Head of Defence Solution Architecture
Amazon
Head of Defence Solution Architecture
Amazon
Sells products online and rents cloud computing
Do you have deep experience working with Australian Defence customers, and the cloud expertise to match? AWS is looking for a leader to head our Defence Solutions Architecture team in Australia — someone who understands how Defence operates, the environment it works within, and how cloud technology can genuinely advance mission outcomes.
We're looking for someone with broad familiarity across the Australian Defence Organisation and the Defence Industrial Base, and a genuine interest in the Defence mission — whether that experience was gained inside Defence or working adjacent to it (for example, in consulting, systems integration, defence industry, or a technology provider serving Defence customers). In this role, you will lead a team of senior AWS solutions architects who partner with customers across the Defence sector to design and implement cloud-based systems that meet some of the most demanding security and compliance requirements in the industry. This is a player-coach position — you will guide your team's engagements while also working directly with customers when your expertise can drive the greatest impact.
Applicants must be Australian citizens and must hold or be able to attain an Australian Government Security Vetting Agency clearance (see https://www1.defence.gov.au/security/clearances).
Above all, this is a people-leadership role. You will build, grow, and develop a high-performing team of solutions architects — hiring and retaining strong talent, coaching your people through complex engagements, and creating an environment where they can do their best work. Australia's strategic circumstances have fundamentally shifted, and Defence is modernising at pace. Success in this role depends on genuine credibility across the Defence community — the ability to earn trust with senior Defence leaders, understand their mission and operational challenges, and translate those challenges into secure, compliant, cloud-enabled solutions. You will set the strategic direction for your organisation, prioritise where AWS invests its time for maximum customer outcomes, and build a team culture grounded in technical excellence and deep customer understanding.
A working knowledge of Australian Government security policy, including the Essential Eight and the Information Security Registered Assessors Program (IRAP), is essential. If you are ready to lead where cloud technology meets Defence, we want to hear from you.
Key job responsibilities
- Build, grow, and develop a high-performing team of senior solutions architects — hiring and retaining strong talent, actively coaching and mentoring your people, and investing in their career growth.
- Set the strategic direction for your solutions architecture team, defining priorities and team structures that align AWS investment with the areas of greatest customer impact across Defence.
- Lead as a player-coach — guiding your team on complex engagements while also delivering directly to customers when the situation calls for it.
- Build enduring, trust-based relationships with senior Defence stakeholders, operating as a credible partner who understands their mission, operating environment, and capability priorities.
- Partner with Defence customers to translate their mission requirements into cloud architecture designs that address security, compliance, and cost considerations, including alignment with the Essential Eight and IRAP frameworks.
- Collaborate with account teams, service teams, and security specialists to remove blockers, shape go-to-market priorities, and connect your team's work to broader AWS and customer objectives.
- Establish processes that enable your team to operate independently, make sound decisions, and continuously improve how they deliver outcomes for customers.
A day in the life
You start your morning reviewing key metrics and customer engagement updates from your leadership team. Mid-morning, you join a strategy session where your architects present recommendations for a high-priority customer initiative, and you provide guidance on trade-offs and long-term implications. After lunch, you lead a talent review discussion, identifying development opportunities for emerging leaders across your organisation. Later, you connect with cross-functional partners to align on an upcoming product launch, ensuring your team's roadmap supports shared objectives.
About the team
Our team works with Australian Defence customers to help them adopt and build on AWS with confidence. We partner closely with account teams, security specialists, and service teams to deliver solutions that meet the highest standards of compliance and performance.
We are building an inclusive team where technical depth and a genuine understanding of the customer mission come first. Candidates with previous military or defence backgrounds are welcomed — your operational experience and understanding of the mission environment are highly valued here. If you are passionate about developing people, working on problems that matter, and shaping how AWS supports Defence outcomes, this is the team for you.
Diverse Experiences
AWS values diverse experiences. Even if you don't meet all of the qualifications listed below, we encourage you to apply. If your career hasn't followed a traditional path or includes non-linear experiences, that's something we value — don't let it stop you from applying.
Why AWS?
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the world's most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform. We pioneered cloud computing and never stopped innovating — that's why customers from the most successful startups to Global 500 companies trust our robust suite of products and services to power their businesses.
Inclusive Team Culture
Here at AWS, it's in our nature to learn and be curious. Our employee-led affinity groups foster a culture of inclusion that empowers us to be proud of our differences. Ongoing events and learning experiences inspire us to never stop embracing our uniqueness.
Mentorship & Career Growth
We're continuously raising our performance bar as we strive to become Earth's Best Employer. That's why you'll find endless knowledge-sharing, mentorship, and other career-advancing resources here to help you develop into a better-rounded professional.
Work/Life Balance
We value work-life harmony. Achieving success at work should never come at the expense of sacrifices at home, which is why we strive for flexibility as part of our working culture.
- Experience managing a technical team of solution architects, sales engineers or similar technical roles
- Experience building and operating a cloud-based architecture
- Familiarity with the Australian Defence Organisation and Defence Industrial Base, with experience within Defence or working adjacent to it (e.g. consulting, systems integration, or defence industry)
- Working knowledge of Australian Government security policy, including the Essential Eight and IRAP
- Experience hiring, developing, and managing high-performing technical teams
- Experience architecting/operating solutions built on AWS
- AWS certification, such as, AWS Solutions Architect, or a similar cloud certification
Acknowledgement of country:
In the spirit of reconciliation Amazon acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
IDE statement:
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
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Amazon runs the largest online store in the United States and rents cloud computing to businesses and governments through Amazon Web Services. AWS pioneered renting computing power over the internet, and Amazon built its own delivery network to get orders to customers quickly. Shoppers buy from Amazon and from independent sellers on its store, and Prime members pay a subscription for fast free shipping, streaming video and music, and other perks. AWS rents out computing power, storage, databases, and AI tools so companies can run software without owning servers, and Amazon also makes Kindle e-readers and Echo speakers with the Alexa assistant. Jeff Bezos founded Amazon in 1994, and it is based in Seattle, Washington.
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