At a Glance
- Tasks: Join us as a Technical Architect, shaping innovative tech solutions and enterprise architecture.
- Company: The FCA ensures fair financial markets in the UK, regulating 45,000 firms.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, 28 days holiday, private healthcare, and a competitive pension scheme.
- Why this job: Be part of impactful projects in Data, AI, and Operations while fostering continuous learning.
- Qualifications: Experience in solution architecture and stakeholder engagement is essential; relevant degrees are a plus.
- Other info: We value diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds, especially underrepresented groups.
The predicted salary is between 72100 - 117100 £ per year.
Technical Architect
Division – Digital, Technology & Innovation (DTI)
Department – Strategy & Architecture (S&A) team within the Technology Directorate
Salary – National (Edinburgh and Leeds) ranging from £72,100 to £117,100 and London £79,300 to £128,800 pro rata (salary offered will be based on skills and experience)
About the FCA
The FCA regulates the conduct of 45,000 firms in the UK to ensure our financial markets are honest, fair and competitive. Follow this link to find out more About the FCA .
What will you be doing?
S&A’s purpose is to help translate the FCA vision and objectives into a coherent strategy ensuring we have the right enterprise architecture to support delivery – weensure we have the right roadmap, with the right solutions and best investment case.
The DTI & Operations Squad, within S&A’s Architecture Consultancy team, provides architecture capability support to the business area and architecture support to the wider portfolio – in total the Squad supports DTI, Operations, and Risk & Compliance Oversight divisions plus the Payment Systems Regulator, our Chief Executive Office, and the Bank of England.
Our Technical Architects play a valued role within the Squad, supporting the successful delivery of the DTI & OPS portfolio. You will contribute to the creation of Domain Roadmaps and provide architectural support aligned with Enterprise Architecture principles and enterprise-wide blueprints. You will:
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Collaborate on the co-creation and adoption of inclusive technology design standards that support user-friendly, integrated solutions across a range of platforms and systems.
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Contribute to the design and assessment of reliable software and hardware architectures, considering risk, cost, and alignment with evolving business needs
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Strengthen solution outcomes by offering supportive architectural input and ensuring clear traceability from concept to implementation
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Prepare clear, structured architectural materials—such as domain roadmaps, integration approaches, and design principles—that encourage scalable growth and innovation
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Help uphold architectural governance practices that promote consistency, creativity, and accountability across teams
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Foster a culture of learning and continuous improvement by enhancing architectural approaches and supporting the development of peers within the architecture community
What you will get from the role
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Gain hands-on experience across a diverse portfolio of projects in Data, AI, and Operations, expanding your expertise in multiple areas
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Contribute to impactful initiatives that harness innovative technologies to solve complex, enterprise-level challenges
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Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, enriching your knowledge and enhancing your strategic thinking
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Benefit from a strong commitment to your professional growth, with access to certifications, workshops, and industry events, all within a culture that champions continuous learning and supports your career development
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Join an inclusive, forward-thinking team that values collaboration, adaptability, and long-term success for all its members
Which skills are required?
We are a Disability Confident Employer; therefore, disabled people or individuals with long-term conditions who best meet the minimum criteria for a role will go through to the next stage of the recruitment process (to learn more about the Disability Confident Scheme Click Here ).
Minimum
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Experience working as a Solution Architect including experience applying recognised frameworks and tools to co-create resilient technical designs, support evolving architecture roadmaps, and contributing to the delivery of complex, multi-tier systems
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Experienced in stakeholder engagement and building trusted relationships with internal and external partners, encouraging collaborative discussions, aligning cross-functional teams, and communicating architectural decisions with clarity to support shared strategic outcomes
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Proven experience designing and delivering scalable, reliable, and secure platforms for public-facing applications, with a focus on inclusive design, modern architecture practices, and continuous improvement
Essential
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You understand architectural concepts, methodologies and mapping approaches and have proficient knowledge of ArchiMate and UML
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You have solution architecture skills (i.e. Data, Application, and Infrastructure)
Desirable
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Holds a degree, Enterprise and Solution Architecture or a related IT discipline
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Certified in TOGAF, with experience supporting the alignment of business goals and technical architecture through thoughtful, strategic design
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Brings a collaborative understanding of platform technologies such as Salesforce, ERP, records management, content management, security, and cloud solutions
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Experienced in designing AI solutions with a focus on scalability, performance optimisation, model integration, and secure practices
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Comfortable working with cloud platforms, data pipelines, and AI frameworks, with a solid appreciation of system architecture principles
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Applies architectural approaches including ArchiMate and UML across Data, Application, and Infrastructure domains in a consistent and inclusive manner
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Able to create clear, high-quality documentation and architectural outputs in dynamic or evolving environments, adapting effectively while maintaining standards
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Communicates with clarity and empathy, building alignment with a wide range of stakeholders and contributing to shared architectural direction within the FCA
Our Values & Diversity
We are proud to be an inclusive employer, and our ambition is to cultivate a culture for all employees that respects their individual strengths, views, and experiences. We believe that our differences and similarities enable us to be a better organisation – one that makes better decisions, drives innovation, and delivers better regulation.
Within the workplace you will have access to various employee resource groups which aim to promote and achieve a healthy work / life balance and support our diversity ambitions.
Did you know? 50% of our Executive Committee were the first in their family to attend university.
The FCA is committed to achieving greater diversity across all levels of the organisation. Given this, we particularly welcome applications from women, minority ethnic, disabled, and neurodivergent candidates for our Technical Architect role.
Benefits of working at the FCA
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28 days holiday per year plus bank holidays
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Hybrid working (work from home up to 60% of your time)
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Private healthcare with Bupa
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A non-contributory Pension of at least 8% of basic salary each month (there are several contribution levels that increase depending on your age – up to 12% a month once you reach age 35)
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Life assurance of eight times your basic salary
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Income protection
We also have a competitive flexible benefits scheme which gives you the opportunity to create a personalised benefits package, tailored to suit your lifestyle.
We welcome applications from candidates who are looking for flexible arrangements. Many of our staff work flexibly including working part-time, staggered hours, and job shares. We can’t promise to give you exactly what you want but we can explore what might work best for both sides.
Follow this link to see what life is like at the FCA – Life at the FCA
Application Support
We are dedicated to removing barriers and ensuring our application process is accessible to everyone. We offer a range of adjustments to make your application experience as comfortable and straightforward as possible.
If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition requiring changes to the recruitment process, please contact your recruiter using the details below and they will be happy to discuss this further with you.
Useful Information and Timeline
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This role is graded as: Technical Specialist – Regulatory
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When submitting your application, please tailor your CV to highlight how you meet the minimum and essential requirements above
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Advert Closing Date:Midnight 18 July (please submit your application no later than 11.59pm on 17 July)
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CV Review/Shortlist: 21 July
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First Stage Interview: w/c 28 July
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Final Interview: 11 to 13 August
Your Recruiter will discuss the process in detail with you during screening for the role, therefore, please make them aware if you are going to be unavailable for any date during this time.
Got a question?
If you are interested in learning more about the role, please contactSteve Christopher on
Applications must be submitted through our online portal. Applications sent via email will not be accepted
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Technical Architect employer: Financial Conduct Authority
Contact Detail:
Financial Conduct Authority Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Technical Architect
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the FCA's mission and values. Understanding their commitment to fairness and innovation will help you align your responses during interviews, showcasing how your experience as a Technical Architect can contribute to their goals.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees of the FCA, especially those in the Strategy & Architecture team. Engaging in conversations about their experiences can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations for the Technical Architect role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific architectural frameworks and methodologies you've used in past projects. The FCA values experience with ArchiMate and UML, so be ready to explain how you've applied these tools to create resilient technical designs.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your collaborative skills by preparing examples of how you've successfully engaged stakeholders in previous roles. The ability to build trusted relationships and communicate architectural decisions clearly is crucial for this position.
We think you need these skills to ace Technical Architect
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure to customise your CV to highlight how your experience aligns with the minimum and essential requirements listed in the job description. Focus on your skills in solution architecture, stakeholder engagement, and any relevant frameworks you've worked with.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: Write a compelling cover letter that showcases your passion for the role and the FCA's mission. Use specific examples from your past experiences to demonstrate how you can contribute to the team and support the FCA's objectives.
Highlight Relevant Skills: In your application, emphasise your understanding of architectural concepts, methodologies, and tools like ArchiMate and UML. Mention any certifications you hold, such as TOGAF, and your experience with cloud platforms and AI solutions.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application materials for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial for a Technical Architect role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Financial Conduct Authority
✨Understand the Role and Responsibilities
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the role of a Technical Architect as outlined in the job description. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities, such as collaborating on technology design standards and preparing architectural materials. This will help you articulate how your experience aligns with their needs.
✨Showcase Your Technical Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience with architectural concepts, methodologies, and tools like ArchiMate and UML. Highlight specific projects where you've designed scalable and secure platforms, especially those that demonstrate your ability to work with cloud technologies and AI solutions.
✨Demonstrate Stakeholder Engagement
The FCA values collaboration and communication. Prepare examples of how you've successfully engaged with stakeholders in previous roles. Discuss how you built trusted relationships and facilitated discussions that led to shared strategic outcomes, as this is crucial for the Technical Architect position.
✨Prepare Questions About Company Culture
The FCA prides itself on being an inclusive employer. Prepare thoughtful questions about their culture, diversity initiatives, and professional development opportunities. This shows your interest in not just the role, but also in contributing positively to their workplace environment.