At a Glance
- Tasks: Design secure architectures and lead threat mitigation for large-scale digital services.
- Company: Department for Work and Pensions, tackling unique security challenges.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and a chance to make a real impact.
- Other info: Opportunities for growth in a complex organisation with diverse backgrounds welcomed.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and secure services used by millions against cyber threats.
- Qualifications: Experience in security architecture and a passion for mentoring others.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
These roles may be located in one of the following locations: Birmingham, Blackpool, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Sheffield. Please note that for candidates requesting to work in Newcastle, this role will be based at Benton Park View from September 2025, and then at 1 Pilgrim Place in Newcastle city centre by the end of 2027.
Job summary: This role requires you to pass Security Check clearance. Do you want to solve large-scale security challenges, designing resilient architectures, leading threat mitigation, and embedding security across modern cloud-native services?
We are looking for a Senior Security Architect who:
- Has proven experience as a Security Architect within complex, large-scale digital or government environments.
- Has a strong understanding of secure-by-design principles, enterprise architecture and cloud-native security.
- Has experience working in agile, multidisciplinary teams delivering user-centric services.
- Has the ability to influence senior stakeholders and communicate complex security concepts clearly.
- Can demonstrate experience of shaping architecture standards, roadmaps and governance frameworks.
- Has a passion for mentoring others and developing organisational capability.
As our Security Architect, you will use your technical knowledge, architecture design knowledge and development skills to help secure services used by millions of people against cyber threats. DWP is a huge and complex organisation with unique architectural and security challenges.
The Security Architect will provide guidance and advice ranging from scoping IT Health Checks, providing guidance in risk assessment, providing security guidance, checking the cloud posture management platform for vulnerabilities. Projects may involve online identity and verification, telephone-based identity and verification.
DWP is looking to provide a strategic platform within the identity and trust team that will allow secure and safe communication for its users with its services. The team is made up of a number of architects, so relationships will need to be built with other teams, the security community and the design authority.
Key responsibilities include:
- Leading the design and delivery of secure architectures, ensuring security controls are embedded from the outset of product development.
- Developing and recommending secure solution options during discovery and inception to inform design decisions.
- Collaborating with Solution Architects and agile teams to produce secure, value-for-money designs aligned to user needs.
- Creating clear security architecture artefacts and documentation to support governance and enable secure engineering practices.
- Ensuring all designs comply with the Digital Blueprint, Enterprise Architecture standards, and agreed product roadmaps.
- Providing expert security guidance across the full product lifecycle, including assurance activities such as control self-assessments.
- Owning and evolving security product roadmaps, contributing to Digital Blueprint improvements and reusable security patterns.
- Building organisational security capability through mentoring, sharing best practice, and supporting the growth of the Architecture community.
If you would like to learn more about the role, please contact.
Senior Security Architect - Department for Work and Pensions - G7 employer: Government Digital & Data
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where you can tackle significant security challenges while contributing to services that impact millions. With a strong focus on employee development, mentorship opportunities, and a collaborative culture, DWP fosters a sense of purpose and community among its staff. Located in vibrant cities such as Birmingham, Manchester, and Newcastle, employees enjoy the benefits of working in diverse urban settings while being part of a forward-thinking organisation committed to innovation and security excellence.
Contact Details:
Government Digital & Data Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Security Architect - Department for Work and Pensions - G7
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees at DWP on LinkedIn or other platforms. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for landing the Senior Security Architect role. Personal connections can give you insights that job descriptions just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your knowledge of secure-by-design principles and cloud-native security. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these in past roles. We want to see your passion for security and how you can influence stakeholders with your expertise.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your mentoring skills! Think of examples where you've helped others grow in their roles. DWP values building organisational capability, so highlight how you've contributed to team development in your previous positions.
✨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 the DWP team. Make sure your CV reflects your experience in agile, multidisciplinary teams and your ability to deliver user-centric services.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Security Architect - Department for Work and Pensions - G7
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your experience as a Security Architect. Focus on your skills in secure-by-design principles and cloud-native security, as these are key for the role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you're passionate about security architecture. Share specific examples of how you've influenced stakeholders or led teams in previous roles to show your fit for the position.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t forget to mention your technical knowledge and any relevant certifications like CISSP. We want to see how your expertise can help us tackle the unique security challenges at DWP.
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure you apply through our website. This way, we can easily track your application and get back to you quickly!
How to prepare for a job interview at Government Digital & Data
✨Know Your Security Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of secure-by-design principles and cloud-native security. Be ready to discuss how you've applied these concepts in previous roles, especially in complex environments like government or large-scale digital projects.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
Since this role involves working with agile teams and other architects, be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully collaborated in multidisciplinary settings. Highlight any experiences where you influenced stakeholders or communicated complex security concepts clearly.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect technical questions related to architecture standards, risk assessment, and security controls. Review common security challenges and solutions, and think about how you would approach designing secure architectures for user-centric services.
✨Demonstrate Your Mentoring Passion
This role values mentoring and developing organisational capability. Be ready to discuss your experiences in mentoring others, sharing best practices, and how you can contribute to building a strong security culture within the team.
