SAP Basis Architect - Defence & Security (SAP DFPS/SAP D&S Environment)

Next Ventures are currently executing a search for an experienced SAP Basis Architect - Defence & Security (DFPS/D&S Environment) with proven experience within a SAP S/4HANA Defence & Security (DFPS) environment or Previous work experience on long-term public sector/SAP defence programme.

Industry: Defence, Aerospace, Public Security, Government

Contract Details

• Duration: Initial 12-month contract with extensions (programme duration up to 3 years)
• Work Model: On-site/hybrid (dependent on security requirements)
• Remote Working: Possible, subject to programme security constraints
• Travel: Willingness to travel within Europe approximately once per month
• Location: EU-based projects
• Eligibility:
  • EU or UK passport holders
  • Willingness to undergo security clearance process
• Security Clearance: SC or DV clearance (or eligibility to obtain), depending on programme requirements

Desirable

• Experience with SAP Defence & Security (DFPS/D&S)
• Knowledge of defence standards (eg NATO, MoD frameworks)
• Previous work on long-term public sector or defence programme

Department: IT Infrastructure/SAP Basis & Architecture/Defence & Security Systems Reports to: SAP D&S Technical Lead/Head of Defence ERP Infrastructure & Architecture

About the Role
Next Ventures is seeking an experienced SAP Basis Architect with proven expertise in designing, implementing, and maintaining robust SAP technical architectures within SAP Defence & Security (D&S/DFPS) environments.

This contract role supports mission-critical, long-term public sector/defence programmes across EU-based initiatives. You will lead the technical architecture for SAP S/4HANA Defence & Security landscapes (including DFPS compatibility scope where relevant), ensuring high availability, performance, security, scalability, and compliance in classified, operational, hybrid, on-premise, and disconnected scenarios typical of defence operations (eg, force element management, logistics in contested environments, readiness tracking).
The position requires deep SAP Basis knowledge combined with understanding of D&S-specific extensions - such as force element structures, organizational flexibility, disconnected operations support, and integration with defence-grade security standards. Emphasis is on secure system landscape design, hardening against cyber threats, auditability, and alignment with NATO/MoD frameworks, national security classifications, and programme-specific requirements.
Ideal for security-cleared (or clearable) SAP Basis professionals with hands-on experience in regulated defence/government ERP programmes, where system availability and data protection are paramount.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end technical architecture design for SAP S/4HANA Defence & Security landscapes, including system sizing, high-availability (HA)/disaster recovery (DR), landscape planning (dev/test/prod), and support for disconnected/offline operations in communication-challenged defence environments
• Architect secure SAP Basis configurations tailored to D&S/DFPS requirements - incorporating force element-based access, RADS extensions, context-dependent authorizations, and integration with defence-specific processes (eg, force generation, logistics, maintenance, readiness)
• Define and implement SAP system hardening, security baselines, patching strategies, and vulnerability management aligned with defence standards (eg, NATO security protocols, MoD frameworks, classified data handling)
• Oversee SAP HANA database architecture, performance tuning, backup/recovery, and security (eg, row-level security, encryption) in D&S contexts where data classification levels vary
• Design and manage hybrid/cloud/on-premise landscapes (including RISE with SAP where applicable), ensuring seamless integration with defence systems (eg, secure mobility, external NATO-compliant interfaces, disconnected sync)
• Conduct technical risk assessments, architecture reviews, and compliance audits for D&S implementations, custom developments, and integrations - focusing on availability in operational scenarios, cyber resilience, and regulatory adherence
• Collaborate with D&S functional architects, security teams, infrastructure leads, military stakeholders, and programme management to translate defence operational needs into robust, scalable SAP technical solutions
• Support system landscape transformations (eg, ECC to S/4HANA with D&S extensions), upgrades, migrations, and compatibility scope handling for Legacy DFPS environments
• Implement monitoring, alerting, performance optimization, and incident management processes optimized for defence-critical systems
• Provide expert guidance on SAP Basis best practices in high-security environments, including transport management, client strategies, user administration, and audit logging
• Stay current with SAP D&S roadmap (eg, native D&S capabilities in S/4HANA, disconnected enhancements, organizational flexibility innovations) and evolving defence/infrastructure/security standards
• Contribute to technical documentation, security policies, and training for defence teams managing SAP Basis in classified settings

Required Qualifications & Experience

• 8-12+ years in SAP Basis administration/architecture, with 4+ years in complex, high-security, or regulated environments (defence, government, aerospace preferred)
• Proven hands-on experience architecting SAP S/4HANA landscapes, including HANA database, Fiori, BTP integrations, and hybrid deployments
• Strong expertise in SAP system administration (installation, patching, upgrades, transport, client copy, performance tuning, HA/DR setups)
• Solid understanding of SAP security fundamentals (authorizations, roles, auditing, encryption) and hardening practices in mission-critical systems
• Experience with SAP in disconnected/offline scenarios or environments with limited connectivity (advantage in defence contexts)
• Knowledge of defence/public sector compliance (national classifications, NATO standards, MoD frameworks, cyber resilience requirements)
• Familiarity with tools like SAP Solution Manager, Focused Run, or equivalent for monitoring in regulated landscapes

Preferred Skills & Certifications

• SAP certifications: SAP Certified Technology Associate - SAP S/4HANA System Administration, SAP HANA Administration, SAP Basis/NetWeaver, or SAP Defence & Security Overview (eg, IDS series equivalents)
• Security certifications: CISSP, CISM, or defence-aligned qualifications
• Experience with RISE with SAP, cloud migration strategies, and SAP BTP in secure environments
• Knowledge of SAP D&S/DFPS specifics (force elements, organizational flexibility, disconnected operations)
• Current or eligible security clearance (SC/DV or equivalent EU/national level) - essential for programme access
• Proven track record on long-term public sector/defence SAP programmes

Personal Attributes

• Security-first mindset with meticulous attention to detail in classified/mission-critical infrastructures
• Strong analytical and architectural thinking for complex, high-stakes defence systems
• Excellent communication to liaise between technical Basis teams, military/operational stakeholders, and senior leadership
• Proactive, resilient, and able to operate under strict confidentiality, compliance, and availability constraints
• Team player experienced in multi-agency, international defence or public sector projects

If you are EU/UK passport-eligible, hold or can obtain SC/DV clearance, and have architect-level experience with SAP Basis in Defence & Security (DFPS/D&S) environments - ideally on long-term defence programmes - this is a strategic opportunity to shape critical defence ERP infrastructure.

Apply with your CV, current clearance status/eligibility, and details of your most relevant SAP Basis architecture project in defence, public sector, or high-security regulated industries.

CV in Word format

More information is available on application

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