Lead Technical Architect - Infrastructure & Networks

At FCDO Services we protect the UK’s interests at home and overseas. We design and construct secure government buildings and courier diplomatic packages worldwide, safeguard government tech and a whole lot more. Our work is as varied and vital as it gets, but we never lose sight of our people. Their skills, aspirations and growth mean as much as the global mission we’re on. In our world, it all matters., Our Technology and Operations team is at the forefront of digital solutions and services for FCDO and Government. They provide best in-class solutions for our clients, helping to shape and support a data driven future for UK government. Whether it’s creating bespoke, secure software, offering programme and application support or moving an entire embassy’s servers to a Cloud platform. No matter the task, they are on hand to support. Join them in this important role and you’ll have the opportunity to lead them on the next stage of our exciting journey.

Providing innovation to government partners

Delivering best-in-class solutions

Working at the cutting-edge of technology

It all matters

Use all your specialist technical skills as you help to protect the UK’s interests

When you join us in this new role, you’ll have the vital task of delivering infrastructure and network architecture across a range of domains, working on services including automation, monitoring, security and identity management. Working within the Chief Technical Officer’s Office, the role plays a key part in coordinating resources to support project delivery and operational teams, contributing to governance, technical and operational activities, and helping to shape and manage enterprise architecture across FCDO Services. You'll also develop robust, secure and cost-effective technical designs that align with our strategic objectives and enterprise architecture, provide expert guidance and technical leadership within the Architecture and Delivery teams, and ensure the solutions delivered are scalable, resilient, and meet business and user needs.

You’ll also take on a broad range of responsibilities, including contributing to the Technical Design Authority by reviewing infrastructure and network proposals and influencing the organisation’s strategic direction for infrastructure and networking. Other aspects of the role include developing technical roadmaps aligned with technological trends and organisational objectives, maintaining accurate architecture documentation, evaluating emerging technologies, establishing infrastructure and network architecture standards that drive quality, managing a team of technical architects, providing expert guidance to operational teams, mentoring less experienced colleagues, and contributing to design and delivery forums.

Develop your career as you help to keep the country safe and secure, Your CV and personal statement will not form part of the assessment they will provide an insight into your work history and experience.

Your CV should include:

• no personal identifying details
• career history with key responsibilities
• achievements
• qualifications

Your personal statement should outline your interest in the role.

Candidates will only be sifted on answers provided to the technical/ job specific questions which are outlined in the application form.

Those that are successful will be invited to a Face to face interview.

At the interview you will be asked a blend of questions on technical/job specific skills and behaviours.

Candidates who are judged to be close to meeting the criteria may be considered for other positions in FCDO Services which may be at a lower grade, but have a potential skills match.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting .

See our vetting charter . People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

To be a success in this busy, fast-paced role you should have well developed experience of delivering secure, complex infrastructure and network solutions that align with business and security objectives, and be skilled at incorporating business continuity, disaster recovery and resilience solutions. When it comes to qualifications you should have a degree or equivalent experience in Computer Science or Information Technology, possess professional level certifications, and hold or be willing to work towards a qualification such as TOGAF or ITIL.

Capable of translating business and security requirements into secure, efficient and cost-effective designs, you should also have experience of using the TOGAF framework to review and assure complex solutions, and produce concise and high quality high and low-level designs.

Your knowledge of Azure, M365 and AWS platforms will allow you to architect and govern secure, scalable infrastructures across private, public and hybrid platforms, and you should also have good knowledge of NCSC, GDS and UK Government security frameworks, including Secure by Design, Cloud Security Principles, Government Functional Standards and the Technology Code of Practice. Your excellent communication and interpersonal skills will make you an inspirational coach and manager of our technical architects and specialists, while a track record of deputising for senior technology leaders and engaging with stakeholders and governance forums to provide clear, evidence-based technical advice would be desirable., * Proven experience designing and delivering secure, complex infrastructure and network solutions aligned with business and security objectives. Incorporating business continuity, disaster recovery, and resilience solutions.

• Experience leading and line managing technical specialists, providing direction and development to build capability and maintain delivery standards.
• Degree or equivalent experience in Computer Science or Information Technology.
• Holds or is willing to work towards recognised qualifications such as TOGAF, ITIL, or equivalent experience.
• Holds professional level certifications such as Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate, AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Professional, VMware Certified Advanced Professional (VCAP), Microsoft Certified: Microsoft 365 Administrator Expert, or equivalent experience
• Translate business/security requirements into secure, efficient, and cost-effective designs.
• Experience in reviewing and assuring complex solutions and authored concise and high quality high and low-level designs (conceptual, logical, and physical architecture layers) using the TOGAF framework.
• Skilled in architecting & governing secure, scalable cloud infrastructure across private & hybrid platforms, with strong knowledge of azure, M365 and AWS (IaaS PaaS SaaS). Experienced in greenfield & migrating existing systems for strategic benefits.
• Demonstrable expertise in infrastructure and/or networking automation, provisioning, and orchestration.
• Experience of line/matrix management of technical architects, providing direction, coaching, and professional development to build capability and technical excellence across architecture and delivery functions.
• Knowledge of NCSC, GDS, and UK Government security frameworks, including Secure by Design, Cloud Security Principles, Government Functional Standards, and the Technology Code of Practice.
• Knowledge of enterprise architecture frameworks, standards, and roadmaps that will align with strategic goals., Degree or equivalent experience in Computer Science or Information Technology

Holds or is willing to work towards recognised qualifications such as TOGAF, ITIL, or equivalent experience

Holds certifications such as MS Certified: Azure Administrator Associate, AWS Certified Solutions Architect– Professional, VMware Certified Advanced Professional (VCAP), MS Certified: Microsoft 365 Administrator Expert, or equivalent experience, * Managing a Quality Service

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Degree or equivalent experience in Computer Science or Information Technology
• Holds or is willing to work towards recognised qualifications such as TOGAF, ITIL, or equivalent experience
• Holds certifications such as MS Certified: Azure Administrator Associate, AWS Certified Solutions Architect– Professional, VMware Certified Advanced Professional (VCAP), MS Certified: Microsoft 365 Administrator Expert, or equivalent experience
• Proven experience designing and delivering secure, complex infrastructure and network solutions aligned with business and security objectives. Incorporating business continuity, disaster recovery, and resilience solutions.
• Experience leading and line managing technical specialists, providing direction and development to build capability and maintain delivery standards.
• Translate business/security requirements into secure, efficient, and cost-effective designs.
• Skilled in architecting & governing secure, scalable cloud infrastructure across private & hybrid platforms, with strong knowledge of azure, M365 and AWS (IaaS PaaS SaaS). Experienced in greenfield & migrating existing systems for strategic benefits.
• Knowledge of NCSC, GDS, and UK Government security frameworks, including Secure by Design, Cloud Security Principles, Government Functional Standards, and the Technology Code of Practice., This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills., Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Pulled from the full job description

• Annual leave
• Shuttle service provided
• Company pension
• On-site gym, But we’re always looking to improve – just like you. That’s why when you join us, expect to receive a competitive salary, generous holiday entitlement and a Civil Service Pension. Along with this, you’ll also have access to training and other development opportunities to help grow your career with us. Our offices have an on-site gym, nursery, café, and restaurant, and we offer interest-free loans on season tickets and bikes to help you get there. It's a great set of benefits made to support all you do, and all you need., Alongside your salary of £60,739, FCDO Services contributes £17,596 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides .
• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• Annual leave starting at 25 days.
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
• A Civil Service pension.
• Free shuttle bus available between central Milton Keynes and Hanslope Park
• 9 days per annum public and privilege days

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from FCDO Services, you can contact the Civil Service Commission. For more information, please visit their website.