At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the transformation of a large-scale data platform and optimise performance.
- Company: Global SaaS organisation focused on data insights and analytics.
- Benefits: Flexible, remote-friendly work with high-impact projects and career growth.
- Other info: Opportunity to work on cutting-edge technology and collaborate across teams.
- Why this job: Shape a modern data platform and make a real difference in decision-making.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in data engineering, expert in Databricks and SQL.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
I'm hiring a Senior BI Data Architect to join a global SaaS organisation and take ownership of a large-scale data platform transformation. This is a hands-on architecture role sitting at the intersection of data engineering and BI - where your work will directly shape how the business uses data to make decisions.
The company is a global technology business operating in the data and insights/research space, serving major clients worldwide and processing hundreds of millions of data points annually. They are investing heavily in modernising their data platform and analytics capabilities, with a strong focus on performance, scalability, and self-serve analytics.
The role involves taking full ownership of the Databricks Lakehouse and BI architecture, leading the migration away from legacy systems while building a clean, governed and scalable platform. This is not just a design role - you'll be deep in the detail, refactoring SQL, building pipelines, and optimising performance.
What you'll be doing:
- Design and implement a governed Databricks Lakehouse architecture (Unity Catalog, schemas, volumes)
- Lead migration of complex legacy SQL logic into modular, scalable pipelines
- Build and optimise data transformation frameworks using Spark/Python/SQL pipelines
- Act as the go-to expert for query performance optimisation (Spark execution plans, data skew, joins)
- Design and implement dimensional data models (star/snowflake schemas)
- Architect the semantic layer for BI (Omni or similar tools like Looker)
- Build CI/CD pipelines to automate testing and deployment
- Work with stakeholders across Product, Finance, and Commercial teams to deliver scalable solutions
What you bring:
- Must-haves:
- 8+ years in data engineering/data architecture
- Deep experience with Databricks (Lakehouse, Delta Lake, Unity Catalog)
- Expert SQL and distributed computing knowledge
- Strong experience with data modelling (star/snowflake schemas)
- Proven experience migrating legacy data platforms
- Ability to optimise performance across large datasets
- Experience with modern BI semantic layers (e.g. Looker, Omni, Superset)
- Experience with CI/CD and version control (Git)
- Nice to have:
- Experience with dbt or similar transformation frameworks
- Exposure to AI/BI or natural language querying tools
- Experience in multi-tenant or embedded analytics environments
Why this role:
- Own and shape a modern data platform at scale
- High-impact project with visible business outcomes
- Combination of architecture + hands-on engineering
- Work on performance, scalability, and governance challenges
- Flexible, remote-friendly working
What success looks like:
- A clean, governed Lakehouse architecture
- Improved performance and reduced cost across the platform
- Scalable, reusable data pipelines
- A robust semantic layer enabling self-serve analytics across the business
Senior Data Architect (8-month FTC) in Manchester employer: Harnham - Data & Analytics Recruitment
Join a forward-thinking global technology business that prioritises innovation and employee development. As a Senior Data Architect, you'll be part of a dynamic work culture that values collaboration and creativity, with ample opportunities for professional growth in a rapidly evolving field. Enjoy the flexibility of remote-friendly working while contributing to high-impact projects that directly influence business decisions and outcomes.
Contact Details:
Harnham - Data & Analytics Recruitment Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Data Architect (8-month FTC) in Manchester
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with folks in the industry! Attend meetups, webinars, or even just grab a coffee with someone who’s already in the game. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can’t.
✨Show Off Your Skills
Don’t just talk about your experience; demonstrate it! Create a portfolio showcasing your projects, especially those involving Databricks and data architecture. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can bring to the table.
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for those tricky interview questions by practising your responses. Focus on your hands-on experience with SQL, data modelling, and performance optimisation. We want to see how you think and solve problems on the spot!
✨Apply Through Our Website
When you find a role that excites you, apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Data Architect (8-month FTC) in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Senior Data Architect. Highlight your experience with Databricks, SQL, and data modelling. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for data architecture and how you’ve tackled similar challenges in the past. Let us know why you’re excited about this opportunity at StudySmarter.
Showcase Your Hands-On Experience:Since this role is hands-on, don’t shy away from detailing your practical experience. Talk about specific projects where you’ve built pipelines or optimised performance. We love seeing real-world examples!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you get the best experience possible. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Harnham - Data & Analytics Recruitment
✨Know Your Data Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the specifics of data architecture, especially around Databricks and SQL. Brush up on your knowledge of Lakehouse architecture and be ready to discuss how you've tackled similar challenges in the past.
✨Showcase Your Hands-On Experience
This role is all about being hands-on, so prepare to share examples of your work with data pipelines and performance optimisation. Be ready to dive into technical details, like how you’ve refactored SQL or built CI/CD pipelines.
✨Understand the Business Impact
It’s crucial to connect your technical skills to business outcomes. Think about how your previous projects have improved performance or reduced costs, and be prepared to discuss these impacts during the interview.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since this role involves working with various teams, demonstrate your ability to collaborate effectively. Prepare examples of how you’ve worked with product, finance, or commercial teams to deliver scalable solutions in the past.
