Security Architect – Defence & National Security Programmes

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - Hybrid Working

Must be willing to re-locate to Abu Dhabi for significant periods of time

Permanent role - Salary/Benefits Negotiable

We are seeking a proven Security Architect to support the design and delivery of integrated defence and national-security capabilities. The successful candidate will operate within a mission-critical environment, developing security architectures that enable resilience, information assurance, and operational superiority in the face of evolving threats.

This position is ideal for an individual with a defence, military, or national-security background who can combine strategic vision with deep technical expertise to ensure that systems, platforms, and networks remain secure, interoperable, and mission-ready.

Role Overview:

The Security Architect will be responsible for the end-to-end design, governance, and integration of security architectures across complex defence systems. This includes classified environments, C4ISR networks, command-and-control systems, and mission-critical operational technology. The role demands an understanding of both conventional and asymmetric threat environments and the ability to develop solutions aligned with defence doctrine, mission assurance, and sovereign-capability objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead the design of secure architectures for defence systems, networks, and platforms supporting operational and national-security objectives.
Develop comprehensive security frameworks and reference architectures aligned with military and government standards.
Conduct threat and vulnerability assessments against sophisticated adversary TTPs, ensuring architectures are threat-informed and resilient.
Define security requirements for C4ISR systems, secure communications, mission networks, and integrated command-and-control environments.
Govern and assure architecture implementation across programmes, ensuring technical coherence and compliance with defence policy and standards.
Provide expert guidance to engineering, intelligence, and operational teams on secure design, data classification, and mission assurance principles.
Support the accreditation and certification of systems operating in classified domains.
Mentor and develop engineering teams, embedding a security-by-design culture across projects.
Maintain situational awareness of emerging technologies, threat trends, and defence-sector innovations (AI, autonomous systems, EW, cyber operations).

Required Background and Competencies:

Minimum 10 years’ experience in security architecture or systems engineering within a defence, intelligence, or national-security environment.
Strong understanding of defence networks, operational systems, mission systems, and command architectures.
Proven experience delivering architecture solutions for secure, classified, or mission-critical systems.
Familiarity with defence and government frameworks (e.g., NIST RMF, ISO 27001, SABSA, TOGAF) and security accreditation processes.
Deep understanding of threat-based design, red/blue teaming insights, and adversary tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs).
Experience working with or supporting military, intelligence, or homeland-security operations.
Excellent stakeholder-management skills, with the ability to brief senior officers and programme leaders on security posture and risk.
Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity, Systems Engineering, Information Assurance, or a related discipline (advanced degree preferred).
Eligible for or currently holding a security clearance suitable for access to classified information.

Highly Desirable:

Prior military service or direct support to defence operations or defence-industry programmes.
Experience with joint operations, mission networks, or multinational defence integration.
Knowledge of electronic warfare, space systems, and cyber-enabled defence operations.
Relevant professional certifications such as CISSP, CISM, SABSA Chartered, TOGAF, or equivalent.

What’s on Offer:

A key role within a high-impact national-security and defence-modernisation programme.
Opportunity to shape next-generation defence architectures supporting sovereign capability and mission readiness.
Engagement with advanced technologies, operational environments, and classified missions.
Competitive salary and benefits commensurate with experience and clearance level.

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Security Architect - Defence & National Security