Principal Technical Architect – Government Digital Service
Salary: £72,825 – £91,855 per year
London salary: £77,755 – £91,855
Bristol & Manchester: £72,825 – £86,925
Job Grade: Grade 6
Contract: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full-time, Flexible working, Compressed hours
Locations: Bristol, London and Manchester
Department: Government Digital Service (GDS) – Office of the Chief Technology Officer
Reference: 479828
Vacancies: 1
Application Deadline: Sunday, 27 September 2026 at 11:55 pm
Important: Visa Sponsorship
Visa sponsorship is NOT available for this vacancy.
DSIT states that although it holds a visa sponsorship licence, it can only be used for certain roles, and this campaign does not qualify for visa sponsorship.
Applicants should therefore already have the appropriate right to work in the UK.
About Government Digital Service
The Government Digital Service (GDS) is the digital centre of the UK Government. It sets, leads and delivers the vision for modern digital government, using technology and talent to improve public services.
GDS employs more than 1,000 people across the UK, with hubs in London, Manchester and Bristol.
About the Office of the Chief Technology Officer
The successful candidate will join the Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO), which is responsible for cross-government technology strategy, technical standards and shared architectural patterns.
The Opportunity
As a Principal Technical Architect, you will have the opportunity to work on major technology challenges and contribute to digital strategy at national scale.
You may work across a range of technical disciplines and help address complex digital challenges affecting government and public services.
Key Areas of Work
- Developing market-shaping technology materials.
- Supporting digital, data and technology learning and certification.
- Assessing public-sector technology maturity.
- Supporting the safe and responsible use of artificial intelligence.
- Supporting major commercial engagements.
- Providing technology policy advice.
- Advising government departments, international governments and suppliers.
- Responding to cross-government technology questions from ministers.
- Supporting parliamentary and committee hearings where required.
Principal Technical Architect Responsibilities
- Build a long-term strategy within your technical field or specialism.
- Identify and promote technology best practice across government.
- Deliver technology solutions that positively impact users.
- Develop strong professional networks and credibility.
- Improve communication and collaboration with stakeholders.
- Maximise the value government receives from technology vendors.
- Potentially manage and mentor a Lead Technical Architect.
Person Specification
Applicants should work in a technical profession aligned with Architecture, Data, IT Operations or Software Development, either within the Government Digital and Data Framework or a comparable large-scale digital-first environment.
Relevant industry certifications for your technical specialism are also expected.
Required Skills and Experience
You should have experience of:
- Setting a vision and leading digital and data change across complex organisations.
- Designing and implementing technology in high-risk and complex environments.
- Embedding technology solutions at scale.
- Engaging effectively with suppliers.
- Communicating with senior technical stakeholders, including CTOs and CDOs.
- Communicating with senior non-technical stakeholders, including ministers and permanent secretaries.
- Sharing knowledge and mentoring colleagues.
- Driving efficiency and reducing costs.
Government Digital and Data Technical Skills
Candidates will be assessed against:
- Architect for the whole context
- Making architectural decisions
- Strategy design
- Architecture communication
Civil Service Behaviours
Candidates will be assessed against:
- Seeing the big picture
- Communicating and influencing
- Making effective decisions
- Working together
Salary
The advertised salary is £72,825 – £91,855 per year, depending on location and capability.
London: £77,755 – £91,855
Bristol & Manchester: £72,825 – £86,925
Benefits
- Flexible hybrid working.
- Flexi-time.
- Part-time and compressed-hours options.
- Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%.
- 25 days’ annual leave, increasing to a maximum of 30 days.
- Additional day off for the King’s birthday.
- In-year performance bonus scheme.
- Career progression and coaching.
- Training budget.
- Employee assistance and wellbeing support.
- Death-in-service benefits.
- Cycle-to-work scheme.
- Employee discounts.
- 10 learning days per year.
- Up to five special leave days for volunteering.
- Access to Civil Service learning opportunities.
Working Pattern and Office Attendance
The department operates a discretionary hybrid-working policy.
The current expectation is for staff to attend the office or another non-home-based location 40–60% of the time over the accounting period.
Full-time home working is not normally offered.
Townhall Event
Date: Thursday, 17 September 2026
Time: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Platform: Microsoft Teams
The event will discuss the role and the wider work undertaken by OCTO.
Recruitment and Selection Process
The selection process includes:
- Initial application screening.
- CV submission.
- Three application questions.
- Video Submission Stage.
- 60-minute video interview, including a presentation.
Depending on application numbers, an additional telephone interview or technical exercise may be introduced.
Initial Sift Question
The initial sift may focus on:
Describe a time when you identified a strategic technology issue, risk or opportunity that had implications beyond your own team or programme. How did you track its development over time, assess its impact across the wider organisation, and influence others to act?
Applicants must provide truthful examples based on their own experience.
Recruitment Timeline
Townhall Event: 17 September 2026
Sift completion: 5 October 2026
Video Submission Stage: 6–13 October 2026
Panel interviews: Starting from 20 October 2026
A reserve list will be held for 12 months.
Security Clearance
This role requires Security Check (SC) clearance.
The vacancy states that SC clearance would normally require five years of UK residency during the previous five years. This is not an absolute requirement, but additional checks may be necessary.
The expected residency period may range from three to five years depending on individual circumstances.
Successful candidates must also complete the required criminal-record and baseline personnel security checks.
Nationality Requirements
The vacancy is broadly open to eligible:
- UK nationals.
- Republic of Ireland nationals.
- Commonwealth nationals with the right to work in the UK.
- Eligible EU, Swiss, Norwegian, Icelandic and Liechtenstein nationals and qualifying family members.
- Certain individuals with limited or indefinite leave to remain who meet the relevant EUSS criteria.
- Turkish nationals and certain qualifying family members who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service.
Artificial Intelligence and Applications
AI may be used to support an application, but all examples and statements must be truthful, accurate and based on the applicant’s own experience.
Applications may be withdrawn where plagiarism or misrepresentation is identified.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attracting, retaining and developing talent from across society and promotes equal opportunities.
Veterans and Prison Leavers
This vacancy forms part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.
The Civil Service also welcomes applications from eligible prison leavers.
Application Deadline
Sunday, 27 September 2026 at 11:55 pm
Applicants should submit their applications before the closing time.
Contact Information
Government Digital Service Recruitment
Email: gdsrecruitment@dsit.gov.uk
How to Apply
Job Title: Principal Technical Architect
Employer: Government Digital Service
Reference: 479828
Locations: Bristol, London or Manchester
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £72,825 – £91,855
Deadline: 27 September 2026 at 11:55 pm
Important: This vacancy does not offer visa sponsorship.
Final Reminder
This is a senior technology leadership opportunity within the Government Digital Service, offering the chance to influence technology strategy and help solve complex digital challenges across UK government.
Applicants who meet the requirements and already have the right to work in the UK should ensure their application is submitted before the deadline.