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 work, competitive salary, and impactful projects.
- Other info: Hands-on role with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Shape a modern data platform and drive real business outcomes.
- 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. 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: You'll take 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
Join a leading global SaaS organisation that prioritises innovation and employee growth, offering a dynamic work culture where your contributions directly impact the transformation of a large-scale data platform. With a strong commitment to modernising analytics capabilities, this role provides the opportunity to work hands-on with cutting-edge technologies while enjoying flexible, remote-friendly working arrangements. You'll be part of a collaborative team that values performance, scalability, and governance, ensuring that your expertise in data architecture is recognised and rewarded.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Data Architect (8-month FTC) in Manchester
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the data engineering and BI space. Attend meetups or webinars, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your past projects, especially those involving Databricks and SQL. This will give potential employers a taste of what you can do and how you can contribute to their data platform transformation.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge. Be ready to discuss your experience with data modelling and performance optimisation. Practise explaining complex concepts in simple terms – it shows you can communicate effectively with stakeholders.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’re always on the lookout for talented individuals like you. Make sure to tailor your application to highlight your hands-on experience with data architecture and your ability to lead migrations from legacy systems.
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 successfully led similar projects in the past. Let us know why you’re excited about this opportunity at StudySmarter.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t hold back on your technical expertise! Detail your experience with data transformation frameworks, CI/CD pipelines, and performance optimisation. We love seeing candidates who can get into the nitty-gritty of data engineering.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves!
How to prepare for a job interview at Harnham
✨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 your experience with Spark or Python, and how you've improved query performance.
✨Understand the Business Impact
Since this position involves working closely with various teams, think about how your architectural decisions can drive business outcomes. Be prepared to discuss how your previous projects have led to tangible improvements in performance and scalability.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that ask you to solve hypothetical problems related to data migration or pipeline optimisation. Practise articulating your thought process clearly, as this will demonstrate your analytical skills and ability to think on your feet.
