Lead Technical Architect (Digital Architecture and Design) - C2

This opportunity is only open to applicants who are currently 'Priority Movers'.

Applications from individuals not currently on the Priority Mover list will be rejected and not considered.

Help shape the technology decisions behind Scotland's digital future.

The Impact You’ll Make Join the Scottish Government's Digital Architecture and Design Division and play a leading role in shaping the architecture and technology, promoting digital principles to deliver efficient, accessible services aligned with Scotland’s Digital Strategy.

Through reuse, interoperability, standards and shared platforms, we enable joined-up, secure, resilient and future-proof systems, while championing user-centred design and accessible content to simplify information and keep it maintainable.

To see how these digital principles translate into user-facing services, please explore Access to public services in Scotland, which is Scotland’s online gateway to public services.

Our teams are building common platforms based on the re-use of common components that help public sector organisations deliver services more efficiently, securely and consistently for people across Scotland.

The work is complex, high profile and has genuine public impact.

You will play a pivotal role in supporting the delivery of our Digital Strategy for Scotland and the new Public Service Reform (PSR) Strategy, helping to drive innovation and transformation across the public sector.

The Role As a Lead Technical Architect, you will influence major technology decisions, guide solution design across a complex digital landscape, and work with teams across government and external partners to solve challenging technical problems.

You'll have the opportunity to shape technical strategy, champion Secure by Design principles, and help build consistent, reusable approaches that accelerate delivery while improving quality, resilience and user outcomes.

Your expertise will help ensure digital services remain secure, sustainable and aligned with organisational goals while supporting Scotland's wider digital transformation.

You will work closely with our Cloud Engineering, Application Development and Component Based Service Delivery Teams.

Our Architecture Practice Our architecture practice brings together people, technology and strategy to help create a fair, green and digitally inclusive Scotland.

We provide the architectural foundations that allow government teams to deliver secure, scalable and sustainable digital services that improve the lives of people across Scotland.

Our vision is to create a trusted architectural foundation that empowers government to deliver better digital outcomes through collaboration, consistency and the adoption of best practice.

Us?

By joining our division, you'll be part of a team that champions inclusion, sustainability and resilience, making a tangible impact on the public services that people rely on every day.

You'll also benefit from a 35-hour working week, flexible hybrid working, a competitive pension and the opportunity to build a rewarding career while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

• Lead the design and review processes for new solutions and services, evidencing the inclusion of Secure by Design principles within the technical designs you produce, oversee and approve.
• Create optimal technical designs through an iterative process, aligning user needs, system requirements, security considerations and organisational objectives.
• Contribute to the overall technical strategy and roadmap for the department within your area of expertise.
• Develop and document technical designs for the integration and implementation of solutions, working across GDD, business areas and delivery teams.
• Act as a key contributor to architecture governance activities, promoting effective working methods and the consistent application of technical architecture standards.
• Be recognised as a subject matter expert, contributing to the development of architectural practice and helping shape a coherent strategy across cybersecurity, cloud, data centre, storage, networking, mobile and infrastructure user experience.
• Present recommendations for technologies and improvement opportunities to senior leaders, based on technical expertise and analysis of business and system requirements.
• Ensure technical designs meet security and operational requirements.
• Manage, coach and mentor Technical Architects, helping to strengthen architecture capability across the organisation.
• Evaluate implemented solutions, identifying lessons learned and opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Provide feedback to leadership and support the adoption of lessons learned and best practice in future delivery and integration plans.