About the role
We're looking for an exceptional Lead Technical Architect - AI Operations to help us make a difference to our planet. From edge computing to supercomputing, at the Met Office, we use a diverse set of cutting-edge technologies to drive our innovative projects. Our tech stack includes Python and JavaScript for a wide range of applications, from scientific computing to web development. Our cloud infrastructure spans AWS and Azure, where we embrace containerization using Docker and serverless architectures to ensure scalability and efficiency. Additionally, we are making ever greater use of machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies to enhance our weather and climate predictions. Join us to work with these exciting technologies and more, as we push the boundaries of weather and climate science.
To find out more about Technology at the Met Office, please take a look online on our website.
About the Met Office
From science to technology, from meteorology to management and from planning to communication, our expertise helps us to stand out as the authority on weather accuracy and climate prediction. We help individuals, industries and government to make better decisions to stay safe and thrive. To find out more about the Met Office, please visit our website.
Your world of expertise
We are looking for an exceptional Lead Technical Architect to help us make a difference to our planet. AI Operations provides Met Office scientists and operational meteorologists the platform, tools, and expert guidance needed to do foundational AI research, develop valuable datasets, and then rapidly pull-through to operations data-driven weather and climate services. You will lead the technical design and implementation of this platform. Your key duties
1. Lead the technical and architectural design decisions for the AI Operations platform, to meet the requirements of Met Office research, development and operational AI workloads.
2. Provide leadership and influence within the Met Office community of technical architects to ensure that designed solutions integrate with existing operational systems and have a clear path to customer adoption.
3. Establish governance structures that assure the platform meets stakeholder, regulatory, security and financial requirements.
4. Evaluate vendors and partners to identify the most effective route to delivery.
5. Manage a team of DevOps engineers and key vendors/ partner relationships to implement agreed solutions.
Why join us
Our work is life-changing, often lifesaving and always life-enhancing. The Met Office is accredited as a 'Great Place to Work UK 2023' and in addition has achieved a place on both the UK's 'Best Workplaces in Tech' and Best Workplaces for Women' lists.
As our Lead Technical Architect your total reward package will be up to £79,530 annually, which includes:
6. £52,799 base pay
7. An outstanding Civil Service pension, with an average employer contribution of 28.95%
8. Recruitment Retention Allowance (RRA) you will be paid £7,000 per annum as a market supplement to reflect the demand for your skills. Whilst in post, you will be paid this market driven allowance from April 2024 until September 2025 in your monthly pay
9. Annual Leave starting at 27.5 days (plus Bank Holidays) rising to 32.5 days (plus Bank Holidays) after 5 years and option to buy or sell up to 5 days per year of annual leave
We offer a range of other great and useful financial and non-financial benefits. For more information about what we can offer you, please look on our website.
What you'll bring to the role We're looking for someone who meets the following Essential Criteria for this role;
10. Demonstrated experience designing and implementing well-architected cloud-based solutions that meet customer needs. (We're experts by nature)
11. Knowledge of how to run and manage a service to meet stakeholder, regulatory, security and financial requirements. (We live and breathe it)
12. An effective communicator with the ability to communicate technical information clearly and concisely to various audiences, including senior management, and to communicate with and influence others to deliver positive outcomes. (We're better together)
13. Knowledge of MLOps and emerging best practice to developing ML/ AI services at pace, with confidence. (We keep evolving)
14. A track record of embedding a culture of continuous improvement into team working. (We keep evolving)
Our Working Arrangements
As our Lead Technical Architect, the job may be suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in the office and part of the week from home. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and the location advertised will be your contractual place of work. Our opportunity is full time, 37 hours per week. Our people are at the heart of what we do and we'll do our best to agree a working pattern that works for everyone.
How to apply
If you share our values, we'd love to hear from you! Click apply to begin your application. Please complete your career history and provide evidence against each of the essential criteria mentioned in the 'What You'll bring to the Role' section in the supporting statement questionnaire. We recommend candidates use the CARL (Context, Action, Result and Learning) method the help best demonstrate your experience and skills. When providing examples, you should include the context of the example, The action you took, what the result was and any learning you took from this example. As leaders in embracing AI technology in many areas of our business, we encourage the use of AI technology to enhance your application. However, all information provided must be honest, accurate, and a true reflection of your skills and experience. We suggest 300 to 500 words per answer to keep your response focused and impactful.
Closing date 23/ 02/ 25 at 23:59 with first stage interviews commencing from 03/ 03/ 25. You will hear from us once the closing date has passed.
How we can help
If you would like to better understand the organisation, the role or have any questions please contact us at.
If you're considering applying and need support to do so, please get in touch. You can request adjustments either within your application or by contacting us. Should you be offered an interview, please be aware there may be a selection exercise which could include a presentation, written test or a scenario-based activity. You can select in your application to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme. To be invited to interview/ assessment under this scheme, your application must meet the essential criteria for the role.
We understand that great minds don't always think alike and as an equal opportunities employer we welcome applications from those with all protected characteristics. We recruit on merit, fairness, and open competition in line with the Civil Service Code.
We can only accept applications from those eligible to live and work in the UK - please refer to GOV.UK for information. We require Security clearance, for which you need to have resided in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years to be eligible. You will need to achieve full security clearance within your first 6 months with us