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Data Architect Jobs

Design and oversee the creation of complex data systems. A critical role in shaping how organisations store, process, and utilise data.

Open roles
55
Salary range
£55k – £900k
Hiring companies
32
View 55 live roles → Get an alert

Data Architects are the visionaries behind an organisation's data infrastructure. They design, model, and implement the data architecture that underpins data pipelines, warehouses, and lakes. This role is crucial for ensuring that data is accessible, secure, and scalable, enabling businesses to make informed decisions. Data Architects work closely with data engineers, data scientists, and business stakeholders to align technical solutions with strategic goals.

What the role does

Inside the role of a Data Architect

A typical week for a Data Architect is a mix of strategic planning, technical design, and collaboration with cross-functional teams.

  1. 01
    Design and optimise data models and schemas.
  2. 02
    Collaborate with data engineers to implement data pipelines.
  3. 03
    Review and approve data architecture designs.
  4. 04
    Conduct data governance and compliance checks.
  5. 05
    Engage with business stakeholders to understand data needs.
  6. 06
    Document and communicate data architecture decisions.
Salary on the board

£55k – £900k

Based on advertised midpoints across the 74 priced listings posted in the last 12 months. Base salary only.

By seniority
£k base
Senior
55
900
59 jobs
Lead
80
240
4 jobs
Director
90
100
1 job
Skills & tools

What hiring managers ask for

% of 85 listings posted in the last 12 months that mention each skill, extracted from job descriptions.

Data Architecture
59%
Data Governance
58%
Data Modelling
44%
Azure
33%
Databricks
27%
SQL
24%
Python
19%
Metadata Management
18%
AWS
18%
Data Integration
14%
Microsoft Fabric
12%
Data Quality
12%
Career ladder

From Junior to Principal

A typical UK progression for data architects. Years are guidance — strong people move faster, and many senior folks sidestep into research, product or management.

  1. Level 1

    Junior Data Architect

    0–2 yrs

    Assists in designing and documenting data architecture components under supervision.

  2. Level 2

    Data Architect

    3–5 yrs

    Leads the design and implementation of data architecture for specific projects or domains.

  3. Level 3

    Senior Data Architect

    6–8 yrs

    Oversees the entire data architecture strategy and ensures alignment with business objectives.

  4. Level 4

    Principal Data Architect

    9+ yrs

    Provides strategic direction for the organisation's data architecture and mentors junior architects.

Pathway

How to become a Data Architect

There's no single route, but most people follow some version of these steps.

  1. 1

    Learn Data Fundamentals

    Gain a solid understanding of data structures, databases, and data management principles.

  2. 2

    Specialise in Data Architecture

    Focus on data architecture concepts, tools, and best practices. Consider certifications like Certified Data Management Professional (CDMP).

  3. 3

    Gain Practical Experience

    Work on real-world projects to design and implement data solutions. Collaborate with data engineers and scientists.

  4. 4

    Lead Data Projects

    Take ownership of data architecture projects, ensuring they meet business requirements and technical standards.

  5. 5

    Strategic Role

    Move into a strategic role, shaping the organisation's data architecture strategy and leading a team of data professionals.

  6. 6

    Mentor and Innovate

    Mentor junior architects and drive innovation in data architecture practices and technologies.

Live jobs

55 live roles

See all 55 roles →
Adecco logo

Data Architect

The role involves designing and implementing a robust data architecture to support data-driven insights and intelligence for Lincolnshire Police and its partners. You will lead the development of data solutions, optimise data management frameworks, and mentor a team of data professionals. The position supports a mission-critical public service environment with a focus on governance, data literacy, and collaborative problem-solving.

Adecco Lincoln, Lincolnshire, United Kingdom £30 ph
Hybrid Temporary Clearance Required

Data Architect

This role involves owning the architecture and design of enterprise-scale SAS solutions, including legacy SAS and modern SAS Viya environments. You will define integration patterns, provide architectural governance, and shape migration strategies, acting as the technical authority for SAS-related decisions.

CBSbutler Holdings Limited trading as CBSbutler Telford, Shropshire, SY2 5TN, United Kingdom £600 – £640 pd
Hybrid Contract Clearance Required
HAYS Specialist Recruitment logo

Data Architect

The Data Architect will lead the design and delivery of enterprise-wide data architecture, working closely with business stakeholders and senior leaders to translate strategic priorities into robust, scalable data solutions. Key responsibilities include defining data governance frameworks, acting as a trusted advisor on data technologies, and supporting continuous improvement and innovation.

HAYS Specialist Recruitment Preston, United Kingdom £60,000 – £70,000 pa
Hybrid Permanent

Data Architect

Designs and oversees data architectures for distributed, deployed defence systems operating in intermittent connectivity environments. Focuses on data synchronisation, consistency, and resilience across isolated nodes that periodically reconnect and reconcile. Works within secure, classified settings across multiple operational locations.

Ncounter Southampton, Hampshire, SO19 8NJ, United Kingdom £700 – £800 pd
Hybrid Contract Clearance Required

Data Architect

The Data Architect will design and develop scalable, secure data architectures to support data integration, modeling, and analytics across a complex health and social care environment. This role focuses on creating trusted data foundations, simplifying complex data landscapes through clear documentation and data flows, and enabling data-informed decision-making across teams. The position plays a strategic part in shaping the organisation's data function and governance.

Turning Point Tower Hill, City And County Of the City Of London, EC3N 4DH, United Kingdom £58,000 – £63,000 pa
Hybrid Permanent

Data Architect

This role involves designing and delivering scalable cloud-based data architecture and models for a major retail transformation programme. You will work across product, engineering, and analytics teams to support cloud migration and modern data platform initiatives, focusing on Snowflake, DBT, Airflow, and Azure/AWS technologies.

DCV Technologies London, United Kingdom £400 – £500 pd
Hybrid Contract

Data Architect

As a Data Architect, you will design and build advanced data solutions and models, working closely with Product Owners and the Engineering team. Your role involves triaging requirements, enhancing data models, and ensuring alignment with business needs while leveraging expertise in data warehousing, 3NF, Dimensional, and Data Vault methodologies.

DCV Technologies Farringdon, London, EC1M 4BJ, United Kingdom £450 – £490 pd
Hybrid Contract

Data Architect

As a Data Architect, you will lead the data modeling process and curate enterprise-level data, ensuring it aligns with business processes and analytics. You will work closely with business stakeholders, architects, and engineering teams to gather and understand data requirements, and optimize data models for performance and scalability.

Pontoon Warwick, Warwickshire, United Kingdom £900 – £950 pd
Hybrid Contract
See all 55 roles →
Top hirers

Companies hiring data architects

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Hiring locations

Where this role is hiring

The locations with the most live listings for this role today.

London

Location
23 open

Birmingham

Location
3 open

Manchester

Location
2 open

Edinburgh

Location
2 open

Preston

Location
2 open

Bristol

Location
1 open
FAQs

Common questions

  • Essential skills include a strong understanding of data models, database design, ETL processes, and data governance. Proficiency in SQL and data warehousing tools is also crucial.

  • Data Architects collaborate with data engineers to ensure that the designed data architecture is implemented correctly. They provide technical guidance and review the implementation to align with strategic goals.

  • A Data Architect focuses on designing the overall data infrastructure, while a Data Engineer builds and maintains the data pipelines and systems based on the architect's designs.

  • A Senior Data Architect oversees the entire data architecture strategy, ensures alignment with business objectives, and mentors junior architects. They also engage with business stakeholders to understand and meet data needs.

  • For specific salary information, please refer to the salary section on this page, which is updated with live job listings.

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