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Solution architect

As a solution architect, you will either work in a particular domain or across delivery teams in a portfolio, to find the best use of data, applications and technology for services and products that meet user’s needs.

You will own the overall technical vision for a set of solutions and work with delivery teams to assure the implementation of those solutions. You will also help to deliver business change and achieve organisational objectives. You will be working in [for example] the Schools and Curriculum digital delivery portfolio, which includes services like Get help buying for your school, Start and manage an academy and Build or repair a school.

The role

Your main responsibilities will include:

  • Creating and managing the technical strategy for your service(s) - keeping up to date with the latest technologies and trends, whilst delivering working solutions early and often.
  • Creating and managing the solution design and development of services of various sizes, including how they interact with their surroundings, and how they evolve over time.
  • Supporting technical specialists in multiple projects and services, on problems that require broad architectural thinking.
  • Defining how we build and operate user-centred, open-source web systems in an agile environment, to serve a variety of citizen and government needs.
  • Challenging entrenched practices, looking for deeper underlying problems to solve, and larger opportunities for digital transformation.
  • Communicating the vision for government services to developers and non-developers alike, working in multi-disciplinary teams that bring policy and delivery together.
  • Playing an active role in the DfE Architecture community, related communities of practice / interest and events, where you will share your knowledge of best architecture practice, tools and techniques
  • Helping to build a diverse, inclusive culture across the technical architecture community, growing awareness, inclusivity and balance.
  • Working with other architects, colleagues, and peers on profession-based activities (and cross-profession), such as defining standards and guidance around best practice.

Skills you need

It is essential that you can demonstrate the following experience in your application and at the first stage interview:

  • Experience working with cloud-first architectures and how to design solutions that take advantage of the opportunities they offer.
  • Experience of working with stakeholders to make decisions on technology choices, using the most appropriate languages, frameworks and tools to meet user and business needs.
  • Experience of working with technical teams and delivering user-centred services in an agile environment.
  • Knowledge of open source principles and technologies.

In addition, the following essential criteria will also need to be demonstrated at the second interview stage:

  • The ability to work with technical and non-technical stakeholders to achieve agreement on technical plans.
  • The ability to look beyond immediate technical problems and identify the wider implications.
  • Practical knowledge at many levels of the web stack, from front-end code, down to infrastructure and networking.

It is desirable that you demonstrate the following:

  • Experience of applying the UK Government Service Standard and service assessment.
  • Experience of software development in either Ruby, .Net or similar.
  • Experience of practices such as Test-Driven Development (TDD), continuous integration, automated deployment pipelines, version control with Git and DevOps.

Please note that desirable criteria will only be considered to make an informed decision in the event of a tie.

Selection process

Application

Candidates should complete the advertised Civil Service Jobs application by submitting a completed application form and CV, explaining how they meet the essential criteria specified under the Selection Criteria heading in the advert.

CV details need to be included in the template within the application form which is accessible through the Civil Service Jobs advert. Emailed CVs will not be considered.

Sift

Applications will be sifted by a panel who will look further at the evidence provided. The CV will be assessed in-line with the essential criteria listed in the advert.

Depending on the number of candidates who meet the minimum pass mark at sift, you may be invited to a first stage interview.

First stage interview

Longlisted candidates may be invited to attend a preliminary interview, which will be conducted via telephone, typically involving a commitment of up to 1 hour. The interview will consist of a series of questions to further assess the essential criteria listed in this advert.

As interviews will be conducted via telephone, please ensure that you are in a suitable location to hear and answer the questions.

If successful, candidates will then be invited to a second interview, which will be conducted via a video call.

Second stage interview

At this interview, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of the essential skills, specified as being assessed at the second stage interview, under the Selection Criteria heading.

Second stage interviews may also include an additional scenario-based or presentation exercise.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.