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- Tasks: Lead security architecture for identity verification projects that protect millions of citizens.
- Company: Join DWP, the UK's largest government department, focused on digital innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous pension contributions, and flexible working hours.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on public services while shaping secure digital solutions.
- Qualifications: Experience in security architecture and strong knowledge of network and cloud security.
- Other info: Be part of an award-winning culture with excellent career growth opportunities.
The predicted salary is between 57946 - 83917 £ per year.
Pay of up to £83,917. Benefits include 28.97% employer pension contributions, hybrid working, flexible hours, and great work-life balance. At DWP we're building secure, reliable and user-centred digital services that millions of people depend on every day. Our teams are developing strategic platforms that will enable safe, secure and seamless communication between our citizens and the services they rely on.
We're looking for a Senior Security Architect to provide specialist security leadership, architectural direction and hands-on guidance across a range of identity verification projects. This is a high-impact role where your expertise will directly shape how DWP protects citizens, services and data at a national scale. We have unique architectural and security challenges that you simply won't find in other roles.
DWP. Digital with Purpose. We are looking for a Senior Security Architect to join our community of tech experts in DWP Digital. We're using fresh ideas and leading-edge tech to build and maintain digital solutions that will be used by nearly every person in the UK, every day and at key moments in their lives. DWP is the UK's largest government department. We help people into work, and make payments worth over £195bn a year to support and empower millions of people. The scale of what we do is extraordinary, and our purpose is unique. We'd love you to join us.
What skills, knowledge and experience will you need?
- Security architecture design and modelling techniques, tools and standards.
- Application and Cloud Security across complex environments.
- Experience in enterprise-scale IT, in at least one recent Security Architect role within a large, complex national or multi-national organisation.
- Network Security; Strong understanding of network protocols (e.g. TCP/IP, BGP, OSPF) and experience securing routers, switches, firewalls and load balancers.
- Threat analysis and mitigation using tooling such as SIEM, IDS/IPS, and endpoint detection systems.
- Encryption & Cryptography expertise (e.g. SSL/TLS, IPsec, Kerberos, VPNs, PKI) including securing data in transit and at rest.
- Strong knowledge of AuthN/AuthZ technologies such as OIDC, OAuth, JWT and SAML.
- Knowledge of cloud-native technologies (e.g. Docker, Kubernetes, Istio) and CI/CD tooling (e.g. Jenkins, GitLab).
- A CISSP certification or Masters in Information Security would be nice to have but not essential.
You and your role
In this role you'll help shape the security foundations which enable millions of people to safely authenticate their identities and access DWP's services. Your architectural leadership will influence long-term solutions, strengthening trust and secure access in DWP and across public services in the UK. You'll also play a key role in improving how security is understood and applied across teams - driving secure-by-default thinking, refining patterns and helping colleagues make confident, informed decisions that lead to more robust and reliable services.
Come and join a community that's serious about modern ways of working and professional growth, and be part of a journey that will help secure the future of digital public services.
Details. Wages. Perks.
Location: You'll join us in one of our brilliant digital hubs in Blackpool, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle or Sheffield, whichever is most convenient for you. Hybrid Working: We work a hybrid model - you'll spend some time working at home and some time collaborating face to face in a hub. Pay: We offer pay up to £83,917. That’s £57,946 salary plus a Government Digital and Data Allowance of up to £25,971 subject to our assessment of your capability at interview. Pension: You'll get a brilliant civil service pension with employer contributions worth 28.97%, worth up to £16,786 per year. Holidays: A generous leave package starting at 26 days rising to 31 days over time. You can also take up to 3 extra days off a month on flexi-time. You'll also get all the usual public holidays.
We have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:
- Flexible working including flexible hours and flex-friendly policies
- Time off volunteering and charitable giving
- Bring your authentic self to work with 'I Can Be Me in DWP'
- Discounts and savings on shopping, fun days out and more
- Interest-free loans to buy a bike or a season ticket, so it's even easier for you to get to work and start making a difference
- Sports and social activities
- Professional development, coaching, mentoring and career progression opportunities.
And we have an award-winning environment and culture: DWP have been recognised as 2024 Diversity Employer of the Year at the Computing Women in Tech Excellence awards, Diverse and Inclusive Leadership at Digital Leaders Awards 2024, Commended as Best Place to Work in Digital category in the Computing Digital Technology Leaders awards 2025, Recognised as one of the Best Public Sector Employers at 2025 Women In Tech Employer Awards.
Process
We know your time is valuable so our application and selection process is just two stages: Apply: complete your application on Civil Service Jobs. There'll be full instructions when you click through. Interview: a two stage interview online. Click APPLY for more information and to start your application.
Senior Security Architect in Birmingham employer: DWP Digital
Contact Detail:
DWP Digital Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Security Architect in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at DWP on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your security architecture knowledge. Be ready to discuss real-world scenarios where you've tackled security challenges. Show them you're not just book-smart but also street-smart!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your soft skills! Communication is key in this role. Make sure you can explain complex security concepts in simple terms. This will show that you can lead and guide teams effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our community at DWP Digital.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Security Architect in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experience align with the Senior Security Architect role. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Expertise: Don’t hold back on showcasing your security architecture knowledge! Share specific examples of past projects or challenges you've tackled, especially those related to identity verification or cloud security, as these are key areas for us.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your experience and how it relates to the role. Avoid jargon unless it's relevant!
Apply Through Our Website: Remember to apply through our website for a smoother process! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly and is considered promptly. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at DWP Digital
✨Know Your Security Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your security architecture design and modelling techniques. Be ready to discuss your experience with application and cloud security, as well as network protocols like TCP/IP and BGP. The more specific examples you can provide from your past roles, the better!
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
DWP is looking for someone who can tackle unique architectural and security challenges. Prepare to share how you've approached threat analysis and mitigation in previous positions. Use real-life scenarios to demonstrate your thought process and decision-making skills.
✨Familiarise Yourself with DWP's Mission
Understand DWP's purpose and how your role as a Senior Security Architect fits into their mission of providing secure digital services. This will not only help you answer questions but also show your genuine interest in contributing to their goals.
✨Prepare Questions to Ask
Interviews are a two-way street! Think of insightful questions to ask about the team dynamics, ongoing projects, or how DWP fosters professional growth. This shows you're engaged and serious about the role, plus it helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.
