Senior Security Architect

DWP Digital; Newcastle upon Tyne; Hybrid; GBP 57,000 - 84,000; Full time

Job summary

A major UK government digital service seeks a Senior Security Architect to lead security efforts across identity verification projects. This role involves shaping user access for millions and ensuring robust security measures. Required skills include expertise in security architecture, application security, and cloud technologies. Benefits include competitive pay up to £83,917, a generous pension with 28.97% employer contribution, and opportunities for professional growth in a hybrid working environment.

Benefits

28.97% employer pension contributions

Flexible working hours

Generous leave package

Professional development opportunities

Discounts and savings on shopping and activities

Qualifications

• Experience in enterprise‑scale IT in a Security Architect role within a large organization.
• Strong understanding of network protocols like TCP/IP and experience securing infrastructure.
• A solid foundation in cloud developments and CI/CD practices.

Responsibilities

• Shape the security foundations for user identity verification in digital public services.
• Influence long-term identity solutions for secure access and trust.
• Drive secure‑by‑default thinking across teams.

Skills

Security architecture design

Application and Cloud Security

Network Security

Threat analysis and mitigation

Encryption & Cryptography

AuthN/AuthZ technologies

Cloud-native technologies

Education

CISSP certification or Masters in Information Security

Tools

SIEM

Docker

Kubernetes

Jenkins

GitLab

Job description

Pay of up to £83,917. Benefits include 28.97% employer pension contributions, hybrid working, flexible hours, and great work life balance.

At DWP we're building secure, reliable and user-centred digital services that millions of people depend on every day. Our Identity & Trust team is developing a strategic platform that will enable safe, secure and seamless communication between our citizens and the services they rely on.

We're looking for a Senior Security Architect to provide specialist security leadership, architectural direction and hands‑on guidance across a range of identity verification projects.

This is a high-impact role where your expertise will directly shape how DWP protects citizens, services and data at a national scale

DWP. Digital with Purpose.

We are looking for a Senior Security Architect to join our community of tech experts in DWP Digital.

We're using fresh ideas and leading-edge tech to build and maintain digital solutions that will be used by nearly every person in the UK, every day and at key moments in their lives.

DWP is the UK's largest government department. We help people into work, and make payments worth over £195bn a year to support and empower millions of people.

The scale of what we do is extraordinary, and our purpose is unique. We'd love you to join us.

What skills, knowledge and experience will you need?

• Security architecture design and modelling techniques, tools and standards.
• Application and Cloud Security across complex environments.
• Experience in enterprise‑scale IT, in at least one recent Security Architect role within a large, complex national or multi‑national organisation.
• Network Security; Strong understanding of network protocols (e.g. TCP/IP, BGP, OSPF) and experience securing routers, switches, firewalls and load balancers.
• Threat analysis and mitigation using tooling such as SIEM, IDS/IPS, and endpoint detection systems.
• Encryption & Cryptography expertise (e.g. SSL/TLS, IPsec, Kerberos, VPNs, PKI) including securing data in transit and at rest.
• Strong knowledge of AuthN/AuthZ technologies such as OIDC, OAuth, JWT and SAML.
• Knowledge of cloud‑native technologies (e.g. Docker, Kubernetes, Istio) and CI/CD tooling (e.g. Jenkins, GitLab).

A CISSP certification or Masters in Information Security would be nice to have but not essential. You can work towards these here, if you don't already have them.

You and your role

In this role you'll help shape the security foundations which enable millions of people to safely authenticate their identities and access DWP's services. Your architectural leadership will influence long‑term identity solutions, strengthening trust and secure access in DWP and across public services in the UK.

You'll also play a key role in improving how security is understood and applied across teams - driving secure‑by‑default thinking, refining patterns and helping colleagues make confident, informed decisions that lead to more robust and reliable services.

Come and join a community that's serious about modern ways of working and professional growth, and be part of a journey that will help secure the future of digital public services.

Details. Wages. Perks.

Location:

You'll join us in one of our brilliant digital hubs in Blackpool, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle or Sheffield, whichever is most convenient for you.

Hybrid Working:

We work a hybrid model - you'll spend some time working at home and some time collaborating face to face in a hub.

Pay:

We offer pay up to £83,917. That's £57,946 salary plus a Government Digital and Data Allowance of up to £25,971 subject to our assessment of your capability at interview.

Pension:

You'll get a brilliant civil service pension with employer contributions worth 28.97%, worth up to £16,786 per year.

Holidays:

A generous leave package starting at 26 days rising to 31 days over time.

You can also take up to 3 extra days off a month on flexi‑time. You'll also get all the usual public holidays.

We have a broad benefits package built around your work‑life balance which includes:

• Flexible working including flexible hours and flex‑friendly policies
• Time off volunteering and charitable giving
• Bring your authentic self to work with 'I Can Be Me in DWP'
• Discounts and savings on shopping, fun days out and more
• Interest‑free loans to buy a bike or a season ticket, so it's even easier for you to get to work and start making a difference
• Sports and social activities
• Professional development, coaching, mentoring and career progression opportunities.

And we have an award‑winning environment and culture:

• DWP have been recognised as 2024 Diversity Employer of the Year at the Computing Women in Tech Excellence awards
• Diverse and Inclusive Leadership at Digital Leaders Awards 2024
• Commended as Best Place to Work in Digital category in the Computing Digital Technology Leaders awards 2025
• Recognised as one of the Best Public Sector Employers at 2025 Women In Tech Employer Awards

Process:

We know your time is valuable so our application and selection process is just two stages:

• Apply: complete your application on Civil Service Jobs. There'll be full instructions when you click through.
• Interview: a single stage interview online.

CLICK APPLYfor more information and to start your application.