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Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Data Architect - **Company:** Sanderson Recruitment Plc - **Location:** Cheltenham, UK - **Experience:** Expert - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Amazon Web Services, Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud, Amazon S3, Architectural Patterns, Microsoft Azure, Cloud Computing, Cloud Database, Cloud Engineering, Cyber Security, Data as a Services, Data Architecture, Data Integration, Data Integrity, Extract Transform Load (ETL), Data Security, Data Systems, Data Warehousing, DevOps, Distributed Systems, Metadata, Meta-Data Management, Cloud Services, Google Cloud, Real Time Systems, Apache Spark, Data Strategy, Amazon Relational Database Service, Apache Flink, Functional Programming, Stream Processing, Amazon Redshift - **Published:** September 29, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.totaljobs.com/job/data-architect/sanderson-government-and-defence-job108052022 ## About the Role * 6+ years' experience in Data Architecture, delivering complex, large-scale, and secure data solutions. * Strong expertise designing and implementing cloud-based data architectures, particularly within AWS environments. * Deep technical knowledge of AWS services, including EC2, S3, RDS, Lambda, Redshift, and related data services. * Proven experience designing secure architectures within sensitive or highly regulated environments. * Hands-on experience with Apache Flink and real-time data processing architectures. * Strong understanding of data modelling methodologies, architectural patterns, and industry standards. * Expertise across ETL processes, data integration, data warehousing, distributed systems, and metadata management. * Experience leading technical teams and mentoring architects, engineers, and other data professionals. * Ability to engage, influence, and build credibility with senior business and technical stakeholders. * Experience working closely with cyber security teams to ensure secure-by-design solutions. * Strong understanding of cloud operating models and DevOps-led delivery approaches. Desirable * Experience across additional cloud platforms, including Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). * Knowledge of Scala and Apache Spark. * Experience supporting pre-sales, bids, and client-facing solution development. * Exposure to government, defence, national security, or other highly regulated sectors. What You'll Bring * Strategic thinking combined with hands-on technical expertise. * A consultative approach with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels. * Passion for delivering secure, high-quality data solutions that drive business value. * Strong leadership skills with a commitment to developing and mentoring others. * A collaborative mindset and the ability to thrive in fast-paced, project-driven environments. ## Description We're looking for an experienced Lead Data Architect to play a pivotal role in shaping data strategy and delivering innovative solutions across a portfolio of complex, business-critical programmes. This is an opportunity to work on high-profile projects within secure environments, helping organisations unlock the full value of their data through modern cloud-native architectures. You'll lead the design of scalable, resilient, and secure data platforms, provide technical leadership across multidisciplinary teams, and act as a trusted advisor to both clients and internal stakeholders. If you're passionate about data architecture, cloud technologies, and driving meaningful outcomes in highly regulated environments, we'd love to hear from you., * Lead engagement with internal and external stakeholders to understand business objectives and translate requirements into effective data strategies and architectural solutions. * Design, develop, and implement secure, scalable, and high-performing data architectures that align with business, security, and operational requirements. * Architect and deliver cloud-native data solutions across AWS and other leading cloud platforms, enabling both batch and real-time data processing capabilities. * Provide technical leadership and mentorship to data engineers, architects, and delivery teams, promoting best practices across architecture, security, and cloud engineering. * Define and implement robust data models, ETL pipelines, metadata frameworks, and modern data warehousing solutions. * Design and optimise large-scale streaming data platforms using technologies such as Apache Flink and other real-time processing frameworks. * Ensure all solutions comply with industry best practices, governance frameworks, and regulatory requirements, maintaining the highest standards of security and data integrity. * Oversee architectural governance, ensuring technical delivery remains aligned with approved designs and proactively managing any design deviations. * Support business development, pre-sales activities, and client proposals by providing architectural expertise and technical leadership. * Identify and address breaches in data standards, providing recommendations and remediation strategies to improve compliance and quality. * Stay at the forefront of emerging technologies, trends, and best practices within cloud, data, and security domains, bringing innovative thinking into client engagements. ## Related Videos - [From Messy Queries to Scalable Systems - How Data Engineering actually works](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100203-from-messy-queries-to-scalable-systems-how-data-engineering-actually-works) - [WeAreDevelopers LIVE - CSS is DOOMed](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1838-wearedevelopers-live-css-is-doomed) - [A Data Mesh needs Open Metadata](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/505-a-data-mesh-needs-open-metadata) - [Shifting Stress to Progress— Understanding DevOps to do DevOps Better](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/268-shifting-stress-to-progress-understanding-devops-to-do-devops-better) - [Hate organising your photos? 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