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GCHQ is recruiting Associate Enterprise Architects to help shape and evolve the enterprise architecture that underpins its unique national‑security mission. This is a rare opportunity to work on cutting‑edge, often one‑of‑a‑kind technology , while developing your skills alongside experienced senior architects. You’ll be working in an organisation where: The technology is complex, bespoke and constantly evolving Architectural decisions directly support mission‑critical outcomes Learning is continuous, practical and encouraged What you’ll be doing As an Associate Enterprise Architect, you’ll: Translate organisational goals into clear, actionable architectural designs Work closely with delivery teams to shape solutions across technology, data and business processes Contribute to architectural analysis, designs and documentation Identify risks, constraints and trade‑offs early, helping teams make informed decisions Apply best practice, standards and emerging approaches in real‑world environments Collaborate with architects, engineers, delivery leads and project managers across GCHQ

This is an opportunity to work as an Enterprise Architect on some of the UK’s most complex and critical technology environments. You’ll help shape and embed enterprise architecture across a defined area of the organisation, guiding technical direction, influencing senior decision-makers, and managing architectural risk. You’ll work at the intersection of technology, data, digital and business change , applying your expertise to high‑impact challenges while supporting and developing other architects as your role grows. What you’ll be doing Leading architectural design across a complex portfolio of programmes and services Shaping and maintaining enterprise architecture artefacts that support long‑term strategic goals Advising senior stakeholders and translating complex architecture into clear, actionable guidance Influencing decisions, managing dependencies, and identifying risks early Working closely with engineers, delivery teams, business colleagues and external partners Supporting and mentoring other architects, with line management responsibilities as you become established Collaborating across departments and occasionally travelling to UK sites to support joined‑up working

Why this role? As a Lead Technical Architect , you’ll help modernise and evolve the National DNA Database , ensuring it can meet new demands while remaining secure, resilient and trustworthy . About the programme The National DNA Database is cloud‑hosted and operates in a highly sensitive, regulated environment. It sits at the intersection of: Policing and forensic services Regulators and legal frameworks Modern cloud and microservices architecture You’ll work across Home Office Biometrics , the Forensic Information Database Service (FINDS), policing stakeholders, regulators and delivery partners, translating complex operational and regulatory needs into robust technical solutions. What you’ll be doing As Lead Technical Architect, you will: Define and own the technical strategy and roadmap for DNA services Set standards and target architecture aligned to wider government and Home Office strategy Own the application architecture (AWS microservices) and associated user environments Work closely with users (policing, FINDS, regulators) to translate requirements into deliverable solutions Lead and assure supplier designs, applying Secure by Design principles Carry out architectural assurance on supplier deliverables Ensure solutions are secure, resilient, auditable and compliant with data protection and legal requirements Balance near‑term delivery with long‑term scalability and maintainability Identify and mitigate technical and operational risks Support FinOps and continuous improvement Champion modern practices and emerging technologies Contribute to and lead within the Home Office Biometrics architecture community