At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design of innovative AI solutions that deliver real value.
- Company: Join the Department for Business and Trade, a leader in emerging technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous pension, and flexible hybrid working options.
- Other info: Dynamic role with excellent career growth and learning opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact on the UK's economy while working with cutting-edge AI technologies.
- Qualifications: Strong technical architecture experience and knowledge of AI-enabled solutions required.
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) are seeking an AI-focused Technical Architect to lead the design of secure, scalable and reusable AI-enabled solutions. This is an opportunity to work at the forefront of emerging technology, helping DBT turn innovative ideas into practical services that deliver real value across the department.
Salary range: £67,867 to £81,793 plus excellent Civil Service benefits and 29% employer pension contribution. Flexible, hybrid working from London, Cardiff, Darlington, Edinburgh, Belfast, Birmingham or Salford.
About the role: DBT are seeking an AI-focused Technical Architect to lead the design of secure, scalable and reusable AI-enabled solutions. This role will focus on translating emerging AI capabilities into practical architectures, supporting rapid prototyping, validating concepts and helping successful ideas move from experimentation into production services. You will work closely with AI engineers, data specialists, cyber security colleagues, governance teams and wider multidisciplinary teams to assess feasibility, risk and value within a government environment. This is a strong opportunity for an architect who can balance innovation with assurance, security, data protection and long-term service design.
Responsibilities:
- Define and champion the technical strategy for services, ensuring alignment with user needs, business goals and DDaT standards.
- Lead technical specialists across multiple projects, solving complex architectural challenges and owning the technical design of services.
- Design and assure secure, open-source and user-centred systems, including integration, interoperability, cloud quality, security and performance.
- Provide technical governance, present designs to boards such as the Technical Design Authority, and collaborate with architects across DBT to ensure alignment.
- Horizon scan for emerging technologies, contribute to the architecture community, mentor peers and support capability development within the profession.
Essential skills:
- Core Technical Architecture skills: Strong technical architecture experience, including designing secure, scalable and user-centred digital services.
- Experience producing high-level designs, translating them into practical delivery plans and taking them through governance or assurance boards.
- Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to work across agile, multidisciplinary teams.
- In addition to core Technical Architecture skills, you should also have experience of the following:
- Designing or shaping AI-enabled solutions, prototypes or proof-of-concepts.
- Working with LLMs, OpenAI, Microsoft AI tools or similar AI technologies.
- Understanding AI governance, cyber security, data protection, data sovereignty and production-readiness considerations.
Benefits:
- Civil Service pension with employer contribution of 28.97%
- Learning and development tailored to your role with expensed accreditations and study time aside
- Flexible, hybrid working environment with options like condensed hours
- Culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- Annual leave starting at 25 days rising with each year of service
- Three paid volunteering days a year
- Employee benefits programme including cycle to work scheme and season ticket loans
- Bonus and Discount Schemes: In year rewards and vouchers as well as My lifestyle discounts
- Family friendly policies including maternity, adoption or shared parental leave
- Job satisfaction: making a positive contribution to the UK's economy
Additional information: Salary is dependent on location and technical skills as assessed at interview. London based range: £71,590 to £85,413. National range: £67,867 to £81,793. Hybrid working includes 40% in-office working/month (typically 2 days/week), hours are flexible and condensed hours are an option. Office locations are: London, Cardiff, Darlington, Edinburgh, Belfast, Birmingham or Salford. Please apply with a CV that shows evidence against the listed 'Essential criteria' above. DBT does not hold a UK Visa.
AI Technical Architect employer: Inspire People
The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation meets public service. With a strong commitment to employee development, flexible hybrid working options across multiple UK locations, and a comprehensive benefits package including a generous pension contribution, DBT fosters a culture of inclusion and collaboration. Join us to make a meaningful impact while advancing your career in the exciting field of AI technology.
