AWS Senior Solutions Architect

Do you want to transform the way cloud technologies are used across Government, the wider Public Sector in Scotland to enable the delivery of better technology to serve the people of Scotland?  

To support our investment in The Scottish Government cloud platform we have an opportunity for an AWS Senior Solutions Architect to play a key role in designing secure, scalable digital solutions that meet user needs and deliver public value. 

Specialising in Amazon Web Services (AWS), the Senior Architect will be part of a multi-disciplined team responsible for the design, delivery, and ongoing improvement of the Scottish Government Cloud Platform service. 

Architects also collaborate closely with our customers to support the design and delivery of modern solutions onto our service, ensuring effective use of the common shared services we offer. 

Responsibilities 

• Working with colleagues, customers and other technical professionals to capture, document and agree solution requirements early in the delivery process - with a particular focus on security and cost effectiveness. 
• Translating requirements into modern, secure, and cost-effective architectural designs. 
• Collaborating with stakeholders across different disciplines - such as security, service, and engineering teams - to gain feedback on requirements and ensure solutions solve the whole problem and align to organisational standards and processes. 
• Developing, document, present and support architectural decisions at relevant governance forums to obtain agreement to proceed. 
• You will transparently identify, document, and communicate risks at all stages of solution development. 
• Defining and contributing to road maps and strategies in your areas of expertise. 
• Continuously assessing the landscape to identify emerging technologies and approaches to improve the organisation. 
• Evaluating the success of a project or programme of work - once the solution has been integrated - to identify lessons learned that could contribute to future best practices. 
• Success Profile 
• Success profiles are specific to each job, and they include the mix of experience, skills and behaviours candidates will be assessed on. 
• Experience:  
• Lead Criteria 1: Designing complex technology solutions, recognising time, cost and quality targets and constraints. 
• Lead Criteria 2: Demonstrating leadership in solution and service governance, including the assessment of moderate risks and the definition of significant architectural decisions. 
• Collaborating with security, operational and service teams on service design, governance, and operation. 

Experience is assessed at sift, along with a more in-depth assessment at interview. 

Technical Skills:

This role is aligned to the Solution Architect (DDaT Role Level – Senior Solution Architect) within the Architecture Job Family.  

You can find out more about the skills required, here.

These skills are assessed by technical assessment, designed to represent the role. Candidates reaching this stage will receive a Technical Assessment Candidate Pack which outlines the specific skills to be assessed, plus the method of assessment.  

Behaviours:

• Making Effective Decisions (Level 4) 
• Working Together (Level 4)

You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours, here. 

Behaviours are assessed at interview. Full details will be shared in advance with all candidates invited to this stage. 

How To Apply

Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 750 words) which provides evidence of how you meet each of the 3 Experience criteria listed in the Success Profile above.  

Candidates will have their applications assessed against all Experience criteria. If a large number of applications are received an initial sift will be conducted on the Lead Criteria highlighted above. Candidates who pass the initial sift will have their applications fully assessed.  

Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.  

Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.

If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and DDaT Technical assessment where the behaviours, experiences and technical skills outlined in the Success Profile will be assessed. 

The sift is scheduled for w/c Monday 22nd September.  

Interviews and DDaT Technical assessments are scheduled for w/c Monday 6th October, however these may be subject to change. 

About Us

The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland. We have responsibility for a wide range of key policy areas including: education, health, the economy, justice, housing and transport. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles.

Our staff are part of the UK Civil Service, working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland.

We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer. 

As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules.

Ddat Pay Supplement

This post is part of the Scottish Government Digital, Data and Technology (DDAT) profession, as a member of the profession you will join the professional development system. This post currently attracts a £5,000.00 annual DDAT pay supplement, applicable after a 3-month competency qualifying period. The payment will be backdated to your start date in the role. Pay supplements are reviewed regularly and there is one currently underway. Changes will be communicated when the review is concluded.

Working Pattern

• Our standard hours are 35 hours per week, we offer flexible working including full-time, part-time, flexitime, and compressed hours depending on the needs of the role.
• From October 2025, the Scottish Government will require staff in hybrid-compatible roles to work in-person 40% of the time either in an office or other agreed work location.
• If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact Digitalcareers@gov.scot.   

Security Checks

Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions).

• You can find out more about BPSS on the UK Government website, or read about the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide. 
• Equality Statement 
• We are committed to equality and inclusion, and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.  
• Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them. 
• Further information 
• Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website. 
• Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes. 

If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact Samuel.Smart2@gov.scot 

Apply Before: 21st September (23:59)