Data Architect

• Data Architect/Enterprise Data Architecture
• Defence/MOD
• JSP 453, CADMID, TOGAF, NIST, ISO 27001

Data Architect Bristol/Cardiff Hybrid Security Clearance or eligibility is required for this opportunity.

Our client is a global leader in engineering, project and programme management, and solutions integration as well as a recognised partner across major UK Government and commercial programmes.   They currently have an exciting opportunity for a Data Architect to join their growing team of IT professionals to work on a range of projects for our diverse client portfolio that covers Critical National Infrastructure, National Security, Defence and Nuclear market sectors.  You will have strong experience across Enterprise Data Architecture and/or Solution Data Architecture to support a UK MOD programme delivering Defence-wide data and integration capabilities. Operating across the CADMID lifecycle, you will help define and implement enterprise data principles, standards, and architectures, while also contributing to hands-on data modelling, integration design, and governance.Key Responsibilities:

• Define and maintain enterprise data architecture, including principles, policies, standards, and reference models aligned with JSP 453 and Defence-wide integration frameworks.
• Develop architecture artefacts including conceptual, logical, and physical data models, data flows, and architecture blueprints.
• Translate business and operational needs into data architecture designs, ensuring alignment between enterprise strategy and system-level implementation.
• Design data integration patterns and approaches (e.g. APIs, data pipelines, event-driven architectures) to enable interoperability across Defence systems.
• Establish and support data governance frameworks, including data quality, metadata, lineage, and master data management practices.
• Contribute to AI/data governance principles, emerging technology assessments, and horizon scanning activities.
• Support the development of reusable patterns, guidance, and Communities of Practice to uplift data architecture capability across Defence.

Skills:

• Degree qualified in Data, Computer Science, Engineering, or related discipline (or equivalent experience).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to define solutions to complex challenges.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Ability to produce high-quality technical documentation for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to lead, mentor, and collaborate within high-performing teams.

Experience:

• Proven experience as a Data Architect within UK Defence or Critical National Infrastructure environments.
• Experience working across enterprise architecture and/or solution data architecture layers, bridging strategic and technical domains.
• Experience delivering across full system lifecycles (e.g. CADMID), including concept, design, and in-service improvement phases.
• Experience defining and implementing data strategies, governance frameworks, and standards, including understanding of data governance disciplines (data quality, metadata management, lineage, cataloguing).
• Strong expertise in data modelling (conceptual, logical, physical) and data architecture design, data integration approaches (ETL/ELT pipelines, APIs, streaming, event-driven architectures), and database technologies (relational, NoSQL, cloud-native data platforms) and data storage architectures.

Standards & Frameworks:

• Strong understanding of MOD data and integration standards, including JSP 453 - Defence Information Architecture.
• Familiarity with enterprise architecture frameworks (e.g. TOGAF, MODAF, UAF).
• Knowledge of data governance and security standards (e.g. NIST, ISO/IEC 27001).