Senior Data Architect - Leading GIS/Geo-spatial Telco SaaS Business

Zearch are partnering with a leading GIS/Geo-spatial SaaS business and hiring for an experienced Data Architect to work on some top priority projects in the Telco & Utilities sectors.

Data Strategy & Assessment

• Collaborate directly with clients to evaluate the technical quality and business value of their datasets, performing detailed assessments to audit critical data elements.
• Assist clients in defining processes for data governance, ensuring data accuracy, completeness, and integrity across systems.
• Conduct comprehensive reviews of client systems to understand the structure and flow of customer interaction and life-cycle data.

GIS Data Modeling & Transformation

• Design GIS data models aligned with the client’s business objectives, transforming existing data structures using tools such as Python, Perl, Safe FME, and proprietary transformation utilities.
• Translate complex datasets into standardized formats that support scalable, automated transformation workflows.
• Establish automated ingestion processes to collect and process client data, triggering transformation routines as needed.

Documentation & Compliance

• Create and maintain detailed documentation of data architectures, model configurations, and data transfer processes.
• Ensure alignment with privacy and security compliance requirements, including standards such as PII, PCI, PI, FERC, and CPNI, based on project-specific guidelines.

Deployment & Operational Support

• Serve as a key contributor on deployment teams, driving successful implementation of new data models for client-facing applications.
• Partner with client stakeholders to prioritize and select data sources based on assessment outcomes and overarching business goals.
• Ensure all data collection and transfer methods are clearly documented and meet current best practices and internal standards.
• Work closely with project managers and technical leads to integrate new enterprise data sources into ongoing projects.

ETL Development

• Develop robust, automated ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) pipelines using industry-standard tools and frameworks, prioritising scalability, reliability, and fault tolerance.

Essential Skills & Experience

• Strong background in data architecture, large-scale data modelling, and extracting business insights from raw data.
• Proficiency in data mining and manipulation, with both structured and unstructured data.
• Advanced programming skills, particularly in Python and Perl; familiarity with shell scripting and object-oriented languages (e.g., Java, JavaScript).
• Deep understanding of relational databases, data modelling principles, and entity relationship design.
• Practical experience with network design platforms and GIS/CAD tools (e.g., Smallworld, ESRI, 3GIS, Bentley, Hexagon, Crescent Link, CadTel, etc.).
• Experience with business requirement analysis and the development of reporting and analytics structures.
• Familiarity with ETL solutions, including experience with SAFE FME, is highly desirable.
• Strong knowledge of data privacy regulations and practices.
• Exposure to analytics and reporting tools is considered a plus.

General Qualifications

• Excellent communication skills, including executive presence in customer-facing roles.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with a focus on customer service and collaboration.
• Analytical mindset with exceptional attention to detail.
• Effective time manager with the ability to meet deadlines in fast-paced environments.
• Proven ability to design repeatable and automated data solutions.
• Adaptable and resilient under pressure.

Education & Background

• Bachelor’s or advanced degree in computer science, engineering, information systems, or a business/technology hybrid program (e.g., E&M, MBA).
• Significant experience in relevant technical fields may substitute for a formal IT-related degree.