AI Security Architect

Job summary

We're MI6, also known as the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS). Our mission is to protect the security and economic wellbeing of the UK from overseas threats such as regional instability, terrorism, and cyber attacks. Working across the globe and in close partnership with MI5 and GCHQ, we help the Government to counter these threats through the provision of secret intelligence. A role in MI6 will see you providing vital support to this work, within a supportive and encouraging environment that puts the emphasis on teamwork.

Job description

AI is being adopted across some of the most mission critical areas at MI6, creating a rare opportunity to influence how these technologies are secured from the start. As an AI Security Architect, you’ll help shape how AI systems are designed, deployed and governed in environments where security, trust and resilience are essential.

As part of a small, specialist team, you’ll take responsibility for the technical security architecture that underpins AI solutions across the organisation. You’ll define secure AI reference architectures, patterns and controls, and guide delivery teams on how these should be implemented in practice. Operating close to delivery, you’ll influence design decisions early and ensure AI is built to be secure by default.

The role sits at the intersection of established cyber security practice and rapidly evolving AI technologies. You’ll assess the security implications of capabilities such as machine learning and large language models, considering risks related to model integrity, provenance, poisoning and misuse.

Day to day, you’ll work closely with software engineers, data scientists and ML engineers, reviewing technical designs and providing practical, actionable feedback. You’ll also support assurance and accreditation colleagues, helping them understand complex architectures and clarify how security controls meet broader objectives. While most of your time is hands on and technical, you’ll engage with senior leaders as needed to explain risks, trade offs and the value of proactive investment in AI security.

This is a rare chance to help define how AI security is approached at organisational scale. As an individual contributor, you’ll shape emerging practice, influence standards and ensure AI capabilities are introduced in a secure, responsible and sustainable way.

Person specification

You’re an experienced cyber or information security practitioner with a strong background in designing and assuring secure systems in complex environments. Your experience includes security architecture or senior security engineering roles, and you’re comfortable taking responsibility for technical security decisions that influence how systems are built.

You bring hands on experience working with AI enabled technologies and understand the security challenges they introduce. This may include exposure to machine learning, large language models or cloud based AI services, particularly within AWS environments. You’re familiar with risks such as model integrity, provenance, poisoning and misuse, and understand how security controls must adapt as these technologies evolve.

In an evolving technical landscape where precedent is limited and risks continue to emerge, your judgement and critical thinking are essential. You’re able to operate where standards, controls and threat models are still developing, applying sound reasoning to make defensible security decisions.

You’re confident working directly with engineers, data scientists and ML practitioners, reviewing detailed technical designs and providing clear, actionable guidance on implementing secure patterns and controls. While deeply technical, you can also explain risk, trade offs and impacts in straightforward language, helping non specialist stakeholders make informed decisions.

Above all, you’re proactive, curious and motivated to stay ahead of emerging AI security challenges, valuing continuous learning and contributing specialist expertise within a small, collaborative team.

Benefits

Rewards and benefits

You’ll receive a starting salary of £74,624 plus other benefits including:

• 25 Days Annual Leave automatically rising to 30 days after 5 years' service, and an additional 10.5 days public and privilege holidays
• Opportunities to be recognised through our employee performance scheme
• Interest-free season ticket loan
• Excellent pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Facilities such as a gym, restaurant and on-site coffee bars (at some locations)
• Paid parental and adoption leave

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

Our recruitment process is fair, transparent, and based on merit. Here is a brief overview of each stage, in order:

1. An initial online application form including pre-screening questions to ensure you meet our eligibility criteria
2. 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
3. Application sift looking at your skills and motivation for the role and organisation
4. An online HR and competency interview
5. In-person interview looking at your technical skills
6. If successful you will receive a conditional offer of employment

Please note, you must successfully pass each stage of the process to progress to the next. Your application may take around 6 - 9 months to process including vetting, so we advise you continue any current employment until you have received your final job offer.

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 developed vetting (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

Open to UK nationals only.

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.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil 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

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 : The Recruitment Team
• Email : careers@recruitmentoffice.org.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : careers@recruitmentoffice.org.uk

Further information

https://www.sis.gov.uk/careers/