DevOps Architect

This position is Inside IR35 and will be working on site. The preference is for the individual to be based in Erskine, however if based closer to Farnborough or Newcastle, the resource would be expected to attend the client site in Corsham twice per week. The candidate must have fully transferrable DV clearance. Architect – Terraform Farnborough, Erskine, Newcastle Contract till 2027-03-31 An experienced DevOps Architect is required to lead the design, build, and assurance of DevOps tooling platforms within secure, offline (air-gapped) environments. The role will provide technical leadership in delivering and sustaining integrated DevOps capabilities (including Jira, GitLab, Confluence, and Ansible) in support of a UK Government secure account. The successful candidate will operate within high-assurance environments, ensuring alignment with Client/Customer security policies and standards, while engaging directly with stakeholders across customer sites. Key Responsibilities Lead the architecture, design, and implementation of DevOps tooling platforms, including:Source code management and CI/CD (GitLab)Work management and ticketing (Jira)Collaboration and documentation platforms (Confluence)Configuration management and automation (Ansible)Experienced with VMware technologyDesign and deliver integrated DevOps ecosystems within offline (air-gapped) environments, ensuring secure operation and maintainabilityDefine and implement toolchain integration patterns, enabling controlled workflows across development, build, and deployment stagesDevelop secure mechanisms for software promotion, patching, updates, and plugin management in disconnected environmentsEnsure solutions comply with Client/Customer security standards and accreditation requirementsEstablish and promote DevOps best practices, including automation, repeatability, auditability, and configuration controlConduct technical assurance activities, including design reviews, compliance checks, and security assessmentsProduce and maintain formal design and operational documentationSupport incident management, troubleshooting, and platform optimisationEngage with stakeholders across delivery, security, and operational teams, including on-site engagements within secure environments Required Skills & Experience Demonstrable experience operating as a DevOps Architect or senior DevOps SME within secure or regulated environmentsProven experience designing, building, and supporting:GitLab (repositories, CI/CD pipelines, runners, security controls)Jira (workflow design, issue tracking, reporting)Confluence (structured documentation and knowledge management)Ansible (automation, configuration management, orchestration)Strong experience working within offline / air-gapped environments, including:Secure installation and configuration of tooling platformsDependency and repository management (e.g., package mirroring, artifact control)Controlled update and patching processesExperience designing secure DevOps pipelines, including:Build and release managementAccess control and segregation of dutiesAudit and traceability of changesStrong understanding of configuration management, infrastructure as code, and automation principlesDemonstrable experience producing formal technical documentation, including:High-Level Designs (HLDs)Low-Level Designs (LLDs)Security architecture documentationStandard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and runbooksStrong scripting and automation skills (e.g., Bash, Python, Ansible YAML)Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills Experience supporting security accreditation and assurance activities, including:Risk identification and managementProduction of accreditation evidenceCompliance validation against defined standards