Technical Architect

Join us as a Technical Architect and work within a branch of around 40 professionals to help shape the future of social security in Scotland. We’re looking for someone passionate about creating innovative solutions integrating public cloud services and software as a Service platform.

We promote autonomy and self-organisation, allowing you to influence ways of working and set guiding principles. The Architecture and Design branch, part of our Digital Delivery and Change Directorate, is divided into six domains: technical, cloud, enterprise, data, business, and application architecture. We focus on high-level architecture and frameworks to sustainably plan, prioritise, and deliver change across our digital landscape.

Our solutions are highly integrated with external partners, reflecting our role within a wider public sector ecosystem dedicated to simplifying access to information and services. Guided by our Digital and Technology Strategy, we aim to deliver devolved and new benefits for the people of Scotland.

If you’re seeking a role within a supportive organisation that prioritises your development and growth, apply now to join our innovative team.

A Technical Architect is responsible for the assurance and design of digital solutions.

As a Technical Architect, you will undertake structured analysis of technical issues, translating this analysis into technical designs that describe a solution. You will be consulted on solutions and can provide design patterns.

You will identify the deeper issues that need resolution and look for opportunities for collaboration with the ability to identify cases for the reuse of common patterns, components, platforms, or solutions. An architect can communicate with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

You will ensure your solutions adhere to the relevant architecture governance.

You will be expected to build effective partnerships with diverse teams across multiple locations and technologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and assurance of complex technical architectures across multiple services, platforms and delivery teams.
• Define and govern enterprise integration patterns, API strategies, system interoperability standards and data exchange mechanisms to ensure scalability, maintainability and secure service delivery.
• Presenting recommendations for technologies or improvements to enhance systems to support project goals clearly to management, based on knowledge of IT and analysis of systems’ needs.
• Evaluating the success of a project, once the solution has been integrated, identifying best practices and lessons learned.
• Act as a key contributor to architecture governance activities ensuring the adoption of good working methods and best practice in the application of technology architecture standards.
• Recommending technologies or improvements to enhance systems to support project goals, based on the analysis of systems’ needs and requirements of the business.
• Contributing to the overall technical strategy and road map for the department in your area of expertise.
• Developing and documenting the proposed technical design for the integration and implementation of technology solutions, working with and across other areas of DDaT and the business.
• Ensure designs meet security and operational requirements.
• Act as a Subject Matter expert, understanding the bigger picture, including wider departmental, organisational or cross government strategies to ensure your recommendations and designs are aligned.
• Owning the design of a digital component(s) and ensuring the design and solution fit with the wider designs.

Success Profiles
We use an assessment framework called ‘Success Profiles’ which lists the elements we test and provides detailed descriptions of each. Find out more about the framework here.

For this post, the following Success Profile elements will be assessed:

Experience:

You’ll have demonstrable experience in Technical Architecture, with the following additional skills and/or strong experience in:

1. Providing technical design expertise, including designing complex technology solutions recognising time, cost and quality targets and constraints.
   
2. Evidencing strategic technical architecture and leadership qualities, identifying technical opportunities to meet the requirements of large projects or critical workstream in larger programmes.

Behaviours:

• Leadership (Level 4)
• Communicating and Influencing (Level 4)

You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours here:

Technical / Professional Skills:
This role is aligned to Senior Technical Architect within the Government Digital and Data Profession.

These skills will be tested during the Technical Assessment if you are successful at sift stage. They will be not be assessed at application stage. Please review the following to understand the skill expectations - Technical architect - Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework

How to Apply
Apply online, you must provide a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 1000 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the Experience and Behaviours listed in the Success Profiles above.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the CV and Supporting Statement on the first Experience criteria. Candidates who pass the initial sift will have their applications fully assessed.

There may be a telephone interview prior to the final interview stage.

Successful candidates will be invited to an interview which will assess the Experience and Behaviours, and a technical assessment comprising a 15 minute presentation which will assess the Technical Skills.

Full details of the interview and assessment process will be shared with shortlisted candidates once the sift has been completed.

We aim to provide feedback on request. However, if we receive a large number of applications it may not be possible for us to provide specific feedback on your application. We will provide feedback on request to candidates who attend an interview/assessment.

Information Session
We are holding a candidate information session for this role to provide you with information about the application and interview process as well as further information on the role and team.

The session will be held on Wednesday 23rd September 2026 at 2:00 pm

We will be talking about:

• The Technical Architect role and the team
• Social Security Scotland
• Our recruitment process
• Q&A with the hiring manager

Please join us using the link below:

Join The Meeting Now

Expected Timeline (subject to change)
Sift – week commencing 12th October 2026
Interview – week commencing 26th October 2026
Location – In Person in either Dundee or Glasgow

Reserve List
In the event that there are more successful candidates than posts available, a reserve list will be kept for up to 12 months.

About Us
Social Security Scotland is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government. Our benefits help people from all walks of life in Scotland. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles. We are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that is representative of the clients we serve. Find more about us here.

We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer.

As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules.

GDD Pay Supplement
This post is part of the Government Digital and Data (GDD) profession and currently attracts a £4000 annual GDD pay supplement, which is paid monthly. Pay supplements are reviewed regularly.

Working Pattern
Our standard hours are 35 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options, depending on the needs of the role. We embrace a hybrid working style where all colleagues will spend time in either our Glasgow or Dundee offices. There is an expectation of a minimum 2 days per week in your assigned location, which will be either Glasgow or Dundee. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.

Security checks
Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions).

You can find out more about BPSS on the UK Government website, or read about the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide.

Equality Statement
Social Security Scotland are committed to equality and inclusion, and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.

Social Security Scotland are a Disability Confident Employer. We will consider and implement any reasonable adjustments you may require throughout the recruitment process and during the course of your employment, should you be successful in securing a post. If you feel you may require assistance with any part of our recruitment process, please contact us at [email protected].

Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.

Right to Work in the UK
Social Security Scotland is an approved sponsor under the UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Please note that UK immigration guidance, including skill and salary thresholds and eligible occupations, is reviewed regularly and subject to change. If you require visa sponsorship, you should check the latest criteria to confirm whether this role meets current requirements before applying. You can find further advice at Skilled Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UK

Further Information
Social Security Scotland’s recruitment processes are underpinned by the recruitment principles of the Civil Service Commissioner, which outline that selection for appointment be made on merit on the basis of fair and open competition - Recruitment - Civil Service Commission

If you feel at any time your application has not been treated in accordance with the values in the Civil Service Code and/or if you feel the recruitment has been conducted in such a way that conflicts with the Civil Service Commissioner’s Recruitment Principles, you can make a complaint, by contacting Social Security Scotland at [email protected] in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commissioner.

The successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 3 years unless successful in gaining promotion to a higher Band or Grade.

Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website.

Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.

If you experience any difficulties accessing our website or completing the online application form, please contact the Resourcing Team via [email protected]

Apply before 23:55 pm on 8th October 2026

Contact Name - Resourcing Team
Contact Email - [email protected]