Technical Architect - Applications

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA); Swansea; Hybrid; GBP 58,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Learning & development

Flexible working

Pension contributions

On-site amenities

Holiday allowance

Employee assistance

Free parking

Job summary

Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) in Swansea is seeking a Lead Technical Architect to shape the technical design of systems across DVLA product areas. The role combines hands-on architecture with collaboration across engineering squads to deliver scalable, secure solutions.

You will work on major programmes such as EVED, design end-to-end technical solutions, and mentor engineers while staying close to delivery teams in a hybrid working pattern from Swansea.

Qualifications

• Architectural or engineering background in large-scale systems.
• Experience designing or delivering enterprise and cloud-based software such as AWS.
• Knowledge of cloud-native design and data security.
• Ability to create solution designs collaboratively with delivery teams.
• Strong end-to-end design, governance and engineering support.

Responsibilities

• Own and evolve products across web, mobile and API platforms.
• Design end-to-end technical solutions, including database schema, APIs, frontend, mobile interfaces and third-party integrations.
• Work directly with cloud-based technologies such as Azure and AWS, alongside C#, .NET, SQL, React, React Native, TypeScript, Node.js and Vue.
• Improve high-volume transactional systems, including payment flows, locking mechanisms, reconciliation, webhooks and data integrity controls.
• Support delivery through sprint planning, backlog management, code reviews, CI/CD improvements and test-driven development, while mentoring engineers and staying hands-on across the stack.

Skills

Architectural background

AWS experience

Cloud-native design

Solution design

End-to-end design

Governance & standards

Agile squads experience

Stakeholder communication

Tools

Draw.io

C4 diagrams

Mermaid

PlantUML

Git

Job description

Be part of major digital change across services used by over 53 million people.

Permanent role, hybrid working from Swansea, salary of up to £82,430 plus 29% employer pension contribution and excellent Civil Service benefits.

About role

As a Lead Technical Architect, you will be responsible for the technical design of systems and services across one or more DVLA product areas. You will work closely with engineering squads, lead engineers, delivery managers, business analysts and programme architects to develop practical designs that can be understood, delivered and maintained.

You will work on impactful projects such as the Electronic Vehicle Excise Duty programme, known as EVED - a major programme of work linked to upcoming legislative change. The work will include a mix of new development, changes to current national systems and integration between existing and new services.

You will produce high-level designs, support solution briefs, document technical decisions and work with squads to make sure designs are clear before development begins.

The role would suit someone with an engineering background who has moved into architecture, or an experienced technical architect who enjoys working closely with delivery teams.

Responsibilities

• Own and evolve products across web, mobile and API platforms, staying close to how systems are built, maintained and improved.
• Design and build end-to-end technical solutions, including database schema, APIs, frontend, mobile interfaces and third-party integrations.
• Work directly with cloud-based technologies such as Azure and AWS, alongside C#, .NET, SQL, React, React Native, TypeScript, Node.js and Vue.
• Improve high-volume transactional systems, including payment flows, locking mechanisms, reconciliation, webhooks and data integrity controls.
• Support delivery through sprint planning, backlog management, code reviews, CI/CD improvements and test-driven development, while mentoring engineers and staying hands-on across the stack.

Essential skills

• Architectural or engineering background
• Experience designing or delivering enterprise and cloud-based software systems such as AWS.
• Knowledge of cloud-native design, data security and protecting sensitive information.
• Ability to create solution designs collaboratively and iteratively with delivery teams.
• Strong technical skills across end-to-end design, governance, assurance and engineering support.
• Strategic thinker who can balance business, product and technical priorities.
• Strong communicator, able to work with senior leaders, engineers, testers and non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience working in a large, complex or regulated environment.
• Background in government, public sector or high-volume digital services.
• Experience working closely with Agile software engineering squads.
• Exposure to architecture governance, design assurance or technical standards.
• Comfortable using design and technical tools such as Draw.io, C4, Mermaid, PlantUML, Git or Markdown.

Alongside your salary of £57,515 - £82,430 , Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency contributes £16,662 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic 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 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

DVLA is entering a significant period of digital and legislative change, with a major new programme of work coming into play across its vehicle services. You’ll be joining at an early stage, helping to support the technical design behind services that are used by millions of people across the UK.

You’ll join a friendly and supportive architecture team that is moving towards a more collaborative, product-led and cloud-native way of working, with opportunities to stay close to engineering, modern tooling, AI coding assistants and future digital services.