Enterprise Architect (AI), British Intelligence Agencies
MI6
£89.2-100.6k
OTE
£89.2k
BASE
£89,192 basic with a recruitment and retention allowance of £11,380, with an opportunity to qualify for additional allowances and a skills-related payment under the Government Digital and Data Profession Capability (GDDPC) Framework - formerly known as DDaT.
More information about location
4-5 days a week in office
UK's domestic and foreign intelligence services
Be an early applicant
UK's domestic and foreign intelligence services
1001+ employees
Be an early applicant
£89.2-100.6k
OTE
£89.2k
BASE
£89,192 basic with a recruitment and retention allowance of £11,380, with an opportunity to qualify for additional allowances and a skills-related payment under the Government Digital and Data Profession Capability (GDDPC) Framework - formerly known as DDaT.
More information about location
4-5 days a week in office
1001+ employees
Company mission
MI5, MI6 and GCHQ work together to protect the UK from a range of national security and overseas threats, keeping citizens safe.
Role
Who you are
- You have experience working in modern enterprise architecture or systems engineering roles, ideally within data rich or technology led environments. Your background has given you a strong understanding of how to shape business and technology architectures, and you’re confident supporting delivery teams working at pace across multiple domains. You’ve had exposure to AI – through architectural work, transformation programmes or hands on collaboration with AI/ML teams – and you’re motivated to continue developing your AI expertise
- You bring structure and clarity to complex environments, translating business needs into coherent architectural direction. You’re comfortable developing models, assessing architectural options and managing risks that come with significant technical decisions. You know how to balance innovation with governance, ensuring that AI is adopted safely, effectively and in line with regulatory and organisational standards
- Communication is one of your strengths. You can explain technical concepts clearly for non technical colleagues, build trusted relationships across disciplines and give senior stakeholders the insight they need to make well informed decisions. You’re credible and collaborative, and confident working with engineers, product teams and policy specialists alike
- Above all, you thrive in environments shaped by complexity and change. You care about designing systems that are resilient, scalable and aligned to mission needs. Curiosity and adaptability are core to how you work, and you’re motivated to help MI6 use AI to enhance operations, improve efficiency and support colleagues across the organisation
- To work at MI6, you need to be a British citizen or hold dual British nationality. Read about our eligibility criteria https://www.sis.gov.uk/how-to-apply/eligibility/
What the job involves
- We’re creating dedicated teams focused on bringing AI into some of our most mission critical areas, helping develop technologies that enhance how MI6 operates today and prepare us for the challenges of tomorrow. This Enterprise Architect (AI) role sits at the centre of that transformation. It’s a rare opportunity to shape how AI is embedded across the organisation, in a role that offers influence, variety and the chance to work at national security scale
- As an Enterprise Architect (AI), you’ll help ensure our technology landscape is coherent, future ready and able to support complex operational needs. You’ll work closely with delivery teams while also shaping strategy from the centre, advising on how AI can be used to augment, accelerate or automate existing capabilities
- Much of your work will be in environments where ambiguity is the norm. You’ll help senior leaders understand what AI can deliver, where it can create meaningful mission advantage and how to prioritise opportunities as the technology evolves. Your judgement, curiosity and critical thinking will help to guide the organisation through rapid technological change
- Day to day, you’ll work closely with architects, engineers, product owners, analysts and delivery colleagues to map capabilities, evaluate architectural options and integrate AI safely and effectively across systems. You’ll develop business and technology architecture artefacts, maintain our Enterprise Technology Roadmap and ensure that AI driven capabilities align with strategic goals. You’ll also oversee end to end capability integration, monitor architecture risks and help maintain strong governance, assurance and interoperability as teams experiment, iterate and deliver at pace
- This role offers the chance to work on architecture challenges you won’t encounter elsewhere. You may embed AI into long standing operational tools, identify where automation and intelligent augmentation can free our people to focus on what matters most or help introduce AI in ways that are ethical, secure and compliant. Throughout, you’ll ensure AI is applied where it genuinely enhances mission outcomes. As we continue to evolve into a more digitally driven organisation, your expertise will play a key part in shaping our future and ensuring our systems remain resilient, effective and ready for the next wave of innovation
Application process
- An initial online application form
- Online Situational Judgement Test (SJT) rating the appropriateness of your responses to a series of short scenarios. The SJT tests criteria important for all roles in our organisation
- Application sift looking at your skills and motivation for the role and organisation
- An online HR interview focusing on motivation and competencies important to the role
- If successful at the HR interview, you will be invited to a face to face technical assessment based around the GDDPC (DDaT) framework
- If successful you will receive a conditional offer of employment
Salary benchmarks
Our take
The British Intelligence Agencies - GCHQ, MI5 and MI6 play crucial roles in protecting the nation from a range of security threats. By focusing on counterterrorism, espionage, and cyber threats, the unified force works to safeguard the public and support law enforcement agencies. Its work, largely behind the scenes, is pivotal in ensuring national security.
With origins dating back to the 19th century, each of the British Intelligence Agencies plays a specific role within the security services. GCHQ focuses on signal intelligence gathering and information assurance, MI5 on counterterrorism and national security, whilst MI6 is focused on foreign intelligence and overseas security. This evolution into three specific organisations reflects the agency's ability to stay ahead of emerging security challenges, adjusting its strategy and operations as needed.
As technology and global threats change, the British Intelligence Agencies' approaches continue to evolve, ensuring the UK's security remains a top priority. With its deep expertise and ongoing adaptation, they are major key players in protecting national and international interests, whilst responding to complex security dynamics.
Kirsty
Company Specialist at Welcome to the Jungle
Company
Company benefits
- Merit awards – we have a merit award system to recognise exceptional contributions by individuals or team
- Flexible working – opportunities to work part-time, compressed hours or as a job share are available, dependent on the role and business needs
- Pension – we understand the importance of saving for retirement and offer a desirable pension scheme, which gives you a guaranteed pension based on career average earnings
- Annual leave – our employees are entitled to 25 days annual leave, rising to 30 days after five years’ service. In addition to this, employees are entitled to public and privilege holidays. Part-time employees receive the same entitlement calculated on a pro-rata basis
- Maternity and paternity leave – we offer maternity and paternity leave over and above the statutory entitlements
- Voluntary service leave – we offer special leave for our employees who wish to undertake voluntary work
- Rented accommodation loan – moving house to take up an offer of employment can be expensive. We offer new joiners the opportunity to take out an interest-free loan of up to £2,500, via our benevolent fund, to assist with the financial burden of relocating into privately rented accommodation. You will be sent an application for the loan at the point of receiving a final offer of employment
- Season ticket loan – we recognise that travel expenses from your home to the office can be significant, so we offer an interest-free season ticket loan which can be used for travel, car park costs or the purchase of a bicycle
- On-site facilities – there is a gym, restaurant, and coffee bar at some locations
- Clubs and societies – we offer a range of sports clubs, fitness classes, societies, and language training facilities
- Childcare Vouchers – we offer two childcare voucher schemes which provide a simple and cost-effective way for employees to receive help towards the cost of childcare
- Eye Voucher Scheme – we offer eye care vouchers and a financial contribution towards prescription glasses
- Physiotherapy – we offer subsidised in-house physiotherapy
- Personal learning – all our staff can undertake professional development to improve their skills and performance in the workplace
Company HQ
Manchester, UK
Articles
Leadership
Ken McCallum
(Director General)An MI5 Officer with over 25 years of experience in national security and intelligence. Their career has spanned roles in counterterrorism, cyber security, and leading MI5's strategic response to major incidents. They were appointed Director General in 2020 and previously served as Deputy Director General and Director General of Strategy.
Blaise Metreweli
(Chief)Blaise joined the Service in 1999 and has had a range of roles, most recently Director General Technology & Innovation (Q). She has spent most of her career operationally in the Middle East & Europe.
Anne Keast-Butler
(Director)Became the first female Director of GCHQ in May 2023. Previously served as Deputy Director General at MI5, where they led operational and investigative work, including responding to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. With over 30 years in national security, they have held key roles in MI5, GCHQ, and Whitehall, including launching the National Security Programme.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at British Intelligence Agencies
- At the Intelligence Agencies, diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission. To protect the UK, we need a truly diverse workforce that reflects the society we serve. This includes diversity in every sense of the word: those with different backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, ways of thinking, and those with disabilities or neurodivergent conditions. We therefore welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including those from groups that are underrepresented in our workforce, such as women, those from ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities, and those from low socio-economic backgrounds. Find out more about our culture, working environment, and diversity on our website: https://www.gchq-careers.co.uk/life-at-gchq/diversity-inclusion.html
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