Thank you for your interest in our Principal Technical Architect and Lead Technical Architect roles.
In both of these roles, you’ll have the opportunity to become a critical part of the Office of the Chief Technology Officer (OCTO) within the Government Digital Service (GDS).
OCTO is responsible for delivering key government technology strategies and initiatives. These include the market-shaping Cloud Challenge Book and public sector technology learning through Get Tech Certified.
Role comparison
Strategy
Define, set and lead a 10-year strategy in your specialism
Communication
Create and present key information to technical and non-technical stakeholders, including ministers and key decision makers in government
Networking
Develop a network of peers both in GDS and across government
Delivery
Provide policy decisions and advice and upskill the entire government when it comes to digital skills and training
Learning and training
Share learning and mentor the Lead Technical Architect
Strategy
Lead on research and pieces of work, supporting the Principal Technical Architect to develop a 10-year strategy within your specialism
Communication
Working with stakeholders to shape government digital strategy and translating complex technical concepts into straightforward language to influence senior decision makers
Networking
Developing a network of peers, building credibility and improving communication and promoting your work through speaking engagements and hosting community events
Delivery
Supporting the delivery of technologies that have a positive impact on users
Learning and training
Helping to upskill others within OCTO and GDS in your specialist area
What is Government Digital Service?
Government Digital Service (GDS) is the digital centre of government. We set, lead and deliver the vision for a modern digital government, harnessing technologies and talent to make a serious impact across the public sector. We employ more than 1,000 people all over the UK, with hubs in Manchester, London and Bristol.
Where you’ll be working
Led by the Government Chief Technology Officer, OCTO sets cross-government technology strategy, technical standards, and shared architectural patterns to drive digital transformation and interoperability across public services.
We lead the Engineering, Architecture and IT Operations professions across the public sector. We provide the guidance, tools, methodologies, communities, events and research that thousands of technology professionals rely on to do their jobs throughout their careers.
Sonia Patel
Chief Technology Officer
Our mission is to build Firmer Foundations for Government, a core pillar of the Government’s Blueprint for Modern Digital Government. Much of the technology that the public relies on every day is aging, fragmented and at risk, and we’re working with leaders across government and the wider public sector to change that, not just recommend how it should be done.
Job satisfaction
The opportunity to shape the future of digital government and make services easier to use and more inclusive for people across the UK
Flexible, hybrid working
25 days annual leave, increasing by a day each year up to 30. Flexible hybrid working and the option to work part-time or condensed hours
Learning and development
10 learning days a year, volunteering opportunities and access to a suite of resources through Civil Service learning
Working at GDS
Show video transcript
- [Text on screen: Government Digital Service]
- [Text on screen: We are GDS]
- [Sonia Patel, Chief Technology Officer] I am genuinely optimistic. We hold so much opportunities around the areas that we're pioneering, both with and on behalf of government and working with industries to ensure that we are at the forefront of the technology services that we can provide to our people, places and population.
- [Daniel Tea-Lewis, Principal Technical Architect] I think there's a misconception that working in government can be slow paced. We have some of the biggest and meatiest challenges and opportunities to solve, and they're not waiting around. So I think the thing that GDS does that is really unique is drive standards and patterns across the whole of the UK public sector.
- [Nabil Nazar, Principal Enterprise Architect] Being in the government changes your perspective. It is actually about making a real difference to the citizens' lives.
- [Daniel] The people here are expert, dedicated and ambitious.
- [Text on screen: We are GDS – Join us]
Purpose at GDS
Show video transcript
- [Text on screen: Government Digital Service]
- [Text on screen: Purpose at GDS]
- [Sonia Patel, Chief Technology Officer] Working in this environment is particularly special for me because I'm really drawn by public service. I make a real genuine difference.
- [Sarah Handyside, Service Owner] You sit at the heart of a really interesting nexus, something that is ultimately building things for citizens.
- [Nabil Nazar, Principal Technical Architect] Changes your perspective. We are not after a revenue target.
- [Martha Carlin, Private Secretary to the Government Chief Technology Officer] Making a difference to real people's lives. We're going to have to continue to use technology. And making that work in the best way for everyone I think is really important as a public service.
- [Daniel Tea-Lewis, Principal Technical Architect] I think what motivates me is coming to work knowing that I'm having is for every citizen in the UK.
- [Text on screen: We are GDS, join us]
People at GDS
Show video transcript
- [Text on screen: Government Digital Service]
- [Text on screen: People at GDS]
- [Sarah Handyside, Service Owner] Working at GDS means no two days are the same.
- [Daniel Tea-Lewis, Principal Technical Architect] The people here are expert, dedicated and ambitious.
- [Shreeya Mukherjee, Senior Policy Advisor] The best part about it is the community that you have.
- [Sonia Patel, Chief Technology Officer] You'll be part of a team that is really passionate and committed to making a difference.
- [Nabil Nazar, Principal Technical Architect] Working at GDS means getting to work with some of the smartest people in the UK.
- [Sonia Patel, Chief Technology Officer] Attracting people from different corners of society as well.
- [Shreeya Mukherjee, Senior Policy Advisor] The fact that I can come into the office and I know that I'll see a friendly face, or two friendly faces, or five, or a handful.
- [Matthew Hayward, Lead Technical Architect] Here, I've really been exposed to people who have bright, wide eyes and new ideas.
- [Shreeya Mukherjee, Senior Policy Advisor] You get to do so many interesting things at a really fast pace.
- [Sonia Patel, Chief Technology Officer] That we do this with our own authentic, fun selves.
- [Text on screen: We are GDS, join us]
Impact at GDS
Show video transcript
- [Text on screen: Government Digital Service]
- [Text on screen: Impact at GDS]
- [Daniel Tea-Lewis, Principal Technical Architect] So what excites me most about working at GDS is the ability to work with new and emerging technologies to bring the biggest impact to our citizens and their services.
- [Matthew Hayward, Lead Technical Architect] There's always people with new ideas facing all the new challenges that we get.
- [Shreeya Mukherjee, Senior Policy Advisor] I get to work with really interesting people from a variety of expertise and that includes technologists, delivery managers and user researchers.
- [Sonia Patel, Chief Technology Officer] Working collaboratively together, how we can make a genuine difference at scale and at pace.
- [Daniel Tea-Lewis, Principal Technical Architect] We have the ability to work with our suppliers to really inform the roadmaps of the products and services that they need to be able to produce.
- [Sonia Patel, Chief Technology Officer] What's particularly unique about working for the UK Government Digital Service is the reach and impact that you have across society for our citizens, our businesses and also our public sector workforce.
- [Text on screen: We are GDS, join us]
Opportunity at GDS
Show video transcript
- [Text on screen: Government Digital Service]
- [Text on screen: Opportunity at GDS]
- [Sonia Patel, Chief Technology Officer] What's particularly unique about working for the UK Government Digital Service is the reach and impact you have across society.
- [Daniel Tea-Lewis, Principal Technical Architect] We have a range of architects, engineers, policy and delivery people driving value throughout the whole of the digital and data function for the whole of the UK public sector.
- [Sarah Handyside, Service Owner] There is a really strong focus here on actually building products and building and delivering services.
- [Matthew Hayward, Lead Technical Architect] I have found that I have a lot of agency here, more so than I've had before and that might come as a shock to many other people in the public sector especially.
- [Daniel Tea-Lewis, Principal Technical Architect] I was in front of senior officials and ministers after three to four weeks of joining the organisation.
- [Matthew Hayward, Lead Technical Architect] The pie is big and you know, and there's slices for everyone.
- [Text on screen: We are GDS, join us]