Data Architect (Contract)

Instil; Belfast; Remote; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology consulting firm in the UK is seeking a Data Architect to lead the redesign of their data platform. You will be responsible for defining the target architecture, resolving ingestion challenges, and implementing modern data pipelines while optimising database performance for advanced analytics. The ideal candidate should have proven experience in designing analytics data platforms and strong skills in data modelling. This role is fully remote within the UK.

Qualifications

• Proven experience designing analytics data platforms and warehouses.
• Strong data modelling skills required.
• Experience with pipeline engineering essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead the redesign of a data platform for high-volume analytics.
• Define the target architecture and resolve ingestion challenges.
• Implement modern data pipelines and optimise database performance.

Skills

Data modelling (dimensional, semantic layers)

Pipeline engineering with Airflow

Python

Postgres performance tuning for analytics

BI optimisation

DataOps practices

Open-source/on-prem delivery experience

Event-driven ingestion (Kafka)

Job description

We are looking for a Data Architect to lead the redesign of a data platform to support high-volume analytics and faster BI. Define the target architecture, resolve ingestion challenges, implement modern data pipelines, and optimise database performance for advanced analytics use cases.

Essential Skills

• Proven experience designing analytics data platforms & warehouses
• Strong data modelling (dimensional, semantic layers)
• Pipeline engineering with Airflow, DBT, Python
• Columnar/OLAP database experience
• Postgres performance tuning for analytics
• BI optimisation (Superset or similar)
• DataOps practices (testing, CI/CD, lineage)
• Open-source/on‑prem delivery experience

Desirable Skills

• Columnar stores (ClickHouse, Iceberg/Delta)
• Event-driven ingestion (Kafka, CDC)
• Superset advanced config
• HashiCorp Nomad/Terraform
• Data governance tools (Great Expectations, OpenLineage)

Location Requirements

This role is fully remote within the UK. Therefore, candidates can be based anywhere in the United Kingdom.

Equality

Instil is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity at our company. We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff. Applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

We also strive to make our recruitment process fair and accessible to all. If you require any adjustments or accommodations at any stage, please let us know. We’re happy to have a confidential conversation to ensure the process meets your needs, because we know that every candidate’s journey is different.