Solution Architect
Solution Architect
- Birmingham
- Bristol
- Cardiff
- Edinburgh
- Leeds
- Liverpool
- Manchester
- Newcastle-upon-Tyne
- Stratford
- Telford
- Worthing
- Amser llawn
- Gweithio’n hyblyg
- Rhan-amser
- Rhannu swydd
- Cau ar: Rha 9 2025
- £45,544 - £55,157
See what it's like to work at HMRC: find out more about us or ask our colleagues a question. Questions relating to an individual application must be emailed as detailed later in this advert.
We are looking for people who can help us rise to meet the challenge, so we want people with the right skills, behaviours and mindset, people who:
We're bolstering our solution architecture function - working on some of the most complex problems for the UK; simplifying how citizens engage with HMRC, managing the border and driving down on those who try to avoid their obligations for the benefit of our citizens.
Capability Allowance
GDAD allowance
This role attracts the GDAD allowance. Details below and how to apply.
What is a capability and skills assessment?
New entrants to the Civil Service will start their role on the pay range minimum for their grade. For existing civil servants, the usual policy on level transfer and promotion will apply and is non-negotiable.
An additional capability allowance may be payable, pending the outcome of a capability and skills assessment. HMRC use capability and skills assessments to determine an individual's total compensation, based on their grade, role and assessed proficiency level.
Candidates who have received a provisional job offer will be invited to complete a capability and skills assessment post-interview. This is a self-assessment of the defined skills as listed in the advert. This self-assessment and the evidence presented therein will be used to determine an applicant's capability allowance which is payable in addition to pay range minimum base salary.
You are advised that any additional allowance awarded is neither a contractual nor pensionable entitlement and is dependent on you remaining in a capability allowance qualifying role. This allowance is subject to an annual review in-line with departmental policies and processes as required. This allowance could be reduced or withdrawn at any time, in line with the HMRC allowance policy.
How is my capability allowance determined?
The amount of any capability allowance awarded is dependent on the outcome of the self-assessment which once submitted will be considered by HMRC.
Total compensation offered includes the base salary plus any capability allowance awarded for your HMRC assessed proficiency level at the amounts shown in the table below (up to Government Digital & Data Pay Framework maximums).
HMRC Capability Allowance
Accomplished - Up to £7,500
Proficient - Up to £4,500
Developing - Up to £2,000
Person specification
The successful individual will:
Essential Criteria
The applicants need to demonstrate in the application the following essential criteria:
This role requires the successful candidate to hold or be willing to hold Security Check (SC) clearance
Transitional Sites
For more information on where you might be working, review this information on our locations .
If your location preference is for one of the following sites, it's important to note that these are not long-term sites for HMRC and we will require you to move to a new building in the future, subject to our location strategy and the applicable employee policies at that time.
These sites are:
Leeds Locations
Moves Adjustment Payment will be available for this role, provided the successful applicant is a current HMRC colleague in Bradford and meets the eligibility requirements outlined in the HMRC's Moves Adjustment Payment guidance.
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £45,544, HM Revenue and Customs contributes £13,194 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
HMRC operates both Flexible and Hybrid Working policies, allowing you to balance your work and personal commitments. We welcome applications from those who need to work a more flexible arrangement and will agree to requests where possible, considering our operational and customer service needs.
We offer a generous leave allowance, starting at 25 days and increasing by a day for every year of qualifying service up to a maximum of 30 days.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
How to Apply
As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide the following:
When giving details in your CV you should highlight your experience in line with the Essential Criteria listed in the advert, including details of the work and projects that you have been involved in, and your role therein.
Important information
• Please attach your CV as a separate additional document in either PDF or word format no bigger than 5MB.
• Personal details that could be used to identify you including your name, contact details and address must be removed for your application to be considered.
• Please do not include any personal details in your document title.
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements 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, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Sift
At full sift your CV will be assessed, with the successful candidates being invited to interview.
We may also raise the score required at any stage of the process if we receive a high number of applications.
Interview
During the panel interview, you will be assessed against the Essential Criteria and your Experience.
Interviews will take place via video link.
Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.
Eligibility
Please take extra care to tick the correct boxes in the eligibility sections of your application form. We understand mistakes sometimes happen but if you contact us later than two working days(Monday-Friday) before the vacancy closes, we will not be able to reopen your application for you. If you do make a mistake with your eligibility form, please contact us via: unitybusinessservicesrecruitmentresults@hmrc.gov.uk - Use the subject line to insert appropriate wording for example - 'Please re-open my application - [insert vacancy ref] & vacancy closing date [insert date]'.
To check that you are eligible to apply for this role, please review the eligibility information before submitting your application .
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles - if this applies to you, we'll let you know via your Civil Service Jobs account.
Criminal Record Check
Applications received from candidates with a criminal record are considered fairly in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice and the Recruitment of ex-offenders Policy.
Merit List
After interview, a single merit list will be created, and you will only be considered for posts in locations you have expressed a preference for. Appointments will be made in strict merit order in line with the set number of roles in each location.
Hybrid working at HMRC
HMRC is an office-based organisation, and colleagues are expected to spend 60% of their working time in the office. Our offices provide opportunity for interaction, collaboration which aids learning and development and a sense of community. Where the role allows it, and where the home environment is suitable, colleagues can work from home for up to 2 days a week, averaged over a calendar month (or a proportionate amount of time for colleagues who work less than full time).
Reasonable Adjustments
We want to make sure no one is put at a disadvantage during our recruitment process. To assist you with this, we will reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
Additional Security Information
Please note: in addition to the standard pre-employment checks for appointment into the Civil Service, all candidates must also obtain National Security Vetting at Security Check (SC) clearance level for this vacancy. You will normally need to meet the minimum UK residency period as determined by the level of vetting being undertaken, which for SC is 5 years UK residency prior to your vetting application. If you have any questions about this residency requirement, please speak to the vacancy holder for this post.
Important information for existing HMRC contractual homeworkers:
This role may be suitable for existing HMRC employees who are contractual homeworkers. Occasional attendance to the office will be required where there is a business need. Please consider the advertised office locations for this role when applying and only select locations from the 'location preferences' section that you can travel to.
Terms and Conditions
Customer facing roles in HMRC require the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English and/or Welsh where required. Where this is an essential requirement, this will be tested as part of the selection process.
HMRC has a presence in every region of the UK. For more information on where you might be working, review this information on our locations .
The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. The evidence you provide in your application must relate to your own experiences.
Any instances of plagiarism or other forms of cheating will be investigated and, if proven, the relevant application(s) will be withdrawn from the process.
Recording of interviews is prohibited unless explicit agreement is sought in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulations.
Questions relating to an individual application must be emailed as detailed later in this advert.
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant's details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
New entrants will join on the minimum of the pay band.
Please note that, if you are applying for roles on a part-time basis, the salary agreed will be pro-rata, reflective of the working hours agreed within your contract.
If you experience accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
For more Information for people applying for, or thinking of applying for, roles at HM Revenue and Customs, please see link: Working for HMRC: information for applicants - GOV.UK .
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window) .
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window) .
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window) .
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window) .
Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. You have the right to complain if you feel there has been a breach of the Recruitment Principles. In the first instance, you should raise the matter directly via ubsrecruitmentcomplaints@hmrc.gov.uk. Please note that we do not accept complaints or appeals regarding scoring of outcomes of campaigns, unless candidates can provide clear evidence that the campaign did not follow the Recruitment Principles. If you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their website.
Attachments
Candidate Pack EA & SA Recruitment Opens in new window (docx, 48kB)
We are looking for people who can help us rise to meet the challenge, so we want people with the right skills, behaviours and mindset, people who:
- Have a fascination in how technology is evolving, and you know the world is changing and want to be a part of that through creating IT solution designs.
- Enjoy being a part of building out technology projects that deliver results.
- Have an interest in, or knowledge of, machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies.
- Can solve real world business problems through creative IT solutions.
- Can work collaboratively as part of a larger team.
We're bolstering our solution architecture function - working on some of the most complex problems for the UK; simplifying how citizens engage with HMRC, managing the border and driving down on those who try to avoid their obligations for the benefit of our citizens.
Capability Allowance
GDAD allowance
This role attracts the GDAD allowance. Details below and how to apply.
What is a capability and skills assessment?
New entrants to the Civil Service will start their role on the pay range minimum for their grade. For existing civil servants, the usual policy on level transfer and promotion will apply and is non-negotiable.
An additional capability allowance may be payable, pending the outcome of a capability and skills assessment. HMRC use capability and skills assessments to determine an individual's total compensation, based on their grade, role and assessed proficiency level.
Candidates who have received a provisional job offer will be invited to complete a capability and skills assessment post-interview. This is a self-assessment of the defined skills as listed in the advert. This self-assessment and the evidence presented therein will be used to determine an applicant's capability allowance which is payable in addition to pay range minimum base salary.
You are advised that any additional allowance awarded is neither a contractual nor pensionable entitlement and is dependent on you remaining in a capability allowance qualifying role. This allowance is subject to an annual review in-line with departmental policies and processes as required. This allowance could be reduced or withdrawn at any time, in line with the HMRC allowance policy.
How is my capability allowance determined?
The amount of any capability allowance awarded is dependent on the outcome of the self-assessment which once submitted will be considered by HMRC.
Total compensation offered includes the base salary plus any capability allowance awarded for your HMRC assessed proficiency level at the amounts shown in the table below (up to Government Digital & Data Pay Framework maximums).
HMRC Capability Allowance
Accomplished - Up to £7,500
Proficient - Up to £4,500
Developing - Up to £2,000
Person specification
The successful individual will:
- Be a good communicator and able to describe technical issues to non-technical stakeholders and conversely be able to understand and liaise with technical specialists.
- Work in highly collaboratively environment, under the supervision of lead architects to undertake structured analysis of business issues and translate these into technical designs.
- Be able to operate independently from the team when needed to drive forward team objectives outcomes.
- Identify and own design related issues/problems, ensuring that these issues are resolved in a proactive way.
- Engage and influence business stakeholders to support the HMRC IT Strategy and broader technology landscape.
- Work collaboratively with business and project stakeholders.
- Understand governance process for solution architecture and approval at various stages in the project life cycle.
- Understand and elicit high-level functional and non-functional requirements of solutions, working with key stakeholders and business analysts.
- Produce ad hoc solutions or viewpoints relating to stakeholder problems using a range of architecture, analysis or consultancy techniques.
- Impact strategic change portfolios to understand the effect on IT systems, the most effective delivery approach and the impact of any changes on dependent deliveries.
- Have a good understanding of what is meant by Solution Architecture and Enterprise Architecture and be enthusiastic and keen to develop skills within the IT organization.
- Be a logical and structured thinker.
- Have a keen interest in technology and how it can enable business outcomes.
- Be a team player with an aptitude and ability to work in a multidisciplinary team but also be prepared to work with minimal supervision.
- Be comfortable working with uncertainty and helping bring clarity and order to stakeholder thinking.
- Responsible for producing technical IT Solution Designs on projects that align to the HMRC IT Strategy and deliver business outcomes.
- Responsibility for authoring costed design documentation, working closely with business stakeholders and technical architects to create cohesive solutions that meet the business and user needs.
- Working with Delivery Teams and partners to ensure the Solution Design is delivered and implemented.
- Building strong relationships with key business and CDIO partners.
Essential Criteria
The applicants need to demonstrate in the application the following essential criteria:
- You will have a good understanding of development of solution designs and experience of architectural IT Change.
- Strong stakeholder management and engagement skills.
- Understand how to present technical information to non-technical business partners.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
- Team player and a logical, structured thinker who can adapt to changing business needs.
- Capable of making effective decisions and explaining clearly how they have been reached.
- Able to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team but also be prepared to work with minimal supervision.
- Have an interest and understanding of evolving IT Technologies such as Social, Mobile, Cloud, AI, Advanced Analytics, etc and understanding of how they can enable business outcomes.
This role requires the successful candidate to hold or be willing to hold Security Check (SC) clearance
Transitional Sites
For more information on where you might be working, review this information on our locations .
If your location preference is for one of the following sites, it's important to note that these are not long-term sites for HMRC and we will require you to move to a new building in the future, subject to our location strategy and the applicable employee policies at that time.
These sites are:
- Benton Park View, Newcastle - moving to Pilgrims Quarter, Newcastle
- Telford Plaza, Telford - moving to Parkside Court, Telford
Leeds Locations
Moves Adjustment Payment will be available for this role, provided the successful applicant is a current HMRC colleague in Bradford and meets the eligibility requirements outlined in the HMRC's Moves Adjustment Payment guidance.
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £45,544, HM Revenue and Customs contributes £13,194 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
HMRC operates both Flexible and Hybrid Working policies, allowing you to balance your work and personal commitments. We welcome applications from those who need to work a more flexible arrangement and will agree to requests where possible, considering our operational and customer service needs.
We offer a generous leave allowance, starting at 25 days and increasing by a day for every year of qualifying service up to a maximum of 30 days.
- Pension - We make contributions to our colleagues' Alpha pension equal to at least 28.97% of their salary.
- Family friendly policies.
- Personal support.
- Coaching and development.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
How to Apply
As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide the following:
- A name-blind CV including your job history and previous experiences.
When giving details in your CV you should highlight your experience in line with the Essential Criteria listed in the advert, including details of the work and projects that you have been involved in, and your role therein.
Important information
• Please attach your CV as a separate additional document in either PDF or word format no bigger than 5MB.
• Personal details that could be used to identify you including your name, contact details and address must be removed for your application to be considered.
• Please do not include any personal details in your document title.
Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements 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, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Sift
At full sift your CV will be assessed, with the successful candidates being invited to interview.
We may also raise the score required at any stage of the process if we receive a high number of applications.
Interview
During the panel interview, you will be assessed against the Essential Criteria and your Experience.
Interviews will take place via video link.
Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.
Eligibility
Please take extra care to tick the correct boxes in the eligibility sections of your application form. We understand mistakes sometimes happen but if you contact us later than two working days(Monday-Friday) before the vacancy closes, we will not be able to reopen your application for you. If you do make a mistake with your eligibility form, please contact us via: unitybusinessservicesrecruitmentresults@hmrc.gov.uk - Use the subject line to insert appropriate wording for example - 'Please re-open my application - [insert vacancy ref] & vacancy closing date [insert date]'.
To check that you are eligible to apply for this role, please review the eligibility information before submitting your application .
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles - if this applies to you, we'll let you know via your Civil Service Jobs account.
Criminal Record Check
Applications received from candidates with a criminal record are considered fairly in accordance with the DBS Code of Practice and the Recruitment of ex-offenders Policy.
Merit List
After interview, a single merit list will be created, and you will only be considered for posts in locations you have expressed a preference for. Appointments will be made in strict merit order in line with the set number of roles in each location.
Hybrid working at HMRC
HMRC is an office-based organisation, and colleagues are expected to spend 60% of their working time in the office. Our offices provide opportunity for interaction, collaboration which aids learning and development and a sense of community. Where the role allows it, and where the home environment is suitable, colleagues can work from home for up to 2 days a week, averaged over a calendar month (or a proportionate amount of time for colleagues who work less than full time).
Reasonable Adjustments
We want to make sure no one is put at a disadvantage during our recruitment process. To assist you with this, we will reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
- Contact the UBS Recruitment team via unitybusinessservicesrecruitmentresults@hmrc.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Additional Security Information
Please note: in addition to the standard pre-employment checks for appointment into the Civil Service, all candidates must also obtain National Security Vetting at Security Check (SC) clearance level for this vacancy. You will normally need to meet the minimum UK residency period as determined by the level of vetting being undertaken, which for SC is 5 years UK residency prior to your vetting application. If you have any questions about this residency requirement, please speak to the vacancy holder for this post.
Important information for existing HMRC contractual homeworkers:
This role may be suitable for existing HMRC employees who are contractual homeworkers. Occasional attendance to the office will be required where there is a business need. Please consider the advertised office locations for this role when applying and only select locations from the 'location preferences' section that you can travel to.
Terms and Conditions
Customer facing roles in HMRC require the ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English and/or Welsh where required. Where this is an essential requirement, this will be tested as part of the selection process.
HMRC has a presence in every region of the UK. For more information on where you might be working, review this information on our locations .
The Civil Service values honesty and integrity and expects all candidates to abide by these principles. The evidence you provide in your application must relate to your own experiences.
Any instances of plagiarism or other forms of cheating will be investigated and, if proven, the relevant application(s) will be withdrawn from the process.
Recording of interviews is prohibited unless explicit agreement is sought in line with the UK General Data Protection Regulations.
Questions relating to an individual application must be emailed as detailed later in this advert.
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant's details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
New entrants will join on the minimum of the pay band.
Please note that, if you are applying for roles on a part-time basis, the salary agreed will be pro-rata, reflective of the working hours agreed within your contract.
If you experience accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
For more Information for people applying for, or thinking of applying for, roles at HM Revenue and Customs, please see link: Working for HMRC: information for applicants - GOV.UK .
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window) .
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window) .
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window) .
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window) .
Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Deb Hermiston
- Email : deb.hermiston@hmrc.gov.uk
- Email : unitybusinessservicesrecruitmentresults@hmrc.gov.uk
Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. You have the right to complain if you feel there has been a breach of the Recruitment Principles. In the first instance, you should raise the matter directly via ubsrecruitmentcomplaints@hmrc.gov.uk. Please note that we do not accept complaints or appeals regarding scoring of outcomes of campaigns, unless candidates can provide clear evidence that the campaign did not follow the Recruitment Principles. If you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their website.
Attachments
Candidate Pack EA & SA Recruitment Opens in new window (docx, 48kB)
