Data Architect

Job Introduction

Job Description for Data Architect:

There’s never been a more exciting time to be part of the nuclear sector. New opportunities are being created all the time. At NNL, you’ll be in the ideal place to capitalise on this momentum, face new challenges and develop a long, successful and meaningful career.

We’re an organisation that’s here to experiment and push the limits of what’s possible. So, if you’re keen to excel in your chosen field, this is the place to do it. Because at NNL, anything is possible.

This is a key role in the IT Architecture team, providing an exciting greenfield opportunity for someone with experience and knowledge of modern data platform architectures.

The Data Solution Architect (DSA) will have a broad understanding of technologies including various data structures, databases, O365, public / private hybrid cloud environment and SaaS solutions. The DSA will work closely with business representatives and other EA, SA to better understand business needs/requirements, create high and low-level design, conduct design reviews, support implementation/delivery and transition of solutions into service. Also support other projects on data related work and act as an authority.

DSA shall be a confident direction setter and subject matter expert who is able to communicate with business and technical stakeholders in a compelling and engaging manner. You will be responsible for providing strategic direction, expertise and leadership around data/information.

Please note we use a Recruitment Agency to assist us with the recruitment for this role and we will share all applications we receive with them.

Role Responsibility

Main Responsibilities for Data Architect:

• Accountable for understanding the business requirements / processes, available information, and data structures, and designing information presentation / analysis solutions for business benefits.
• Define Data Architecture, including the production of Road Maps and Target State Architectures, ensuring technical solutions developed aligns with IT strategy and technology direction.
• Responsible for facilitating business and technical workshops, deriving business and technical requirements, and creating business process maps and user stories as required.
• Responsible for the architecture of Databases, Data Warehouses and Reporting Platforms for Azure.
• Act as the technical Design Authority on behalf of the Head of Architecture for all approved solutions that are to be delivered.
• Evangelist for good data management and informed decision making. Balance business needs within the technical and cyber security challenges.
• Undertake solution assessments and fit-gap analysis.
• Produce high level designs, diagrams, and blueprints; and be able to communicate/explain it to various stakeholders.
• Work closely with project delivery team and support to resolve technical issues as required.
• Analyse risk and impact of technology solution on organisation and communicate it.
• Decision maker for reporting and dashboarding with the capability to design and deliver MI and BI.
• Work closely with business information analysis team and provide necessary support, tools and guidance.

The Ideal Candidate

Essential Criteria for Data Architect:

• Preferably, have previously led the end-to-end design of a data platform from vision setting, defining the target state, and producing a roadmap for delivery.
• Cloud data architecture skills using a top tier cloud services vendor e.g. Azure. Experience of producing highly effective designs able to cope with legacy systems and technologies.
• Demonstrable experience of similar position/role or working within established architecture practice. Developed enterprise level solution design and delivered it accordingly using suitable technologies, adopting appropriate standards and governance.
• Experience and knowledge of all data structures and designs, e.g. data lakes, ODS, sql and no-sql, structured and unstructured data.
• Produce quality documentation and visual design skills (such as high-level designs). Clear understanding of how to design for high levels of data privacy and security.
• Proven knowledge and experience with ETL tooling, reporting services and data warehouses.
• Exposure to and understanding of Master Data Management.
• Experienced in hybrid environments combining on premise, private and public cloud.
• Ability to obtain SC level security clearance (this includes but is not limited to identity, employment, financial and criminal record checks plus 5 years’ worth of UK residency).

Desirable Criteria for Data Architect:

• Demonstrable experience in information technology sector (such as an architecture role, technical analyst, application development, network, or infrastructure engineering etc).
• Good understanding of solution architecture, and certification (or working towards) industry standards like Enterprise and Solutions Architect, ITIL, Cloud Architecture Technical architect etc.
• Experience of ERP systems, integration and data architecture is desirable.
• Articulate, clear and concise communicator, with good presentation skills.
• Ability to grasp new concept quickly, learn it and work in an agile manner independently.
• Knowledge and experience to recommend, adopt, customise, and apply industry standards and frameworks for technology architecture, business change and transformation.
• Experience of working in accredited / regulated environments and required documentation, with knowledge of balancing business benefit with technology risk.
• Be self-motivated, proactive and customer focused with excellent organisational skills.
• Some experience with coding, e.g. Python, within a data context; knowledge of Integration Architecture designs, Data Analytics and Big Data skills.
• Awareness and understanding of the benefits of Infrastructure as Code.
• Awareness of Software Development practices, tools and techniques, e.g. version control, CI/CD.
• Work in an agile way: role will require a combination of business analysis, technical leadership during the solutioning phase, research and development and designing solutions.
• Be familiar with current and future data capability / information management trends and be able to demonstrate successful application to solve real world business problems.
• Degree in IT or engineering related subjects with relevant technology certification / accreditations.

About the Company

Grounded in robust science and decades of experience, National Nuclear Laboratory (NNL) is the authoritative voice in the UK and beyond for technological development within the nuclear power sector.

Our unparalleled understanding of the science, challenges and opportunities makes us an unrivalled authority and partner in the field, providing experts, technologies, and access to cutting-edge facilities to organisations around the world.

Harnessing potential technologies and translating them into to industry-ready solutions means our pioneering approach spearheads international improvement and technological progress.

We work on projects as small as drilling a hole to analyse underground wastes with our integrated micro drilling technology, or as large as developing state-of-the-art power systems for spacecraft, based on radioactive materials

NNL has a vision for Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (ED&I) where NNL aims to be an inclusive workplace that attracts diverse talent through transparent and equal policies and procedures. We want you and the diverse mix of people that we employ, customers that we service and stakeholders that we influence to feel valued. We encourage a workplace culture where everyone can thrive with a sense of belonging.

Recruitment Agency Notice

We operate a strict Preferred Supplier List (PSL) for the provision of recruitment services. Only agencies on our PSL may provide CVs and only when the role is released to them by our recruitment team. We will not accept unsolicited CVs from suppliers not currently on our PSL. We explicitly reserve the right to add candidate details from unsolicited CVs from non-PSL agencies into our own candidate database and to pursue/hire such candidate(s) without any obligation, financial or otherwise, to the agency concerned.

National Nuclear Laboratory