Security Architect
The advert says the job needs UK security clearance:
“Must hold, or be eligible to obtain and maintain, UK Security Check (SC) Clearance .”
SC clearance usually needs five years of living in the UK, and DV clearance usually needs ten. If you have lived here that long, for example on a Student and then a Graduate visa, you may be able to get it. Most people applying from outside the UK cannot, so the highest likelihood we give this job is Unlikely. Ask PENNON GROUP PLC whether they would sponsor you.
Unlikely
Sponsorship likelihood
The advert asks for security clearance
£55,000 – £65,000 / year
Salary
Within the market range
£48,500
Going rate
Offer clears by 1.1×
This role likely qualifies for a Skilled Worker visa
SOC 2135 (63% match) is an eligible occupation, with a going rate of £48,500, and PENNON GROUP PLC is a licensed sponsor. That is our reading of the rules. Whether they issue a Certificate of Sponsorship is still their call.
This could also be SOC 2133 (IT business analysts, architects and systems designers). We read the code off the advert, so it is our best guess, not the employer's.
New graduate or PhD holder? Pick one of the lower rates.
What each route needs for this job
| Occupation code | New entrant 70% of going rate | STEM PhD 80% of going rate | Relevant PhD 90% of going rate | Standard rate 100% of going rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
2135 Cyber security professionals Most likely code | £34,000 Clears | £38,800 Clears | £43,700 Clears | £48,500 Clears |
2133 IT business analysts, architects and systems designers Also possible | £38,400 Clears | £43,900 Clears | £49,400 Clears | £54,900 Clears |
We use the lowest threshold across the plausible codes. Likelihood is Possible at most when the pay clears only a lower rate, or only under a less likely code. A mark is for the top of the advertised pay. How the Home Office picks the code
About the role
Powered by Water, Driven by Purpose
South West Water keeps the South West flowing with safe, reliable drinking water and wastewater services across some of the UK’s most stunning landscapes.
We’re proud to be part of Pennon Group, a leader in the UK water sector, working towards a greener future. Our goals? As well as lowering our carbon footprint, we’re working with partners to plant 300,000 trees, restore peatlands and supporting farmers and landowners to improve water quality and wildlife.
Whether you’re starting out or seeking a new challenge, our scale and ambition create opportunities for you to shape your own career.
Ready to make a splash? Join our team today.
Security Architect
Location: Exeter with Hybrid Working
Salary: £55,000 - £65,000 per annum + annual bonus + excellent benefits
Contract: Full Time, Permanent
We're looking for an experienced Security Architect to lead the design and assurance of secure architectures across business and technology change. This is a highly influential role where you'll act as the senior security design authority, helping to shape strategic technology decisions and ensuring security is embedded from the earliest stages of delivery.
Working across both enterprise IT and Operational Technology (OT) environments, you'll provide expert guidance, lead threat modelling activities and define security standards that protect critical services relied upon by millions of customers.
What you'll be doingAs Security Architect, you will:
Lead the definition, development and assurance of secure architectures across business and technology change.
Own security architecture principles, standards, reference models and reusable design patterns.
Review and approve solution architectures, high-level designs and significant design decisions.
Facilitate threat modelling workshops using methodologies including STRIDE, attack trees and kill-chain analysis.
Ensure threats, risks, abuse cases and security requirements are identified, documented and addressed throughout delivery.
Provide architectural oversight from concept and design through to implementation and assurance.
Develop and maintain the security architecture roadmap and target-state security capabilities.
Support strategic technology decisions, procurement activities and product selection.
Maintain architecture artefacts and contribute to audit, governance, risk and regulatory assurance processes.
Extend appropriate security controls into Operational Technology environments, including network segmentation, secure remote access, monitoring and operational resilience.
Collaborate with architecture, engineering, delivery and operational teams to achieve consistent security outcomes across the organisation.
You'll bring significant experience within cyber security architecture and be confident influencing stakeholders, balancing risk and enabling business outcomes.
Essential experienceProven experience as a Security Architect or in a senior security design role.
Experience defining security architecture frameworks, standards, reference models and design patterns.
Strong threat modelling experience within project and architecture environments.
Experience reviewing and assuring enterprise and solution architectures.
Strong understanding of governance, risk management and control assurance processes.
Ability to translate business requirements and technical risks into secure architectural solutions.
Experience producing architecture artefacts, threat models, standards and technical guidance.
Excellent stakeholder management and workshop facilitation skills.
Broad technical knowledge across:
Identity & Access Management (IAM)
Network security and segmentation
Endpoint and server security
Cloud security
Security monitoring and detection
Must hold, or be eligible to obtain and maintain, UK Security Check (SC) Clearance.
Strong knowledge of:
Security architecture principles
Threat modelling methodologies
NCSC Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF)
Secure-by-design principles
NIS Regulations
ISO 27001
NIST Frameworks
CISSP, SABSA, TOGAF, CCSP or equivalent professional certification.
Experience within utilities, water, critical national infrastructure or OT/ICS environments.
Experience supporting audit and regulatory assurance activities.
This role is ideal for someone who enjoys:
Influencing strategic technology decisions.
Defining clear direction where technology, risk and business requirements are complex.
Embedding security early in the design process rather than relying on retrospective controls.
Leading collaborative threat analysis and transforming risks into practical solutions.
Creating standards, patterns and architectures that improve consistency, resilience and security maturity.
Balancing business outcomes, operational resilience and security requirements within a regulated environment.
We believe in rewarding our people for their hard work and dedication. As our
Security Architect you'll enjoy:
What we offer
Attractive Salary & Benefits Package
Annual Bonus Scheme – Recognising company performance
Pension Scheme – Helping you plan for your future
Hybrid Working – A blend of office and home working, supporting flexibility while maintaining collaboration with your team
Employee Assistance Programme – Supporting your wellbeing
Employee Discounts – Access to discounts on a range of products and services
Annual Leave Allowance – Giving you time to rest and recharge
Annual Leave Buy & Sell Scheme – Flexibility to purchase additional holiday or sell unused leave to suit your lifestyle
Career Development Opportunities – Supporting your ongoing growth and development
Closing Date: 30th October 2026
We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
Please note that the successful candidate will be subject to a mandatory DBS check as part of the onboarding process.
Be yourself, we like it that way. Together, we will build a culture of belonging, where inclusion is instinctive. Diversity is our strength and a reflection of our communities. We care, we value everyone, we celebrate uniqueness.
Our core values, which are essential to our success, are:
Be Rock Solid - Build trust and be trusted. Be the one we all look to and can depend on.
Be You - We want you to bring your best everyday. Be yourself and make your mark in your individual way.
Be the Future - Embrace change. Drive Progress. Own the challenge.
This description is the source posting as it read when we added it. We are not affiliated with PENNON GROUP PLC, so check their own site for the current details.
Where this offer sits in the market
Cyber security professionals (SOC 2135) · UK · ONS ASHE 2025 · basic pay · ~30k in sample- Offer £55,000–65,000
- Middle half £43,680–69,316
- Median £51,376
- Going rate £48,500
- Threshold £41,700
- New entrant £34,000–43,700
The range sits inside the market's middle half (£43,680–69,316), so this is typical pay for the occupation.
Similar sponsored roles
See all UK visa jobsNo close matches live right now.
Browse more sponsored jobs at PENNON GROUP PLCAbout sponsorship for this role
Does this job guarantee visa sponsorship?
Not necessarily. PENNON GROUP PLC holds a sponsor licence, but sponsorship for a specific hire is always the employer's decision. Be upfront in your application that you'll require it.
What salary is needed for this role to be eligible?
The offer must clear both the general threshold and the SOC 2135 going rate of £48,500. New-entrant and shortage discounts can lower it.