Data Architect

Salary: £49,000 - 77,000 per year

Requirements:

• Deep knowledge of the Azure data stack, including Azure SQL Server, Cosmos DB, Azure Data Factory, Purview, Synapse, Event Hub, and Azure Databricks/Fabric
• Extensive data modelling experience across both normalised relational models and de-normalised star schema/dimensional models
• Strong relational database design skills, including diagnosing and optimising performance across SQL Server, PostgreSQL, and cloud databases
• Proven track record delivering complex data migration projects involving terabyte-plus datasets, multiple legacy source systems, and structured and unstructured data
• Proficiency with Parquet, Delta Lake, or other modern data storage formats
• Experience with streaming architectures using Kafka, Event Hubs, or Kinesis for real-time data processing
• Knowledge of data architectures supporting AI/ML workloads, including vector databases, feature stores, and MLOps pipelines
• Experience processing and managing unstructured data types such as text, images, logs, and sensor data
• Understanding of Lambda and Kappa architectural patterns and when to apply each
• UK Security Vetting clearance required, with SC as the minimum standard; willingness to undergo DV clearance is beneficial
• Ability to complete BPSS onboarding requirements
• Exposure to high-performing, low-latency, or large-volume data systems is desirable
• Knowledge of Government Digital Service practices across Discovery, Alpha, Beta, and Live phases is desirable
• Experience with Infrastructure as Code and modern DevOps practices is desirable
• Awareness of advances in AI technologies, data services, and architectural practices is desirable
• Industry specialisation in sectors such as Engineering, Manufacturing, or Healthcare is desirable
• Public sector or defence experience is desirable
• Experience with modern unified data platforms like Databricks or Microsoft Fabric is desirable
• Understanding of data mesh or data fabric architectural approaches is desirable
• Relevant certifications such as TOGAF 9, CDMP, or Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305) are desirable

Responsibilities:

• Advocate the business benefit of data standards and govern those standards across projects and the organisation
• Define patterns, standards, policies, roadmaps, and vision statements based on a broad understanding of business issues and activities
• Make and guide effective decisions, clearly explaining how decisions are reached and resolving technical disputes of varying complexity and risk
• Communicate complex technical information across organisational, technical, and political boundaries in a way that is accessible to non-technical audiences
• Design how to expose data from systems through APIs and real-time streams, link data from multiple systems, and deliver modern data services
• Ensure deployment risks are understood and documented
• Design end-to-end data solutions from requirements through implementation, including technical documentation and architecture blueprints
• Lead complex data migration projects from legacy systems to modern cloud-native platforms
• Evaluate and recommend appropriate technologies across the modern data stack to meet client needs
• Mentor junior team members and collaborate with data engineers, software engineers, data scientists, and business stakeholders
• Enable transformative business decisions through robust, scalable data architectures
• Drive adoption of modern data platforms and AI-enabled analytics solutions
• Establish technical standards and architectural patterns that ensure quality, security, and maintainability
• Help cultivate a data-driven culture within client organisations and internally
• Deliver architectures that integrate traditional and modern data systems

Technologies:

• AI
• Lambda
• Architect
• Azure
• Cloud
• Cosmos DB
• Databricks
• DevOps
• Fabric
• Kafka
• MLOps
• PostgreSQL
• SQL
• Security
• TOGAF

More:

We are Methods Analytics (MA), and we are recruiting for a permanent Data Architect role on a mainly remote basis, with flexibility to travel to client sites and our offices in London, Sheffield, and Bristol. We exist to improve society by helping people make better decisions with data. We combine passionate people, sector-specific insight, and technical excellence to provide our customers with an end-to-end data service. We use a collaborative, creative, and user-centric approach to solve difficult problems, and we value discussion, debate, ethics, privacy, and quality. We offer autonomy to develop your skills, exciting project work that makes a difference in society, strong leadership, and a supportive, collaborative environment, alongside benefits including a technical hackathon, community of practice events, team-building days, learning access, volunteering days, private medical and travel insurance, bonus, life assurance, generous annual leave, pension, employee assistance, and social activities.

last updated 34 week of 2026