Principal Cloud Architect (365 Platform)
Apply for the Principal Cloud Architect (365 Platform) role at The Scottish Government.
Base pay range: £80,000.00–£95,000.00 (actual pay based on skills and experience).
Location: Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom. Standard hours: 35 hours per week with flexible working.
Job overview
Lead the design, integration, and governance of Microsoft cloud platforms such as Azure and M365. As a subject matter expert you will shape technical roadmaps, ensure security and operational compliance, and guide teams in applying best practice architecture standards. You will work closely with product, engineering, and DDaT colleagues to support the evolving needs of Scottish public services.
Responsibilities
* Present recommendations for technologies or system improvements to support project goals, based on IT knowledge and analysis of business and system needs.
* Evaluate the success of integrated solutions, identifying best practices and lessons learned.
* Act as a key contributor to architecture governance activities, ensuring the adoption of best practice and appropriate technology architecture standards.
* Contribute to the overall technical strategy and roadmap for the department within your area of expertise.
* Own the technical roadmap for services across a defined domain.
* Develop and document technical designs for the integration and implementation of technology solutions, working across DDaT and wider business teams.
* Ensure designs meet required security and operational standards.
* Act as a subject matter expert, ensuring recommendations and designs align with wider organisational and cross‑government strategies.
* Own designated digital components, ensuring their design and implementation align with broader architectural patterns and direction.
Success Profile
Experience
* Demonstrating detailed knowledge of technical requirements to implement, design and manage a range of Microsoft technologies including 365, Azure and Power Platform.
* Designing complex technology solutions recognising time, cost and quality targets and constraints.
* Providing technical leadership and expertise on large projects or critical workstreams in larger programmes.
* Anticipating and advising on future technology that present opportunities for the Scottish Microsoft Platform.
Experience is assessed at sift, with a more in‑depth assessment at interview.
Technical Skills
This role is aligned to the Technical Architect job role within the Architecture job family. The required skills will be assessed by a technical assessment. Candidates reaching this stage will receive a Technical Assessment Candidate Pack.
Behaviours
* Managing a Quality Service – Level 4
* Making Effective Decisions – Level 4
How to Apply
Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (no more than 750 words) which provides evidence of how you meet each of the four experience criteria listed in the Success Profile above. If a large number of applications are received an initial sift will be conducted on the Lead Criteria highlighted above. Candidates who pass the initial sift will have their applications fully assessed against the remaining experience criteria.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application but all statements and examples must be truthful and taken directly from your own experience. Plagiarism or presentation of AI‑generated content as your own will result in withdrawal of the application.
Interviews and DDaT Technical assessments are scheduled for the week commencing 2nd February 2026, with a sift scheduled for the week commencing 12th January 2026.
Apply Before: 11th January (23:59).
About Us
The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland, responsible for education, health, the economy, justice, housing, and transport. Our staff are part of the UK Civil Service and work for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services.
Working Pattern
Standard hours are 35 hours per week, with flexible working including full‑time, part‑time, flexitime, and compressed hours. From October 2025, staff in hybrid‑compatible roles must work in‑person 40% of the time either in an office or an agreed work location.
Security Checks
Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) before appointment. BPSS includes Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions). Further information is available on the UK Government website.
DDaT Pay Supplement
This post is part of the Scottish Government Digital, Data and Technology (DDAT) profession. It attracts a £5,000.00 annual DDAT pay supplement, applicable after a 3‑month competency qualifying period.
Equality Statement
We are committed to equality and inclusion, and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects Scotland’s population. We have recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.
Questions about the role? Contact Digitalcareers@gov.scot.
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