At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the technical architecture for a major public sector data programme on Microsoft Azure.
- Company: Join a leading tech firm shaping the future of public services.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with travel to client sites and potential for contract extension.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on services for over 22 million citizens.
- Qualifications: Extensive experience in cloud data platforms and Microsoft Azure Fabric required.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
Job Description – Technical Architect (SFIA Level 5)
Programme: Unified Data Platform (UDP) – Azure Microsoft Fabric
SFIA Level: Level 5 – Ensure, Advise
DDaT Role: Technical Architect
Contract Duration: Up to 36 months (with potential extension)
Location: Leeds / London / Sheffield / Remote (hybrid – travel to client sites as required)
Security Clearance: SC Clearance (required for this role)
Job Summary – What Makes This Role Exciting
An exceptional opportunity to shape the technical direction of one of the UK's most significant public sector data programmes. As a Senior Technical Architect on the client Unified Data Platform, you will define and govern the end-to-end technical architecture of a cloud‑native data Lakehouse on Microsoft Azure Fabric, enabling data‑driven services for over 22 million citizens across Universal Credit, State Pension, and disability benefits.
At SFIA Level 5, you will own the High‑Level and Low‑Level architectural designs, provide technical leadership across the data engineering, DevOps, and infrastructure squads, and serve as the primary technical authority for the programme. You will represent the programme at client Digital Design Authority, Red Lines Assessment boards, and other governance forums, ensuring all architectural decisions are compliant, defensible, and aligned to client strategic vision.
Key Responsibilities
- Define, own, and maintain the end‑to‑end technical architecture for the client UDP on Microsoft Azure Fabric; produce and gain approval for HLD and LLD artefacts.
- Provide technical governance leadership: represent the programme at client Digital Design Authority, Red Lines Assessment, and security governance boards; ensure all designs meet client standards.
- Lead architectural decision‑making across the Microsoft Fabric Lakehouse, including medallion architecture design, data integration patterns, OneLake governance, and Microsoft Purview integration.
- Provide technical leadership and oversight to Data Engineers, DevOps Engineers, and Infrastructure Engineers; review designs, conduct code and architecture reviews, and enforce standards.
- Define non‑functional requirements (NFRs) including performance, scalability, availability, security, and disaster recovery; validate these are met throughout the build lifecycle.
- Lead knowledge transfer of architectural design decisions, patterns, and documentation to client teams; build internal capability and ensure operational readiness.
Essential Technical Skills
- Extensive experience as a Technical or Solution Architect on large‑scale cloud data platform programmes.
- Extensive knowledge of Microsoft Azure Fabric – Lakehouse, Warehouse, Data Pipelines, OneLake, Fabric Notebooks, Real‑Time Analytics, and Power BI integration.
- Extensive experience designing data Lakehouse architectures (medallion architecture, Delta Lake, Apache Spark).
- Strong expertise in Azure data services: Azure Data Factory, ADLS Gen2, Azure Synapse Analytics, Azure Databricks.
- Strong knowledge of Microsoft Purview for enterprise data governance, cataloguing, lineage, and compliance.
- Strong experience with Azure security architecture: Entra ID, Private Endpoints, Azure Key Vault, Microsoft Defender for Cloud, and zero‑trust networking.
- Strong experience producing HLD and LLD documentation for governance and assurance processes.
- Good experience with infrastructure‑as‑code (Bicep/Terraform) and Azure DevOps CI/CD architecture.
Nice to Have Skills
- Experience presenting at senior governance forums (e.g., government Digital Design Authority or equivalent).
- Familiarity with TOGAF or other enterprise architecture frameworks.
- Experience migrating from on‑premises data warehouses or AWS/Azure Synapse to Microsoft Fabric.
- Knowledge of UK government security standards (NCSC Cloud Security Principles, OFFICIAL‑SENSITIVE classification).
- Experience in client Digital or comparable DDAT‑governed public sector programmes.
Domain / Behaviours
- Ability to operate at both strategic and technical levels – from governance boards to code reviews.
- Strong influencing and communication skills with senior client stakeholders and multi‑supplier teams.
- Commitment to building lasting client capability through knowledge transfer and documentation.
- Pragmatic and delivery‑focused approach to architecture – balancing aspiration with programme reality.
- High levels of personal integrity and accountability, consistent with working in a sensitive government environment.
Qualifications
- Relevant degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ‑305) – essential.
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate (DP‑203) or Fabric Analytics Engineer (DP‑600) – desirable.
- TOGAF 9/10 Certification – desirable.
Travel Required
Yes – travel to client sites (Leeds, London, Sheffield) as required.
Senior Azure Technical Architect (SC Cleared or Eligible) in London employer: Cognizant
Join a forward-thinking organisation that is dedicated to shaping the future of public sector data services. As a Senior Azure Technical Architect, you will thrive in a collaborative and innovative work culture that prioritises employee growth and development, offering opportunities for continuous learning and professional advancement. With flexible hybrid working arrangements and the chance to make a significant impact on the lives of over 22 million citizens, this role provides a unique blend of meaningful work and a supportive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Azure Technical Architect (SC Cleared or Eligible) in London
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Azure Technical Architect (SC Cleared or Eligible) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In IT consulting, it's all about problem-solving, so make sure your CV highlights your analytical skills and any relevant projects you've tackled. Mention specific technologies or methodologies you've used to resolve issues or improve processes; this shows you can think critically and deliver results, which is vital for us at Cognizant.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Certifications like ITIL, PMP, or even specific tech stack qualifications can really make you stand out. Make sure to include these in your CV, as they not only demonstrate your expertise but also your commitment to staying current in the field. We love seeing candidates who are proactive about their professional development!
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How to prepare for a job interview at Cognizant
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Skills
For an IT consulting role, be ready to demonstrate your technical prowess. You might face questions on systems integration, cloud technologies, or even troubleshooting specific software. If you have experience with tools like AWS, Azure, or even specific programming languages, make sure you can talk about them fluently.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Approach
IT consulting is all about solving problems for clients. Think about how you can illustrate your approach to a past challenge using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). It's a great way to show how you tackle complex issues and come up with effective solutions.
✨Know the Business Impact of IT Solutions
When discussing your experiences, focus not just on the tech solutions you implemented, but also on their business impact. Employers want to see that you can connect IT with organisational goals. Prep examples that highlight how your tech contributions improved efficiency or reduced costs for past clients or projects.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Since IT consulting often involves teamwork and client interactions, expect behavioural questions that assess your interpersonal skills. Be prepared with examples that demonstrate your adaptability, communication skills, and how you handle client feedback. Before the interview, think of situations where you worked closely with clients to create effective IT strategies or changes.
