SAS Technical Architect

Job Title: SAS Technical Architect

Clearance Required: Active SC

Duration: 6 months

Location: Telford - 2 days on site

Job Description:

• We are seeking an experienced SAS Technical Architect to lead the design and delivery of enterprise-scale analytics solutions using the SAS toolset, with a strong focus on SAS Viya 4 architecture.
• The role will be responsible for defining end-to-end technical architecture, supporting migration from legacy SAS platforms, and ensuring alignment with enterprise cloud and data strategies.
• This role is critical to supporting large-scale transformation programmes involving migration of SAS 9.4 / Viya 3.5 estates to Viya 4 platforms.

Key Responsibilities

Architecture & Design

• Define and own the end-to-end SAS architecture, ensuring alignment with programme and enterprise strategy.
• Design scalable, secure, and high-performing SAS Viya 4 solutions across cloud environments (AWS/Azure).
• Lead architecture reviews, governance gates, and design approvals.

SAS Viya 4 Platform

• Architect and implement SAS Viya 4 environments, including:
• CAS (Cloud Analytic Services)
• SAS Studio, Visual Analytics, and Model Studio
• Define deployment patterns using containerised environments (Kubernetes) for Viya 4.
• Ensure alignment with platform strategies (e.g. DPS / Minerva).

Migration & Transformation

• Lead migration of SAS 9.4 / Viya 3.5 workloads to Viya 4, including:
• Data integration flows
• Analytical models and reporting
• Configuration and scheduling
• Define migration approach covering:
• Code migration and refactoring
• Data validation and reconciliation
• Performance optimisation
• Support transformation of legacy solutions to modern, cloud-native patterns.

Technical Leadership

• Provide technical leadership to data engineers, developers, and testers.
• Support design for:
• CI/CD integration
• DevOps practices
• Automation and deployment pipelines
• Collaborate with architects, engineering teams, and SMEs across suppliers.

Governance & Stakeholder Management

• Present solutions to senior stakeholders (client and internal).
• Ensure compliance with:
• Security and data governance standards
• Cloud architecture principles
• Support commercial and delivery teams with estimation and solutioning.

Key Skills & Experience

Essential

• Strong experience in SAS architecture and technical design
• Proven delivery experience with SAS Viya 4 platforms
• Deep knowledge of SAS toolset, including:
• SAS DI / Data Integration
• SAS Visual Analytics
• SAS Studio / Enterprise Guide
• Experience designing cloud-based SAS solutions (AWS / Azure)
• Experience with Kubernetes / containerised deployments for Viya 4
• Experience delivering large-scale migration programmes

Desirable

Knowledge of CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices

• Experience integrating SAS with:
• Airflow or alternative schedulers
• Data platforms (e.g. Snowflake, Databricks)
• Understanding of data security and access models
• Experience in public sector / regulated environments

Qualifications

• Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related discipline (or equivalent experience)
• SAS certifications (Viya / Advanced Analytics) preferred

Key Behaviours

• Strong stakeholder engagement and influencing skills
• Ability to operate at both strategic architecture level and hands-on design
• Analytical mindset with a focus on quality and delivery
• Collaborative approach across multi-supplier environments

Typical Deliverables

• Architecture design documents (HLD / LLD)
• SAS Viya 4 deployment and configuration designs
• Migration strategies and runbooks
• Governance artefacts and technical assurance inputs