Senior Technical Architect

Senior Technical Architect

Planning Inspectorate

The Planning Inspectorate is undergoing a major transformation, refreshing the systems that support our core services and redesigning how we deliver them across all channels. Modern technology is at the heart of this change, improving service delivery for both internal and external users.  

We're looking for a Technical Architect to join our expanding Digital Services team. As we grow to meet increasing demand from colleagues, government, and the public. This role offers the opportunity to make a real impact on how planning services are delivered across England.  

This is a role for someone who enjoys solving complex problems, collaborating across disciplines, and designing systems that make a difference to people's lives.  

Embedded within our Research & Development service team, you'll work across multiple service teams to ensure that tools, infrastructure, and integrations align with our enterprise architecture and support long-term transformation.  

You'll play a key role in defining and evolving our technical architecture, standards

,

and design principles, ensuring our digital services are robust, scalable, and user-focused.  

The Planning Inspectorate has a long and proud history in ensuring a fair planning system for England. The work we do has a significant impact on people's lives, the communities where they live and the economy. In this role, you can contribute to the important work we deliver. 

Job description

In a typical week, you'll play a part in

the design and delivery of high-quality digital services through a variety of responsibilities, including:  

• Collaborating with our core casework service teams to design and advise on architecture solutions that meet both user and business needs
• Providing expert technical guidance on architecture and technology choices, working closely with colleagues across multiple disciplines
• Engaging with Developers, DevOps Engineers, and Infrastructure and Platform Engineers to review and shape technical approaches
• Working alongside Information Security Managers to ensure appropriate security controls are in place and supporting security testing activities
• Producing clear, accessible technical architecture documentation and guidance
• Communicating complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Actively participating in the Architects' Community of Practice, sharing knowledge, learning, and ideas

Person specification

We will assess your application against the Essential Criteria and Success Profile elements listed:   

Essential  

• Digitally and technically literate, capable of engaging effectively with technical staff, suppliers and stakeholders to define the best solutions in line with the Inspectorate's & Government strategy
• Demonstrable experience successfully designing and reviewing complex technical delivery projects
• Proven experience liaising with external and internal teams to ensure timely provisioning and implementation of quality, scalable and secure technical solutions
• Substantial experience of Microsoft cloud applications and infrastructure.
• Experience working with suppliers to contribute to and assure detailed technical architectures and designs
• Able to perform in a technically complex, shows resilience in the face of change and effectively deal with ambiguity
• Recognises the trade-offs between different solution options communicates effectively to others in plain English.
• Familiar with architecture methods & tools such as TOGAF, Archimate and UML

Experience   

• See Essential Criteria

For guidance on how to structure your application please visit:  
About the application process , Civil Service Careers
  

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Cloud Solution Design
• Technical Assurance and Governance
• Collaborative Delivery in Multi-Disciplinary Teams
• Technical Review and Assurance Methods
• Technical Solution Design Considerations

We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form:

• Cloud Solution Design
• Technical Assurance and Governance
• Collaborative Delivery in Multi-Disciplinary Teams

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £46,689, Planning Inspectorate contributes £13,525 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• DDAT allowance of up to £10,771 based on Capability and base salary
• Flexible working options, including flexi-time, part-time, compressed hours and home working if suitable for the role.
• A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity.
• 25 days annual leave increasing by 1 day per year up to 30 days after 5 years, plus 1 privilege day to mark the King's birthday. In addition to the normal bank holidays.
• Generous family friendly policies.
• Fast and modern IT kit which utilises Windows 11 and Microsoft 365, enabling seamless working from home and collaboration across teams.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Application

For guidance on how to structure your application please see About the application process , Civil Service Careers

Complete the online application form on Civil Service Jobs which requires the following information:

• A CV: 
  The CV section lets you share your job history. List your jobs, how long you worked at each, and briefly describe your roles and duties. Make sure to show how your experience matches the e
  ssential criteria of the job
   you're applying for. Type or paste this information into the 'Employment History' box in the online application. You can't attach your CV.
• Technical Behaviour/Experience examples): Provide evidence against each of the behaviours/experience criteria set out in the person specification. There is a word limit of 250 word for each behaviour/experience criteria.

If there are many applications, we might use a lead sift. This means we'll first check if you meet the key requirement listed below. If you don't, we won't review the rest of your application.   

• Demonstrates digital and technical literacy, with the ability to effectively engage with technical staff, suppliers, and stakeholders to define optimal solutions aligned with both the Inspectorate's and wider Government strategy.

All shortlisted candidates will be advised of the outcome shortly afterwards.

Interview

If you are shortlisted, you will:

• Be asked to attend an interview to have a more in-depth discussion about your experience and suitability for the role
• Interviews will be a blend of behaviour, experience and technical questions

Candidates who pass the shortlist stage will receive full assessment details with their interview invitations. 

Other Information

Shortlist Date: w/c 27th October 2025

Interview Date: w/c 10th November 2025