Data Architect

Data Architect

• Contract Duration: 6 months
• Location: London (Primarily remote with some travel)
• Job Type: Contract

We are seeking a Data Architect to take a leading role in the design and evolution of data architecture for a high-profile software solution project currently entering Phase 2 of its design stage. This role is ideal for someone with a strong background in data architecture and a proven ability to bridge business requirements with technical implementation.

Day-to-day of the role:

• Review and enhance the existing data model, identifying gaps against new requirements.
• Design and produce target ('to-be') logical data models.
• Define and implement Elasticsearch data structures (indices, documents, fields).
• Lead data mapping, transformation, and integration activities.
• Develop artefacts including data mapping documents, data dictionaries, and data architecture definitions.
• Support data lifecycle management (upgrade, archive, decommission).
• Ensure alignment with data governance policies and enterprise data standards.
• Provide guidance to development teams and act as the go-to expert for data queries.
• Contribute to solution design decisions, including integration with IES and POLE.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Proven experience designing document-based data models in Elasticsearch (indices, documents, and fields).
• Strong expertise working with large-scale datasets (terabytes); data extraction, ingestion, mapping, and transformation.
• Experience working with data lake architectures alongside Elasticsearch to support scalable data storage and retrieval.
• Proven ability to organise and structure data at an enterprise level, ensuring consistency, accessibility, and governance.
• Hands-on experience designing and implementing data management systems.
• Strong capability to design and optimise data ingestion and pipeline models.
• Experience supporting and influencing technology stack decisions, aligning solutions with business requirements and strategic objectives.
• Experience defining data architecture frameworks, including metadata management, integration patterns, and data warehousing or BI architectures.
• Ability to create logical and physical data models, data dictionaries, and mapping documentation.
• Strong understanding of data modelling best practices and standards.
• Capability to translate business requirements into data solutions.
• Expertise in data lifecycle management and governance.
• Strong stakeholder engagement across business and technical teams.
• Ability to operate effectively in Agile delivery environments.
• Confident in presenting and justifying architectural decisions.
• Acts as a trusted advisor and subject matter expert.
• Ability to meet SC + NPPV3 vetting requirements.
• Strong awareness of data compliance, governance, and security considerations.

Desirable:

• Experience within policing or security domains, particularly with the POLE data model.
• Familiarity with UK Information Exchange Standard (IES).
• Understanding of intelligence or communications data environments.