Principal Data Architect

Kainos; Belfast City District; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Kainos is seeking a Principal Architect for Data & AI to deliver modern data/AI solutions across multiple customers. You will influence senior stakeholders and guide architectural decisions with gravitas in the data community.

You will lead and mentor architects and engineers, shape standards, and advocate for new technologies while supporting career growth and knowledge sharing within agile teams.

Qualifications

• Broad knowledge of a spectrum of current and emerging data and AI technologies, and able to communicate clearly and influence C-level stakeholders (IOT, edge processing, event driven data architectures, serverless processing, file system, object, document, key-value, search, RDBMS, graph, cognitive services, machine learning).
• Proven experience designing, building and productionising modern data or AI intensive applications, including distributed and scalable systems.
• Experience with public cloud data platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP) including IaaS, SaaS and PaaS offerings.
• Familiarity with data integration techniques such as messaging, queuing, CDC or data virtualization.
• Ability to prioritise customer concerns and balance non-functional requirements across multiple major projects.
• Experience developing business understanding and commercial implications of decisions.
• Motivate and empower teams to foster an inclusive, creative culture with wellbeing focus.

Responsibilities

• Provide assurance and support to multi-skilled agile teams by understanding outcomes and complexity to guide design decisions.
• Lead development of policy and standards, build customer relationships, account strategies, and share knowledge.
• Mentor colleagues and help navigate career development while staying current with new technologies.

Job description

Join Kainos and Shape the Future

At Kainos, we’re problem solvers, innovators, and collaborators - driven by a shared mission to create real impact. Whether we’re transforming digital services for millions, delivering cutting-edge Workday solutions, or pushing the boundaries of technology, we do it together.

We believe in a people-first culture, where your ideas are valued, your growth is supported, and your contributions truly make a difference. Here, you’ll be part of a diverse, ambitious team that celebrates creativity and collaboration.

Ready to make your mark?

Join us and be part of something bigger.

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE BUSINESS:

As a Principal Architect for Data & AI in Kainos, you’ll be accountable for successful delivery of contemporary data/ AI solutions across multiple customers.

You’ll have gravitas within the data/ AI community and strong thought leadership, working with senior stakeholders to agree principles, strategic direction and functional and non-functional designs. You'll manage other architects and engineers in the capability to help them navigate their careers.

You will provide assurance and support to multi-skilled agile teams by understanding the outcomes the solution is trying to achieve, the technical implications and complexity surrounding you and your teams' designs and helping teams make the right decisions. As a technical leader, you will work with your colleagues to lead the development of policy and standards, develop customer relationships, develop account strategies and share knowledge and mentor those around you. You’ll do this whilst advising about new technologies and approaches, with room to learn, develop and grow.

Minimum (essential) Requirements

• Broad knowledge of a spectrum of current and emerging data and AI technologies, and able to communicate clearly and influence C-level stakeholders (such as IOT, edge processing, event driven data architectures, serverless processing, file system, object, document, key-value, search, RDBMS, graph, cognitive services, machine learning).
• Proven experience being accountable for designing, building and productionising modern data or AI intensive applications, including systems that are distributed and scalable.
• Has experience with public cloud data platforms, at least one of AWS, Azure or GCP including use of IaaS, SaaS and PaaS offerings.
• Comfortable with data integration techniques such as messaging, queuing, change data capture or data virtualisation.
• Able to prioritise customer concerns, for example incorporating non functional concerns into application design and prioritise your time across multiple major projects particularly when working to deadlines.
• Has pro-actively developed business and applied an understanding of the commercial implications of their decisions.
• Motivate and empower teams to create an inclusive and creative culture for our people to perform well, learn and grow with a focus on wellbeing.

DESIRABLE

• Experience in managing others, setting objectives, giving feedback and leading performance reviews.
• Actively shares their thoughts and views on technology.
• Has participated in technology communities.

Embracing our differences

At Kainos, we believe in the power of diversity, equity and inclusion. We are committed to building a team that is as diverse as the world we live in, where everyone is valued, respected, and given an equal chance to thrive. We actively seek out talented people from all backgrounds, regardless of age, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or any other characteristic that makes them who they are. We also believe every candidate deserves a level playing field.

Our friendly talent acquisition team is here to support you every step of the way, so if you require any accommodations or adjustments, we encourage you to reach out. We understand that everyone's journey is different, and by having a private conversation we can ensure that our recruitment process is tailored to your needs.