Principal Technical Architect

FCDO Services; Hanslope; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Location allowance £1,750

Shuttle bus service

Civil Service Pension

On-site gym

Industry-leading benefits

Season ticket loans

Bike loans

Nursery facilities

Café and restaurant

Job summary

FCDO Services is seeking a Senior Enterprise Architect based in Hanslope Park, Milton Keynes, with hybrid working. You will define the architectural strategy and standards, lead a diverse team of architects, and align initiatives with government security and technology policies.

The role requires demonstrable leadership, broad cloud and on-premise expertise, and the ability to translate complex requirements into secure, scalable designs.

Qualifications

• Degree or equivalent in Computer Science or Information Technology.
• Expert or professional level certificates in relevant specialisms.
• Willing to work towards TOGAF, ITIL, Agile Project Management and PRINCE2.

Responsibilities

• Define and evolve enterprise architecture aligning with goals and standards.
• Govern infrastructure, networks, and cloud architecture domains.
• Coach and mentor architects and specialists.
• Engage with senior stakeholders across government and industry.
• Identify and govern risk and ensure compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic thinking

Mentoring

Risk governance

Education

Degree in Computer Science or IT

TOGAF

ITIL

Agile Project Management

PRINCE2

Tools

VMware

Microsoft on-premise

Terraform

CloudFormation

Azure Resource Manager

Ansible

Puppet

Chef

Multi-cloud

TOGAF

Job description

Salary: plus a location allowance of £1,750 and excellent benefits

Contract type: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time

Location: Based in Hanslope Park, Milton Keynes, with the flexibility of hybrid working depending on business need

Free shuttle bus available between central Milton Keynes and Hanslope Park

At FCDO Services, we protect the UK’s interests at home and overseas. We design and construct secure government buildings and courier diplomatic packages worldwide, safeguard government tech and a whole lot more. Our work is as varied and vital as it gets, but we never lose sight of our people. Their skills, aspirations and growth mean as much as the global mission we’re on. In our world, it all matters.

Our Digital and Data technology team are at the forefront of digital innovation. They provide the best in-class solutions for our customers, helping to shape and support a data-driven future for the UK government. Whether it’s creating bespoke, secure software, offering programme and application support or moving an entire embassy’s servers to a Cloud platform. No matter the task, they are on hand to support. Now, you’ve got the opportunity to join them.

Providing innovation to government partners

Working at the cutting-edge of technology

It all matters

Define the technical standards that shape the vital work we do

When you join us in this significant role you’ll lead the definition and evolution of enterprise architecture, ensuring it aligns with our organisational goals, government standards and technological strategy. Building capability, promoting excellence and overseeing the infrastructure, networks and cloud architecture domains, you’ll inspire your dedicated team as you drive the design and execution of architectural roadmaps and transformational change across applications, operations, infrastructure and cloud domains. Making an important contribution to our technology and target operating models, and shaping strategies for the adoption of AI, DevSecOps, and identity management, we’ll also expect you to establish architectural standards, policies and guardrails across our organisation.

You’ll use all your leadership skills as you coach and mentor our architects and technical specialists by articulating FCDO Services’ vision, principles and value, and cultivate a culture of continuous improvement and shared learning. Engaging with a diverse range of senior stakeholders across government, technical communities and industry as you represent our organisation and share insights at relevant forums, you’ll also work with other senior leaders to align our architecture with business strategy, procurement and operations. Your additional key tasks will include identifying and governing risk, ensuring decisions and solutions comply with relevant requirements, and participating in incident reviews. And it goes without saying that you’ll be committed to driving innovation and improving performance as we stay at the forefront of emerging technologies, architectures and industry trends.

Shape the technical architecture that keeps the UK secure

To be a success in this vital role you should possess the skills to translate business and security requirements into secure, efficient and cost-effective designs, and have experience of reviewing and assuring complex solutions and designs using the TOGAF framework. With proven experience of using VMware, Microsoft on-premise, and multi-cloud technologies to define and govern enterprise scale architectures, we’ll also look for the ability to translate strategic objectives into technical roadmaps, the skills to design secure or air-gapped platforms within the government sector, and knowledge of NCSC, GDS and UK government security frameworks.

Committed to fostering technical excellence and professional growth in the architects and specialists you work with, and with the confidence to influence and advise senior civil servants, you’ll be a skilled user of Terraform, CloudFormation, Azure Resource Manager, Ansible, Puppet and Chef, and have expert knowledge of VMware and Microsoft infrastructure technologies. When it come to academic qualifications you should have a degree or equivalent experience in Computer Science or Information Technology, expert or professional level certificates in relevant specialisms, and hold or be willing to work towards qualifications such as TOGAF, ITIL, Agile Project Management and PRINCE2.

Discover the support you need to grow your career further

But we’re always looking to improve – just like you. That’s why when you join us, expect to receive a competitive salary, generous holiday entitlement and a Civil Service Pension. Along with this, you’ll also have access to training and other development opportunities to help grow your career with us. Our offices have an on-site gym, nursery, café, and restaurant, and we offer interest‑free loans on season tickets and bikes to help you get there. It's a great set of benefits made to support all you do, and all you need.

Every single colleague must be security cleared before joining us. If you’re successful in your application, we’ll ask you to undergo our vetting process to achieve Developed Vetting (DV) clearance. You can find out more about vetting at fcdoservicescareers.co.uk/how-to-apply/

To find out more about our benefits and our organisation, please visit fcdoservicescareers.co.uk

Closing date: Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 18th October 2026.

It takes a diverse team to protect a diverse world

The vital work we do takes an incredible community of colleagues, with different skills, backgrounds, cultures and identities. We support every individual, so that you always know you’re welcome and valued. It’s what makes us a Disability Confident employer. And why we’re recognised as a ‘Carer Confident’ workplace. And it’s how you know you’re joining an inspiring, inclusive organisation.