Principal Data Architect

JR United Kingdom; London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative SaaS company is seeking a Senior Data Engineer to lead the expansion of its data engineering team. In this pivotal role, you will drive the design and development of data models, ensuring best practices across multiple domains. You will provide technical leadership, mentor junior engineers, and collaborate closely with key stakeholders, including the Chief Data Officer. This position offers the opportunity to shape the future of data engineering within the organization, making a significant impact on the product's evolution and success. If you are passionate about data and looking to make a strategic impact, this role is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• 7+ years experience in Data Engineering/Architecture is essential.
• Strong expertise in modern data platforms and tools.
• Proven leadership and mentoring abilities within technical teams.

Responsibilities

• Drive the design and development of data models across multiple domains.
• Lead and mentor data engineers, establishing best practices.
• Collaborate with client teams to optimize platform usage.

Skills

Data Engineering/Architecture

Python

SQL

Data Modeling

Databricks

Spark

Dataform

Airflow

GCP Workflows

Cloud Platforms (GCP, AWS, Azure)

DevOps Practices

Data Warehouse Design

Data Lake Design

Containerization

IaC Tools (Docker, Kubernetes, Terraform)

Agile Methodologies (Scrum, Kanban)

Job description

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I'm currently working with a SaaS product organisation that is expanding its data engineering team with a key senior hire, working directly with the CDO.

Responsibilities

1. Data Ownership: Drive the design, development, and evolution of data models across multiple domains and clients. Serve as an expert in the SaaS platform, ensuring consistency and best practices in all data-related aspects.
2. Technical Leadership: Lead and mentor other data engineers, fostering technical excellence and effective use of data platforms. Establish and promote best practices for data engineering within the organisation.
3. Client Engagement: Collaborate with client delivery teams to optimise platform usage and drive successful outcomes. Support critical phases like discovery, scoping, and problem resolution.
4. Training and Documentation: Develop comprehensive training programs and documentation to scale knowledge sharing within the company. Ensure training materials and guides are up-to-date and accessible to stakeholders.
5. Strategic Collaboration: Partner with the Chief Data Officer (CDO), Chief Technology Officer (CTO), Product Director, Head of Product Architecture, and other teams to align on strategy and execution. Contribute to the evolution of the product to support business objectives.

Required Skills

• 7+ years experience in Data Engineering/Architecture (or similar).
• Extensive experience in data engineering, including designing and managing complex data models and solutions.
• Proven leadership and mentoring abilities within technical teams.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with clients and stakeholders at all levels.
• Hands-on expertise in modern data platforms, tools, and technologies, such as:

• Advanced data modelling - operational and analytical
• Python, SQL
• Databricks, Spark
• Orchestration frameworks such as Dataform, Airflow, and GCP Workflows.
• Modern architecture and cloud platforms (GCP, AWS, Azure)
• DevOps practices
• Data warehouse and data lake design and implementation
• Familiarity with containerization and IaC tools (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes, Terraform).
• Experience working within an agile environment (Scrum, Kanban, etc).

• Previous experience in the retail domain is a significant advantage.
• Experience in developing training materials and fostering knowledge sharing.
• A strategic mindset focused on scalability, performance, and innovation.