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
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.
About the job
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.
Read more in the Benefits section below!
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.
For further information on the role, please read the attached role profile.
Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only – whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process.
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.
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.
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Making Effective Decisions
Technical skills
We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Architect for the whole content (working)
- Architecture communication (practitioner)
- Community collaboration (practitioner)
- Technical design throughout the life cycle (practitioner)
Benefits
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).
Things you need to know
Artificial intelligence
Selection process details
Our selection process ensures a comprehensive assessment of each applicant’s qualifications, skills, and potential fit within our organisation.
The selection process for this role will be:
Stage 1: Sift of CV
Stage 2: Pre-Recorded Video Interview
Stage 3: Interview
You must be successful at each stage to progress to the next stage.
Stage 1: Sift
As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide a CV to Inspire People (our Recruitment Partners) which outlines your experience and suitability for the role (based on the experience points outlined in the essential criteria on this advert).
Upon receipt of your CV, DVLA Hiring Managers will complete a sift. Please note; the sift will be completed on a rolling basis whilst the campaign is still live and so there is potential for feedback to be shared with you (on your application) before the advert closes.
To apply please click ‘Apply at advertiser’s site’ at the bottom of the page. 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
Should we receive a high volume of quality applications, we may invite a shortlist of the highest scoring candidates to interview. This means that some applications that meet the required standard could be placed ‘on hold’ after the sift and invited to interview if the vacant position(s) remain unfilled. You will be notified if your application is being put ‘on hold’ once the sift has been completed. Following interviews, any applicants remaining on hold will be notified by the panel of the next steps regarding their application.
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) and 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.
You can find out more about our hiring process, how to apply, and application and interview guidance on our careers site (opens in a new window).
Please note that we will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change.
If your application is successful but you have been dismissed from the Civil Service, your application could be removed at the pre-employment checking stage depending on the nature of the dismissal.
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
All external applicants and current employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) will be required to undergo a Social Media Check. A Social Media Check is a review of your publicly available online activity, typically across platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and others. The purpose is to identify any public posts or content that could raise concerns for employers, such as:
- Hate speech or discriminatory behaviour
- Threats or acts of violence
- Illegal activity or substance misuse
- Sexually explicit material
- Extremist views or affiliations
Importantly, this check does not involve hacking into your accounts or accessing private messages. It only considers content you have chosen to make public. Employers use this kind of screening to help ensure their workplace remains safe, inclusive, and aligned with company values. It’s not about judging your personality or lifestyle – it’s about checking for potential red flags that might affect the role or company culture. If you have questions or concerns about the social media check, we would be happy to explain in more detail what’s being looked at and how your data is handled securely and fairly.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
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).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Jemma Avo
- Email : ITSRecruitment@dvla.gov.uk
Further information
in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email: dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Click here (https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/) to visit Civil Service Commission