Job Title: Technical Assurance Consultant

Location: Hybrid, Reading (2 days per week onsite)

Role: Full Time, Contract

Clearance: Minimum SC Clearance Required

Nationality Requirement: Sole UK Nationals Only (No Dual Nationality)

Salary: Up to £75,000 + Benefits

F5 are delighted to be partnering with a leading SME supporting a major international defence programme. They are seeking an experienced Technical Assurance Consultant to establish and mature the organisation’s technical assurance framework, develop its digital assurance capability, and support the Authority to Operate (ATO) process for classified networks.

This is a high-profile role that will play a key part in defining technical policy, governance and assurance standards across a complex and secure digital estate. The successful candidate will work closely with senior stakeholders to establish strategic technical baselines, mature assurance processes, and contribute to the accreditation of critical classified systems.

The role is based in Reading with a requirement to attend site two days per week.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and establish the client’s technical policy and standards framework, modelled on MOD JSP 453/604 and JSP 440.
• Develop testable technical policies and standards for the digital estate using recognised defence assurance methodologies.
• Map technical standards to evidence requirements across programme and system lifecycle gates.
• Establish baseline governance, change control processes, and maturity roadmaps.
• Assess current assurance capabilities and define target-state assurance maturity.
• Develop and implement a digital assurance operating model covering processes, roles, responsibilities and risk acceptance routes.
• Create assurance templates, governance processes and supporting documentation.
• Assess classified network readiness for Authority to Operate (ATO).
• Support the preparation and submission of accreditation and assurance evidence.
• Provide technical assurance expertise to stakeholders across the programme.

Key Skills & Experience

• Strong working knowledge of JSP 453, JSP 604 and JSP 440.
• Proven experience writing and implementing technical policies and standards within Defence, Government or Critical National Infrastructure environments.
• Experience taking technical policies and standards through formal review, governance and approval processes.
• Strong understanding of security accreditation, assurance frameworks and governance models.
• Demonstrable experience assessing assurance maturity and delivering capability improvement programmes.
• Experience establishing or developing in-house digital assurance functions.
• Proven track record of supporting or achieving Authority to Operate (ATO) approval for classified systems and networks.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, communication and influencing skills.
• Ability to operate effectively within highly regulated and security-conscious environments.

Due to the nature of this programme, this opportunity is open only to Sole UK Nationals and requires a minimum of active SC Clearance.

For a confidential discussion and further information, please apply today.