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- Tasks: Lead architectural governance and oversee complex digital programmes impacting millions across the UK.
- Company: Join DVLA, a mission-driven agency transforming digital services for drivers and vehicles.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous pension contributions, flexible working, and excellent career development opportunities.
- Other info: Engage in a vibrant culture promoting inclusion, diversity, and work-life balance.
- Why this job: Shape the future of national digital services while advancing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Proven experience as a Technical Architect with strong stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 69501 - 98061 £ per year.
Become part of a mission-driven digital team helping to build secure, resilient services used by millions across the UK. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) are seeking a Principal Technical Architect with strong architectural governance experience, the ability to lead across complex multi-team programmes and the confidence to operate at both strategic and delivery levels.
Permanent role, hybrid working from Swansea (60% office-based), salary of up to £98,061 (inc allowances, based on skills and experience) plus 29% employer pension contribution and excellent Civil Service benefits.
About the role:
DVLA delivers national-scale digital services that enable the safe and lawful use of vehicles across the UK, supporting millions of drivers and vehicles every year. With a significant increase in concurrent transformation programmes including legislative change, service improvement, and new digital initiatives - DVLA is strengthening its architecture leadership capability to ensure coherence, governance and long-term value.
As a Principal Technical Architect, you will provide end-to-end architectural ownership across a major programme, ensuring that solutions delivered across multiple products and teams align to agreed principles, standards and strategic direction. You will act as the architectural authority within the programme, bridging technical architecture, delivery and programme-level decision-making.
As a Principal Technical Architect, you will:
- Provide end-to-end architectural oversight across a large, complex programme spanning multiple delivery teams
- Lead and evolve architectural governance, ensuring consistency, quality and alignment with DVLA standards
- Own and produce technical impact assessments, translating business change into architectural implications and options
- Develop and maintain architectural roadmaps across short-, medium- and long-term horizons
- Oversee and assure architectural outputs from Lead Technical Architects, providing coaching and direction
- Work closely with programme and senior stakeholders, representing architecture at boards and planning forums
- Identify risks, dependencies and cross-domain impacts early and drive resolution
Essential skills for the Principal Technical Architect include:
- Proven experience operating as a Technical Architect or Lead Architect across multiple teams or programmes
- Strong understanding of architectural governance and the ability to design and improve governance processes
- Excellent stakeholder management skills, including engagement with senior leadership
- Broad technical knowledge across systems, integrations and cloud platforms
- Ability to translate complex technical concepts into clear, business-focused language
- Demonstrable ownership of end-to-end architectural delivery in complex, ambiguous environments
Desirable skills for the Principal Technical Architect include:
- Experience working in government or other regulated environments
- Exposure to large-scale digital transformation programmes
- Experience with cloud platforms such as AWS or Azure
- Background in software engineering or hands-on technical delivery
- Experience working with emerging technologies, including AI
Benefits:
Alongside your salary of £69,501 - £98,061, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency contributes £20,134 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits:
- Best in class learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues
- Generous employer contribution of 28.9%, depending on chosen pension scheme
- Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance
- Digital communities with clear career frameworks
- On-site gym plus personal training available (membership applies)
- On-site nursery, restaurants and coffee bar
- 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays), increasing by 1 each year (up to 30) & 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King's birthday
- 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff
- Free parking
Why Join?
This is a high-impact role with senior visibility, offering the opportunity to shape architecture across nationally significant digital programmes. You will influence how DVLA delivers and governs technology at scale, while developing your own career within one of the UK's largest and most complex digital organisations.
Locations
Principal Technical Architect in Gorseinon, Swansea employer: Inspire People
Contact Detail:
Inspire People Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Principal Technical Architect in Gorseinon, Swansea
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the DVLA team! Join the familiarisation session on 14th May. It’s a great chance to ask questions and show your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it helps us understand the culture and what they’re really looking for.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former DVLA employees on LinkedIn. A little insider info can go a long way in helping us tailor our approach and stand out during interviews.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky interview questions! Brush up on your architectural governance knowledge and be ready to discuss how you’ve led complex programmes before. We want to showcase our experience confidently.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we can keep track of our progress and stay updated on any new opportunities that pop up.
We think you need these skills to ace Principal Technical Architect in Gorseinon, Swansea
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience that aligns with the Principal Technical Architect role. We want to see how your skills in architectural governance and multi-team leadership shine through!
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of your past successes. We love seeing quantifiable results, so if you’ve led a successful project or improved a process, let us know!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to explain complex technical concepts, as we appreciate candidates who can bridge the gap between tech and business.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s the easiest way for us to track your application and ensure it reaches the right people!
How to prepare for a job interview at Inspire People
✨Know Your Architecture Inside Out
As a Principal Technical Architect, you’ll need to demonstrate a deep understanding of architectural governance and delivery. Brush up on your knowledge of architectural principles, standards, and how they apply to complex programmes. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experiences where you successfully led architectural initiatives.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Strong stakeholder management skills are essential for this role. Before the interview, think about how you’ve engaged with senior leadership in previous roles. Prepare to share stories that highlight your ability to communicate complex technical concepts in a business-friendly manner, ensuring everyone is on the same page.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
The DVLA is looking for someone who can identify risks and dependencies early. Prepare to discuss scenarios where you’ve navigated complex challenges in architectural delivery. Think about how you resolved issues and drove solutions across multiple teams, as this will show your capability to operate at both strategic and delivery levels.
✨Familiarise Yourself with DVLA's Digital Services
Understanding the DVLA’s mission and the digital services they provide is crucial. Research their current projects and any recent news related to their digital transformation initiatives. This will not only help you answer questions more effectively but also demonstrate your genuine interest in the role and the organisation.