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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 enterprise-scale IT is essential.
- 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 are 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.
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.
Details:
- 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 employer: DWP Digital
Contact Detail:
DWP Digital Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Security Architect
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with folks in the industry! Attend meetups, webinars, or even online forums. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Senior Security Architect role.
✨Show Off Your Skills
Don’t just talk about your experience; demonstrate it! Create a portfolio showcasing your security architecture projects or write articles on platforms like LinkedIn. This will help us see your expertise in action.
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for those interviews by brushing up on common security scenarios and solutions. Practice articulating your thought process clearly, as we want to see how you tackle real-world challenges in security architecture.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Make sure to apply through our website for the best chance at getting noticed. We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining DWP and contributing to our mission of secure digital services.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Security Architect
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Security Architect role. Highlight your relevant experience in security architecture, cloud security, and any specific tools or technologies mentioned in the job description. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about security architecture and how you can contribute to DWP's mission. Be sure to mention any unique experiences that set you apart from other candidates. We love a good story!
Showcase Your Technical Skills: In your application, don't forget to showcase your technical skills, especially those related to network security, encryption, and threat analysis. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so make it clear how your expertise will benefit our teams.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. It’s straightforward, and you'll find all the details you need to complete your application. Plus, it helps us keep everything organised and efficient!
How to prepare for a job interview at DWP Digital
✨Know Your Security Fundamentals
Make sure you brush up on your security architecture design and modelling techniques. Be ready to discuss specific tools and standards you've used in previous roles, especially in enterprise-scale IT environments. This will show that you have the hands-on experience needed for the role.
✨Demonstrate Your Cloud Security Knowledge
Since the role involves application and cloud security, be prepared to talk about your experience with cloud-native technologies like Docker and Kubernetes. Highlight any CI/CD tooling you've worked with, such as Jenkins or GitLab, to showcase your modern approach to security.
✨Showcase Your Threat Analysis Skills
Familiarise yourself with threat analysis and mitigation strategies. Be ready to discuss how you've used tools like SIEM, IDS/IPS, and endpoint detection systems in past projects. This will demonstrate your ability to proactively manage security risks.
✨Engage with the Role's Impact
Understand the broader impact of the Senior Security Architect role at DWP. Be prepared to discuss how your architectural leadership can influence secure access and trust across public services. Showing that you grasp the significance of the role will set you apart from other candidates.