Location
Central London

Hours
Full Time - standard government working hours

Salary
£75,026 to £80,267 plus a Government Digital and Data allowance of up to £21,657, subject to capability assessment

About the Role
Do you want to work collaboratively designing modern IT architecture for some of the largest digital transformations in Europe? Do you want to help support millions of claimants by designing user-friendly digital services? If so, this role may be perfect for you! We are seeking experienced Lead Technical Architects specialising in Application Design and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support major initiatives within the AI & Innovation team at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). You will collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders across DWP Digital to deliver solutions, create options and recommendations, and provide expert advice to drive technology choices. Your responsibilities will include the design, oversight, and architecture governance of IT solutions that support DWP customers.

The DWP’s Corporate Innovation Unit (CIU) is leading ambitious AI and Continuous Improvement initiatives to optimise internal business processes using Microsoft Office 365 AI solutions, Microsoft Agent Builder, Microsoft Copilot Studio, and potentially bespoke AI solutions leveraging cloud AI managed services infrastructure. This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future and support the mission to deliver exceptional products and services that work for everyone.

Experience
- Architecture design across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments covering networking, security, presentation, middleware, database, and integration aspects.
- Use of architecture principles, patterns, technical radars, practices, and standards.
- Working with project delivery teams in agile, waterfall, and hybrid environments throughout the lifecycle from concept to go-live.
- Translating business requirements into technical solutions with traceability for stakeholders.
- Architecture modelling techniques and tools.
- Assurance experience for enterprise AI productivity tools such as Copilot (including Agent Builder & Copilot Studio) and Claude Desktop.
- Implementing AI solution evaluation frameworks covering business KPIs, hallucination rates, safety and bias testing, and cost evaluation.
- AI security governance, compliance, threat mitigation, data protection, privacy, and model governance.

About you
You are a confident and collaborative Lead Technical Architect who can network and communicate effectively with senior stakeholders. You proactively seek digital transformation opportunities, support multiple teams by applying best practices and emerging technologies, inspire other architects, and take responsibility for governance and solving complex, high-risk architectural issues.

Qualifications
Relevant professional qualifications and demonstrable experience in technical architecture, particularly in AI and application design, are expected. Continuous professional development and a strong understanding of architecture frameworks and governance are essential.