Security Architect

This is a Fixed Term Appointment opportunity for 47 months with the possibility of permanency dependent on business requirements.

Social Security Scotland currently has an exciting opportunity for an Associate Security Architect to join the Security Architecture Team within the Digital Risk & Security (DRS) Branch, playing a key role in safeguarding critical services, systems and citizen data across the organisation.

As an Associate Security Architect, you will help design and maintain secure architectures across the organisation, with a strong focus on AWS cloud environments. Working closely with delivery teams and stakeholders, you will apply security-by-design principles, ensure compliance with public sector security standards, and integrate security best practices throughout the development lifecycle. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the security and resilience of a national public service that supports people across Scotland.

A Security Architect designs and builds secure solutions.

In this role you will design and support secure systems and services by applying security architecture principles, advise delivery teams, and ensure controls are proportionate, standards aligned, and supportive of business outcomes.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities

• Design and review system architectures using recognised security patterns and Secure by Design principles and AWS well-architected security best practices.
• Recommend appropriate security controls aligned with organisational and government standards.
• Provide specialist security guidance to multidisciplinary delivery teams across design, build, and implementation phases, including cloud-native solutions hosted on AWS.
• Assess security risks, communicate implications, and advise risk owners on tolerances and mitigation.
• Maintain and evolve security documentation, patterns, and architectural artefacts.
• Promote security culture and ensure Secure by Design is understood and applied across programmes.
• Define, implement, and review AWS security controls and guardrails, including identity and access management, encryption, logging, monitoring, and network security capabilities.

Qualifications

Success Profiles  
We use an assessment framework called ‘Success Profiles’ which lists the elements we test and provides detailed descriptions of each. Find out more about the framework here.

For this post, the following Success Profile elements will be assessed: 

Experience: 

1. Demonstrable experience designing and implementing secure architectures across AWS cloud, hybrid and on-premises environments, applying recognised architectural patterns and producing clear security documentation. This should include experience applying AWS security principles and controls.
    

2. Knowledge of government-relevant security standards and frameworks, with the ability to apply these requirements within AWS environments support delivery teams in making secure design and implementation decisions.
    

3. Strong understanding of emerging threats, vulnerabilities and attacker techniques across AWS cloud, hybrid, and on-premises environment, with the ability to assess and communicate technical risks and security concepts effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Behaviours: 

• Leadership - Level 3
   

You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours here.

Technical / Professional Skills:  

This role is aligned to Security Architect within the Government Digital and Data Profession. 

These skills will be tested during the Technical Assessment if you are successful at sift stage. They will not be assessed at application stage.  Please review the following to understand the skill expectations: Security architect - Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework

How to Apply  
Apply online, you must provide a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 750 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the Experience and Behaviours listed in the Success Profiles above.  

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 

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the CV and Supporting Statement on the first Experience criteria. Candidates who pass the initial sift will have their applications fully assessed. 

There may be a telephone interview prior to the final interview stage. 

Candidates who pass the sift will be invited to an interview which will assess the Experience and Behaviours, and a technical assessment comprising a short presentation which will assess the Technical Skills. 

Full details of the interview and assessment process will be shared with shortlisted candidates once the sift has been completed.

We aim to provide feedback on request. However, if we receive a large number of applications it may not be possible for us to provide specific feedback on your application. We will provide feedback on request to candidates who attend an interview/assessment. 

Expected Timeline (subject to change) 
Sift - w/c 2nd November
Interview – w/c 30th November
Location - In Person in either Dundee or Glasgow

Reserve List   
In the event that there are more successful candidates than posts available, a reserve list will be kept for up to 12 months.  

About Us  
Social Security Scotland is an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government. Our benefits help people from all walks of life in Scotland. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles. We are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that is representative of the clients we serve.  Find more about us here.   

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.    

GDD Pay Supplement 
This post is part of the Government Digital and Data (GDD) profession and currently attracts a £4,000 annual GDD pay supplement, which is paid monthly - pay supplements are reviewed regularly. 

Working Pattern 
Our standard hours are 35 hours per week and we offer a range of flexible working options, depending on the needs of the role. We embrace a hybrid working style where all colleagues will spend time in either our Glasgow or Dundee offices. There is an expectation of a minimum 2 days per week in your assigned location, which will be either Glasgow or Dundee.  If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.  

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.  

This post requires the successful candidate to clear additional National Security Vetting clearance (Security Check) before a start date can be offered. Further information regarding National Security Vetting clearance can be found here - United Kingdom Security Vetting: Applicant - GOV.UK.

Equality Statement  
Social Security Scotland are committed to equality and inclusion, and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.    

Social Security Scotland are a Disability Confident Employer. We will consider and implement any reasonable adjustments you may require throughout the recruitment process and during the course of your employment, should you be successful in securing a post. If you feel you may require assistance with any part of our recruitment process, please contact us at Recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot. 

Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them. 

Right to Work in the UK 
Social Security Scotland is an approved sponsor under the UK Visa and Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker route. Please note that UK immigration guidance, including skill and salary thresholds and eligible occupations, is reviewed regularly and subject to change. If you require visa sponsorship, you should check the latest criteria to confirm whether this role meets current requirements before applying. You can find further advice at Skilled Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UK  

Further Information 
Social Security Scotland’s recruitment processes are underpinned by the recruitment principles of the Civil Service Commissioner, which outline that selection for appointment be made on merit on the basis of fair and open competition - Recruitment - Civil Service Commission   

If you feel at any time your application has not been treated in accordance with the values in the Civil Service Code and/or if you feel the recruitment has been conducted in such a way that conflicts with the Civil Service Commissioner’s Recruitment Principles, you can make a complaint, by contacting Social Security Scotland at recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commissioner. 

The successful candidate will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of 3 years unless successful in gaining promotion to a higher Band or Grade.   

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 experience any difficulties accessing our website or completing the online application form, please contact the Resourcing Team via recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot

Apply before 23:55 on Monday 2nd November at 23:55

Contact Name - Resourcing Team  
Contact email – Recruitment@socialsecurity.gov.scot