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- Tasks: Shape secure digital services that users can trust and operate effectively.
- Company: Join a leading organisation in defence and national security with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £85,000 plus benefits, including remote work options.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with strong career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by designing user-centred services in mission-critical environments.
- Qualifications: Experience in service design or human-centred design, especially in complex environments.
The predicted salary is between 85000 - 85000 £ per year.
Shape secure digital services that actually get used. This organisation delivers advanced, secure systems into some of the UK's most complex and mission‑critical defence and national security environments. As demand grows for assurance‑led, user‑centred digital services, we’re looking for a Service Design Architect (SC & DV‑Eligible) to ensure technical innovation translates into usable, scalable, real‑world outcomes. This is a senior, influential role sitting at the intersection of service design, architecture and engineering. Rather than focusing on governance in isolation, you’ll shape services that users can adopt, trust and operate—where security is mission‑critical, not optional.
The opportunity You’ll join an environment with strong existing architecture and engineering capability, where the focus is now on strengthening service usability, adoption and coherence across complex, secure programmes. The role offers the chance to:
- Influence both service design and operational deployment
- Embed usability and service thinking into secure technical solutions
- Shape how cyber and assurance are integrated into innovation and R&D
- Work on systems where delivery impact is real and tangible
What you’ll be doing
- Service & Solution Design
- Develop service blueprints and end‑to‑end user journeys
- Translate complex technical architectures into coherent operational services
- Ensure alignment between real user needs and service delivery
- Delivery & Collaboration
- Operate within multi‑disciplinary delivery teams
- Facilitate workshops, co‑design sessions and stakeholder engagement
- Support continuous improvement from discovery through to live services
- Innovation & R&D Integration
- Align R&D outputs to real‑world, deployable use cases
- Ensure innovation outcomes are usable, scalable and adoptable
- Bid & Client Support
- Contribute to bids with clear, user‑centred service narratives
- Strengthen value propositions through clarity of service outcomes
What we’re looking for
- Strong background in service design, service architecture or human‑centred design
- Experience working within complex or high‑assurance environments (government, defence, regulated or critical national infrastructure)
- Proven ability to translate complexity into usable, coherent services
- Confident facilitator with strong stakeholder engagement skills
- Comfortable operating across architecture, engineering and delivery disciplines
Security clearance
- Must be eligible for SC and DV clearance
- Active SC clearance is highly desirable
- Willingness to undergo further vetting as required for secure programmes
Desirable experience
- Exposure to government digital standards
- Background spanning both design and technical environments
- Experience within defence, security or national security contexts
What you’ll bring
- A balance of empathy and analytical thinking
- Strong facilitation and collaboration skills
- Confidence working at senior level across disciplines
- Adaptability in complex and evolving environments
Reasonable Adjustments Respect and equality are core values to us. We are proud of the diverse and inclusive community we have built, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and perspectives.
Service Design Architect (SC & DV‑Eligible) employer: Sanderson Government & Defence
Contact Detail:
Sanderson Government & Defence Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Design Architect (SC & DV‑Eligible)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the industry, attend relevant events, and connect with people on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to service design and architecture. We recommend doing mock interviews with friends or using online platforms to get comfortable with your responses.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills through a portfolio! Create a visual representation of your past projects, especially those that highlight your experience in complex environments. This will help you stand out and demonstrate your capabilities.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Service Design Architect (SC & DV‑Eligible)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in service design and architecture. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing relevant projects!
Showcase Your Usability Focus: Since this role is all about user-centred design, be sure to include examples of how you've embedded usability into your previous work. We love seeing how you’ve made complex systems more accessible and user-friendly.
Engage with Our Values: Familiarise yourself with our core values around respect and equality. In your application, reflect on how you embody these values and how they influence your approach to service design and collaboration.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at Sanderson Government & Defence
✨Know Your Service Design Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in service design principles and methodologies. Brush up on your knowledge of user-centred design and be ready to discuss how you've applied these concepts in previous roles, especially in complex environments like defence or national security.
✨Prepare Real-World Examples
Think of specific projects where you’ve successfully translated complex technical architectures into usable services. Be prepared to share these examples during the interview, highlighting your role, the challenges faced, and the outcomes achieved.
✨Showcase Your Collaboration Skills
Since this role involves working within multi-disciplinary teams, be ready to discuss how you’ve facilitated workshops or co-design sessions. Share stories that demonstrate your ability to engage stakeholders and drive collaborative efforts towards successful service delivery.
✨Understand the Security Context
Familiarise yourself with the importance of security in service design, especially in high-assurance environments. Be prepared to discuss how you would integrate security considerations into your design processes and ensure that usability is not compromised.