Lead Solutions Architect - Apprenticeship

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA); West of England; Hybrid; GBP 21,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

London Weighting

Civil Service Pension

Annual leave 25 days

Bank Holidays + Privilege Day

Staff discount portal

Career development

EAP

Flexible working

Job summary

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is seeking a Lead Solution Architect apprentice to help shape cloud-based digital services within its Enterprise Architecture practice. You will support reducing technical debt and TCO, translating business problems into robust solution architectures, and ensuring alignment with DVSA principles.

You will work with Lead Solution Architects and stakeholders to deliver cost-effective, enterprise-grade designs using AWS/Azure and TOGAF/Zachman guidance.

Qualifications

• Experience in a digital/IT architecture role with stakeholder collaboration.
• Ensure solutions align with Enterprise Architecture principles and guidelines.
• Hands-on experience with AWS and/or Azure cloud ecosystems and integration of cloud services.
• Familiarity with TOGAF, Zachman, ITIL; modelling notations such as Archimate, UML, BPMN.

Responsibilities

• Translate business problems into solution architectures within DVSA's Enterprise Architecture practice.
• Create and maintain as-is, transition and to-be Architectures delivering value for money.
• Collaborate with business and technology stakeholders to align designs with enterprise principles.

Skills

Digital/IT architecture

Stakeholder collaboration

AWS/Azure cloud

Enterprise Architecture principles

TOGAF/Zachman

UML/Archimate/BPMN

Education

Minimum level 3 STEM qualifications

Tools

UML

Archimate

UML/BPMN modelling

TOGAF

Job description

Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency

Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 28th September 2026

Location: Bristol, Swansea, Leeds, Nottingham, Newcastle, Oldham (Chadderton), Birmingham (Garretts Green) or Uxbridge. (This role is suitable for hybrid working)

Candidates based in Yeading/Uxbridge will receive the London Weighting allowance of £4,000

A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Reporting to the Lead Technical Architect you will work in a team consisting of Lead Solution Architects and play a pivotal role within the architecture community at DVSA.

The Lead Solution Architect will work within DVSA’s Enterprise Architecture practice helping to support reducing technical debt, improving customer and colleague services and reducing TCO (Total Cost of Ownership).

Predominantly focussed on architecting cloud based digital services and responsible for providing technical and advisory support, solutioning and oversight to ensure business objectives can be achieved in a cost-effective manner.

The Lead Solution Architect is responsible for the creation and maintenance of as-is, transition and to-be Solution Architectures which meet the needs of the DVSA, whilst delivering value for money for their designated business capabilities.

Top Responsibilities

• The Lead Solution Architect will work within DVSA’s Enterprise Architecture practice helping to support reducing technical debt, improving customer and colleague services and reducing TCO (Total Cost of Ownership).
• Predominantly focussed on architecting cloud based digital services and responsible for providing technical and advisory support, solutioning and oversight to ensure business objectives can be achieved in a cost-effective manner.
• The Lead Solution Architect is responsible for the creation and maintenance of as-is, transition and to-be Solution Architectures which meet the needs of the DVSA, whilst delivering value for money for their designated business capabilities.
• The Lead Solution Architect works with business and technology stakeholders to translate business problems into solution architectures. Creating an optimal design through an iterative process, aligning the user needs, functional and non-functional requirements, organisational objectives and alignment to the Enterprise Architecture principles, standards, and patterns.

For more information on the role and responsibilities please see the full job advert on CS Jobs using the link provided.

• 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).
• 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
• Access to the staff discount portal.
• Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
• Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
• 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

About You

To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:

• Demonstrated expertise in a digital/IT architecture role, involving active collaboration with stakeholders, translating business requirements into tangible solution design artifacts, and clearly communicating technical intricacies to non-technical audiences.
• Proven track record in ensuring that designed solutions align with the enduring principles and guidelines established by an organization’s Enterprise Architecture practice.
• Extensive track record in strategizing and executing transformation initiatives, with hands-on involvement in business change efforts leveraging AWS and/or Microsoft Azure cloud ecosystems. Proficient in integrating various products and cloud services within these dynamic environments.
• Practical exposure to implementing Solution Architecture frameworks in the context of real-world business transformation scenarios. Proficient with well-known frameworks including TOGAF and/or Zachman, as well as familiar with ITIL practices and modelling notations such as Archimate, UML, and BPMN.

To be eligible for this apprenticeship (if you are not already qualified to a degree level in a Digital Development and Technology discipline) you must:

• Be aged 18 or over.
• Have the right work in the UK.
• Hold the following qualifications: Minimum level 3 qualifications in STEM subjects (e.g., 2 A Levels, BTEC Diplomas, Apprenticeship, or equivalent)
• Not be in full-time education.
• Not be in receipt of funding for other learning programmes at the point of enrolment for this apprenticeship.
• Have valid and eligible residency status and be resident in the UK for 3 years before the start of the apprenticeship. Full eligibility details can be found here at Annex A. If you are not sure if you meet the residency requirements then please contact us before applying.

This vacancy closes at 23:55 on Monday 28th September 2026