Applied AI Innovation Architect (Cloud Solutions)

At Microsoft, our mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. On the National Security team, we apply that mission to government and intelligence customers operating in high‑stakes, mission‑critical environments.

To be eligible for this role (for the required security clearance), you must be a British citizen (passport) and currently living in the United Kingdom for the past 10 years 

As a Cloud Solution Architect aligned to National Security customers, you will turn complex mission needs into secure, working solutions. You will partner directly with customer stakeholders to design, build, and deploy secure proof‑of‑concept and mid‑TRL solutions across Microsoft cloud, AI, and security platforms.

You will use strong Python engineering skills and working knowledge of machine learning and large language models (LLMs) to deliver AI‑enabled applications end to end. The work spans data pipelines and model integration, backend APIs and services, and modern web user interfaces, with a focus on scalable, production‑ready outcomes.

To succeed, you will bring deep technical expertise, strong customer obsession, and the judgement to operate effectively in high‑trust, high‑security environments.

This is a customer‑facing role with on‑site work approximately 50–75% of the time, plus hybrid work within customer environments including Cheltenham, Manchester, and London. 

• Partner directly with national security and intelligence customers to understand mission objectives and translate them into clear technical concepts and solution designs.
• Design, develop, and deploy innovative solutions using Microsoft cloud, AI, and security platforms; experience integrating open‑source software is a plus.
• Move rapidly from concept → prototype → production, iterating with customer stakeholders to drive operational adoption—while navigating ambiguity in highly constrained environments.
• Build and integrate custom applications, data pipelines, and system integrations in sensitive and restricted environments.
• Apply secure‑by‑design principles, including Zero Trust architecture, identity and access, data protection, and compliance controls.
• Serve as a trusted technical advisor, balancing mission urgency with security, compliance, and reliability requirements.
• Collaborate with Microsoft product and engineering teams, translating field insights into improvements across platforms and services.
• Support solution hardening, monitoring, and continuous improvement after deployment.

Security requirements:

This role requires the ability to satisfy Microsoft background checks and customer or government security‑clearance requirements. You will need to undergo enhanced vetting (DVe) for this role.  A mandatory requirement is to be a British citizen and are currently living in the UK. 

Required Qualifications

·       Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, Business, or related field AND 8+ years of experience in one or more of the following: cloud/infrastructure technologies, IT consulting/support, systems administration, network operations, software development/support, technology solutions, practice development, architecture, and/or consulting.

o   OR equivalent experience.

·       Security requirements:

This role requires the ability to satisfy Microsoft background checks and customer or government security‑clearance requirements. You will need to undergo enhanced vetting (DVe) for this role.

Preferred Qualifications

·       Experience working with government, intelligence, or national‑security customers.

·       Hands‑on experience delivering AI, data, or analytics solutions in production. Experience applying and deploying the latest frontier models is desirable.

·       Preferred technical skills include:

o   Core engineering: Python, REST APIs, microservices.

o   AI and machine learning: PyTorch, TensorFlow, LangChain, LlamaIndex.

o   Data and databases: SQL databases, Python data tooling, Pandas, NumPy.

o   Frontend: React, Next.js, JavaScript/TypeScript, modern UI frameworks.

·       Experience operating in restricted, regulated, or classified environments.

Strong communication skills, including the ability to brief technical and non‑technical stakeholders in high‑pressure settings.

Link for information on clearance / vetting required   EDV - Guidance Pack for Applicants - GOV.UK 

Cloud Solution Architecture IC4 - The typical base pay range for this role across United Kingdom is £ 61,900.00 - £ 105,500.00 per year. Certain roles may be eligible for benefits and other compensation.

Find additional benefits and pay information here:
https://careers.microsoft.com/v2/global/en/corporate-pay/united-kingdom-corporate-pay.html

This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.