Senior Solution Architect (AI)

Job description

Job summary

Across government, the adoption of artificial intelligence is reshaping how organisations design services, make decisions and deliver outcomes. As AI capabilities expand, the need for robust architectural design becomes critical to ensure solutions are scalable, secure and aligned with both organisational strategy and ethical standards. Ofgem plays a vital role in the UKs energy system, protecting consumers and enabling a more secure, fair and sustainable energy future, and the responsible use of AI is central to delivering this mission.

Ofgem is on an ambitious transformation journey. Within the Digital, Data and Security Services (DDSS) directorate, we are building a modern data and AI capability to support innovation, improve decision-making and enhance service delivery. This includes designing and deploying AI-driven solutions that are integrated into wider enterprise architecture and governed by strong standards around security, transparency and ethics.

As a Senior Solution Architect (AI), you will lead the design and assurance of AI and data-driven solutions across a range of programmes and services. You will work closely with data scientists, engineers and business stakeholders to ensure that AI systems are scalable, secure and aligned with organisational goals. You will also play a key role in shaping architectural standards and governance, ensuring that AI is implemented responsibly and effectively.

This is a senior role requiring a strong blend of technical expertise, architectural thinking and stakeholder engagement. You will operate across multiple initiatives, balancing strategic direction with hands-on design and assurance responsibilities.

Job description

You will be responsible for:

• Leading the architectural design and assurance of AI and machine learning solutions, ensuring they meet standards for scalability, security and performance.
• Ensuring alignment between AI solutions and Ofgems enterprise architecture, promoting interoperability and reuse across systems and platforms.
• Defining and maintaining architecture artefacts and documentation using recognised frameworks such as TOGAF and modern data modelling approaches.
• Working closely with stakeholders, including data scientists, engineers and business teams, to translate requirements into effective technical designs.
• Providing architectural governance and assurance, identifying and mitigating risks across multiple programmes and delivery teams.
• Evaluating emerging AI technologies and recommending solutions that enhance capability while ensuring compliance with ethical and governance frameworks.
• Supporting the development of AI architecture standards and best practice, promoting responsible and explainable AI across the organisation.
• Communicating complex architectural concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences, influencing decision-making at senior levels.
• Coaching and supporting other architects, contributing to capability development and consistency across architecture practices.

We are looking for:

A technically strong and strategically minded architect who can design and assure AI solutions within a complex organisation. You will bring experience of solution architecture, alongside an understanding of AI and data-driven systems, and the ability to influence across a wide range of stakeholders.

You may come from a solution architecture, data architecture or AI engineering background, but you will demonstrate:

• Experience designing and assuring AI or data-driven solutions within an enterprise environment
• Strong understanding of enterprise architecture principles and frameworks
• Knowledge of AI governance, ethical AI and data management considerations
• The ability to balance technical design with business requirements and strategic priorities
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and translate complex concepts clearly

Relevant certifications such as Azure AI Engineer, AI Solutions Architect or equivalent architectural qualifications are expected (or willingness to obtain).

Experience designing AI solutions in Azure environments, including tools such as Azure Machine Learning, Copilot Studio or AI Foundry, would be beneficial.

This is an opportunity to play a key role in shaping how Ofgem designs and delivers AI solutions. You will ensure that AI adoption is architecturally sound, scalable and responsible, supporting innovation while maintaining strong governance and trust.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Demonstrates proven experience in designing and assuring AI technical solutions that align with enterprise architecture principles and business objectives. (Lead Criteria)
• Demonstrates understanding of ethical AI, data governance, and explain ability frameworks within enterprise or public sector contexts. (Lead Criteria)
• Applies sound understanding of responsible and explainable AI principles to ensure solutions are ethical, secure, and transparent in their operation and outcomes.

Holds or can obtain the following certifications or equivalent within 6 months:

• Formal Architectural Qualification such as Microsoft Certified Azure AI Engineer Associate, Microsoft Certified Agentic AI Business Solutions Architect or IBM Applied AI Professional.

Desirable Criteria

• Experienced in designing or deploying AI and machine learning services on Azure, such as Azure Machine Learning Co-pilot, Co-pilot studio and AI foundry.

#LI-DNI

Behaviours

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

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

Technical skills

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

• You will also be asked to conduct a Technical Test. Full details of the Technical Test will be disclosed if you progress through sift stage.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of 49,452, OFGEM contributes 14,326 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

Ofgem can offer you a comprehensive and competitive benefits package which includes; 30 days annual leave after 2 years; Excellent training and development opportunities; The opportunity to join the generous Civil Service pension which also includes a valuable range of benefits; hybrid working (currently 1 day a week in the office but this is kept under review), flexible working hours and family friendly policies. Plus lots of other benefits including clean and bright offices based centrally, engaged networks and teams and an opportunity to contribute to our ambitious and important targets of establishing a Net Zero energy system by 2050. This exciting blend of professional challenge and personal reward identifies career opportunities at Ofgem as something to get excited about.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence
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 (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

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

When you press the Apply now button, you will be asked to complete personal details (not seen by the sift panel), your career history and qualifications.

You will then be asked to provide a 1250 word supporting statement evidencing how you meet the essential and desirable criteria on the attached role profile.

Please ensure you demonstrate clearly how you meet each of the person specification criteria.

The personal information we have collected from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected, you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, and your data protection rights, can be found by [ https://www.cifas.org.uk/fpn ].

At Ofgem, we expect our staff to carry out their roles with honesty, fairness and openness. They should follow the Civil Service code and be free from any influence or bias. We are committed to making sure interests are recognised, declared and managed appropriately so that we can fulfil our duties as an energy regulator. Our Conflicts of Interest policy outlines the types of interests Ofgem staff must declare before onboarding, and the rules they must follow throughout employment so that we can clearly demonstrate that our decisions are not influenced by private interests.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) 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

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.

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.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window) .

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 : Amber Shankland
• Email : [email protected]

Recruitment team

• Email : [email protected]

Further information

Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commissions Recruitment Principles. You have the right to complain if you feel there has been a breach of these Recruitment Principles. In the first instance, you should raise the matter directly via [email protected]. 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 DDSS Role Profile Senior Solution Architect (AI) (2b) (2).pdf Opens in new window (crdownload, 327kB) DDSS Candidate Pack, Senior Solution Architect (AI) (1).pdf Opens in new window (crdownload, 738kB) Terms and Conditions Opens in new window (pdf, 335kB)