Job Description
Data Platform Architect
Clearance required: BPSS + SC
Mandated Umbrella
Remote
You will be responsible for re-architecting data flows, modernising infrastructure, managing large-scale schema evolution, enabling cross-cloud connectivity, and providing senior guidance to technical teams and stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
1. Lead Architecture for Brownfield Modernisation
Analyse and reshape the existing DWX architecture to support new upstream microservices and evolving schema definitions (300+ schemas).
Design approaches for merging 3-5 years of historical data with newly structured data while maintaining consistent user journeys.
Identify modernisation pathways that minimise disruption to live services.
2. Data Platform & Integration Architecture
Define new and/or modify ingestion, transformation, and storage patterns suitable for microservice-based upstream systems.
Ensure downstream services maintain data quality, lineage, and continuity during schema transitions.
Design data migration strategies and transient approaches supporting phased, low-risk rollouts.
3. Infrastructure, Security & Network Architecture
Architect the transition from Universal Credit (UC) specific MacBooks (bespoke laptop)/VPC access to DWP-standard devices using Zscaler.
Define the infrastructure and security requirements for safe and compliant connectivity between AWS-hosted services and Azure-hosted DWP environments (eg, SaSViya).
Ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and controlled movement of sensitive data across cloud boundaries.
4. Technology Modernisation & Standards Alignment
Assess existing technology choices (eg, Kotlin) and recommend migration paths aligned to DWP-approved standards.
Produce clear technical options, roadmap recommendations, and architectural decision records.
Advocate for simplification, reduction of technical debt, and alignment to Digital Blueprint and Enterprise Architecture.
5. Leadership, Governance & Stakeholder Engagement
Act as the senior architectural authority across DWX and related services.
Communicate complex technical concepts in a clear, structured, audience-appropriate manner.
Collaborate closely with DWP domain architects, engineers, and suppliers.
Provide architectural assurance and technical governance across delivery teams.
Skills & Experience Required
Essential
Proven experience as a senior technical architect in complex brownfield environments.
Strong data platform architecture experience: ingestion patterns, schema evolution, ETL/ELT, microservices data integration.
Multi-cloud integration expertise (Azure + AWS) including secure data transfer patterns.
Deep understanding of government, public sector, or regulated environments.
Strong experience of technical authority, security governance and SRE handover
Experience maintaining critical services while modernising underlying platforms.
Strong infrastructure, security, and network architecture capability (Zscaler, VPC patterns, VPN, identity).
Ability to navigate and implement organisational standards (DWP, D&A or similar).
Hands-on experience re-architecting or migrating technology stacks to standardised platforms.
Exceptional communication & leadership: able to drive clarity and decision-making in ambiguous contexts.
Strong experience of technical documentation on Confluence/SharePoint
Desirable
Experience with event-driven architectures and microservice-based data contracts.
Knowledge of Kotlin and migration pathways to DWP-standard languages (Java, Python, etc.).
Understanding of Power BI, CoPilot for Power BI, or GenAI (helpful but not core).
Relevant AWS and Azure certifications.
Success Measures
DWX architectural redesign provides a clear, low-risk path to support UC's microservice-based schema model.
Cross-cloud connectivity and infrastructure changes are defined, approved, and adopted.
Migration away from non-standard technologies is recommended with clear options and impact analysis.
Continuous service delivery is maintained while modernisation progresses.
Stakeholders gain confidence that architecture decisions are correct, consistent, and strategic.
