Principal Solution Architect / Lead Data & AI Architect

Salary: £? - ? per year

Requirements:

• Extensive experience in data platform architecture, analytics, and cloud solutions.
• Strong expertise in Databricks, Azure Data Services, and modern data architectures.
• Experience designing enterprise-scale data platforms and AI-enabled solutions.
• Deep understanding of data engineering, governance, security, and platform operations.
• Experience with CI/CD, DevOps, infrastructure automation, and cloud-native patterns.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical transformation initiatives.
• Strong decision-making and problem-solving capabilities.
• Experience influencing senior stakeholders and driving technical alignment.
• Proven track record of leading cross-functional and geographically distributed teams.
• Active engagement with Microsoft, Databricks, and relevant technology communities.
• Strong understanding of technology roadmaps, best practices, and reference architectures.

Responsibilities:

• Define and own the end-to-end architecture strategy for data, analytics, and AI platforms.
• Lead solution design and architectural decision-making across multiple initiatives and workstreams.
• Conduct deep technical reviews and identify opportunities for optimisation, modernisation, and innovation.
• Establish architecture standards, design principles, and governance processes.
• Provide technical guidance and oversight throughout the delivery lifecycle.
• Provide trusted technical leadership and strategic guidance.
• Improve solution quality, maintainability, security, and scalability.
• Influence technology direction through deep expertise and industry knowledge.
• Develop engineering capability through mentoring and technical leadership.
• Strengthen relationships with technology partners and key stakeholders.
• Ensure the organisation remains aligned with emerging industry trends and best practices.

Technologies:

• AI
• Architect
• Azure
• CI/CD
• Cloud
• Databricks
• DevOps
• Security

More:

We are looking for a Principal Solution Architect / Lead Data & AI Architect for a 6-month engagement starting on 21/9/2026. This is a location / remote role with a day rate of 650 per day inside IR35. The role is focused on defining and driving the technical vision, architecture, and strategic direction of our Data & AI platform estate, combining deep technical expertise, architectural leadership, stakeholder influence, and technology partner engagement. We work with enterprise-scale data, analytics, and AI solutions and value strong collaboration with technical and business stakeholders, as well as engagement with Microsoft, Databricks, and the wider technology community.

last updated 36 week of 2026