OPEN SESSION
Would you like to find out more about the role, the team and what it’s like to work in the Technical Architecture department? If so, DVLA are organising an open session where you can virtually ‘meet the team’ on 07/10/26 at 12pm

Sign up here:
https://www.ticketsource.com/dvlaitsrecruitment/seo-technical-architect-applications-familiarisation-session/2026-10-07/12:00/t-dkgjjvy

APPLICATION PROCESS
For this role you will need to submit a CV, within your CV please provide detailed evidence of your experience of the following essential criteria:

• Experience of creating and maintaining solution designs in an iterative and collaborative manner.
• Excellent technical skills, with the ability to demonstrate accountability for end-to-end solution designs and stakeholder management.
• Experience with architectural governance processes and practices.

Job summary

Are you a Technical Architect with genuine technical depth who thrives on designing solutions collaboratively?

If you’re someone who works alongside engineers and stakeholders to turn complex problems into deliverable designs, we’d love to hear from you.

Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays and a privilege day for the King’s birthday
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Find out more about what it’s like working at DVLA – Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency – Civil Service Careers

Job description

In this role you’ll work closely with IT Service Creation to design end-to-end technical solutions for complex business problems. You’ll need to balance strategic alignment with practical delivery – designing solutions that are secure and scalable while remaining buildable by the engineering teams who deliver them. You’ll also assure those solutions through delivery governance, supporting engineers and delivery managers along the way. Strong technical skills and clear communication are essential; so is the ability to collaborate across disciplines. 

Your responsibilities will include, but aren’t limited to: 

• Undertake structured analysis of technical issues, translating this analysis into technical designs that describe a solution.
• Be consulted about design and provide design patterns.
• Identify deeper issues that need fixing.
• Look for opportunities to collaborate and reuse components, communicating with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Be responsible for leading the technical design of systems and services, justifying and communicating design decisions.

Person specification

The successful candidate will be:

• Technically strong, with a sound understanding of solution design and architecture
• A clear communicator who can work across engineering, delivery, and business teams
• Collaborative, especially with the engineers who build what you design
• A proactive problem-solver who balances strategic needs with practical delivery
• Committed to producing high-quality, deliverable solutions

Additional Information

The role is part of the Government Digital and Data and utilises an enhanced Capability–Based Pay Framework which provides access to a Digital and Data allowance.

The base pay is £44,241. In addition to this the role includes a Digital and Data allowance of up to £14,756.

The value of allowance awarded will be based on an assessment of your skills and experience as demonstrated through the selection process. Here are more details on the pay framework.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £44,241 – £58,997, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency contributes £12,816 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

Passionate, reliable and always willing to push yourself and those around you, you’ll continue to seek improvement in your own role and challenge us too. Because we pride ourselves on how we approach your development. From training courses to specialist skills workshops and opportunities to grow your expertise, we thrive when you thrive. You can find out more about all of the above here alongside a full list of our 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

Find out more about the benefits of working at DfT and its agencies (opens in a new window).

Working for the DVLA Digital Team

At DVLA, licensing is just the start. Every project you implement, touch and deliver has a ripple effect that’ll wash across the nation. Here the work you’re doing has the capacity to change the way 53 million people interact with our services. As we aim to keep our roads some of the safest in the world, our innovative, transformative digital-led services help optimise a nation of individuals and business every single day.  

To see how our people are transforming our digital services, head over to our DVLA Digital Services Blog and, to understand more about the great opportunities and benefits of working at DVLA read our Inside DVLA blog.

Working hours, office attendance and travel requirements

Full time roles consist of 37 hours per week. Whilst we welcome applications from those looking to work with us on a part time basis, there is a business requirement for the successful candidate to be able to work at least 35 hours per week.

This role is suitable for hybrid working, which is a non-contractual arrangement where a combination of workplace and home-based working can be accommodated subject to business requirements.

The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time a month will be spent at either your designated workplace (one of the locations cited in the advert) or, when required for business reasons, in another office/work location. There may be occasions where you are required to attend above the minimum expectation.

If you have a question about hybrid working, part time/job share hours, flexible working, travelling for work, or require a reasonable adjustment, please contact the Vacancy Holder during the recruitment process to avoid possible disappointment later in the process should your working arrangements not be compatible with the requirements of the role (see below for contact details).

Security Check

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check. To allow for meaningful checks to be carried out, candidates will be required to have at least 5 years continuous residency in the UK. All applicants for this role must ensure that they meet this minimum residency requirement – if you do not, your application will be withdrawn.

Visa Sponsorship

Please note that we do not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker Licence sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship. Candidates must ensure they have the appropriate rights to work in the UK before application.

How to Apply

The selection process for this role will be:

Stage 1: Sift of CV

For this role you will need to submit a CV, within your CV please provide detailed evidence of your experience of the following essential criteria:

• Experience of participating in solution design
• Excellent technical skills, with the ability to demonstrate accountability for solution design & stakeholder management
• Knowledge of architectural governance processes and practices. 

This sift will take place w/c 19/10/26

Stage 2: Pre-Recorded Video Interview

If at sift your application is successful, you will be invited to the first stage of the interview process (hosted by Inspire People), where you will be asked to complete a pre-recorded video interview (this again will be based on the experience points outlined in the essential criteria on this advert).  

If you are successful at this stage, you will be invited to a final stage interview (which will include an assessment) and be conducted by DVLA Hiring Managers.  

Stage 3: Interview

At interview stage, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:

• Behaviours – Making Effective Decisions
• Technical:

• Architect for the whole content (working)
• Architecture communication (practitioner)
• Community collaboration (practitioner)
• Technical design throughout the life cycle (practitioner)

These can be found at Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework

The interviews will take place week commencing 02/11/26.

Please note that we will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change.

This interview will be conducted in person at our Swansea office. Further details will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.

Feedback on your application can only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Job Contact:
Zymante Gintalaite:
zymante@inspirepeople.net 
02078718550

Click here to view original advert on Civil Service jobs  

Attachments

DVLA Digital Job Brochure – V1 2025 (type, size)

ITS-GDD-A-TA-STA-TAA-SEO-Technical Architect (Applications) – V3.0 (type, size)