At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape data management and exploitation to make a positive impact on our planet.
- Company: Join the Met Office, a leader in weather accuracy and climate prediction.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, Civil Service pension, and hybrid working options.
- Other info: Great career growth opportunities in a supportive and inclusive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference while working with cutting-edge data technologies.
- Qualifications: Experience with API-driven architectures and a passion for environmental data.
The predicted salary is between 67624 - 67624 £ per year.
We’re looking for a Data Architect to help us shape how our data is managed, shared and exploited to make a difference to our planet. The job may be suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in the office and part of the week from home. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and the location advertised will be your contractual place of work. Our opportunity is full time, 37 hours per week, based in Exeter HQ.
Our people are at the heart of what we do and we’ll do our best to agree a working pattern that works for everyone.
Your world of expertise:
- We are a data-centric organisation where trusted, discoverable and reusable data is a strategic asset.
- Working with complex scientific, meteorological and environmental data, you’ll help shape how data is managed, shared and exploited across the Met Office and through our Defence portfolio of products and services.
- You will work closely with the Senior Data Architect combining data architecture, governance, data engineering and technical enablement.
- You’ll help design data models, metadata frameworks and integration patterns whilst also producing technical standards, reference implementations, automation tooling and reusable components that support delivery teams in adopting best practice.
- As Defence capabilities continue to evolve, you’ll help define, implement and promote common data architectures, standards and engineering patterns that enable people and systems to find, understand and use data consistently.
Your key duties:
- Support the Senior Data Architect in developing and maintaining Defence data strategy and architecture roadmaps.
- Contribute to the design of data pipelines, data hubs and cloud-native data services.
- Support implementation of API-first architectures, Environmental Data Retrieval (EDR) services and data products.
- Help delivery teams adopt standardised approaches to data validation, quality assurance and metadata capture.
- Support compliance with organisational, Defence, WMO and OGC standards.
- Work with scientists, engineers, architects and Defence stakeholders to understand requirements and translate them into data solutions.
Why join us:
The Met Office is Great Place to Work UK certified. We are also featured on their ‘Best Workplaces in Tech’ 2023, 2024 and 2025 lists, as well as their ’54 Best Workplaces for Women’ 2023 list. As our Data Architect, your total reward package will be up to £67,624 annually, which includes:
- £44,589 base pay
- An outstanding Civil Service pension, with an average employer contribution of 28.97%
- Recruitment Retention Allowance (RRA) of £5,300 per annum as a market supplement to reflect the demand for your skills.
- Annual Leave starting at 27.5 days (plus Bank Holidays) rising to 32.5 days (plus Bank Holidays) after 5 years and option to buy or sell up to 5 days per year of annual leave.
Essential Criteria, skills and experience:
- An understanding of API-driven architectures and data integration patterns, with the ability to apply this knowledge across the defence landscape.
- The ability to establish and maintain productive relationships with a wide range of colleagues, partners, customers and stakeholders and negotiate effectively with them to ensure successful outcomes.
- Knowledge of modern cloud-based data platforms and services.
- Experience working with structured, semi-structured and geospatial/environmental data.
- A strong interest in environmental, meteorological and climate data.
Using AI in your application:
We welcome applications that use AI tools for support in drafting or refining, as long as they accurately reflect your own skills and experience. All hiring decisions at the Met Office are made by people, not AI.
How We Can Help:
If you have any questions or would like to discuss this opportunity further, please contact us at careers@metoffice.gov.uk. If you’re considering applying and need support to do so, please get in touch. You can request adjustments either within your application or by contacting us.
Should you be offered an interview, please be aware there may be a selection exercise which could include a presentation, written test or a scenario-based activity. You can select in your application to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme. To be invited to interview/assessment under this scheme, your application must meet the essential criteria for the role.
We understand that great minds don’t always think alike and as an equal opportunities employer we welcome applications from those with all protected characteristics. We recruit on merit, fairness, and open competition in line with the Civil Service Code.
We can only accept applications from those eligible to live and work in the UK - please refer to GOV.UK for information. We require Security clearance without caveats and/or restrictions for this role, for which you need to have resided in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years to be eligible, 2 of these years must be immediately preceding the point of your application.
Data Architect in Exeter employer: Met Office
The Met Office is an exceptional employer, offering a unique opportunity for a Corporate Risk Manager to contribute to world-changing work in a supportive and inclusive environment. With a strong focus on employee well-being, hybrid working options, and a commitment to professional development, we empower our staff to thrive while making a meaningful impact on climate intelligence. Join us and be part of a team that values innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement, all while enjoying a competitive reward package and generous leave entitlements.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Data Architect in Exeter
✨Get Involved in Data Science Meetups
Tap into local data science meetups or workshops to connect with fellow enthusiasts and professionals. These events are goldmines for networking, and sometimes even lead directly to job openings at companies like Met Office!
✨Show Off Your Projects
Start building a public portfolio showcasing your data science projects on platforms like GitHub or personal websites. Highlight unique analyses or models you've developed. This not only demonstrates your skills but also gets your name out there for roles like Data Architect at Met Office.
✨Leverage Professional Networks
Join professional bodies related to data science, like the Data Science Society or similar organisations. Getting involved can lead to mentorship opportunities and insider knowledge about full-time positions at companies like Met Office.
✨Apply Directly through Our Website
When you find a suitable opening like Data Architect at Met Office, make sure to apply directly through our website. It gives you an edge and shows you're keen to join our team. Plus, who doesn’t love a direct application? It’s easier than navigating through job boards!
We think you need these skills to ace Data Architect in Exeter
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Projects:In the world of data science, your projects can speak volumes about your skills. Make sure to showcase a few key projects in your CV or portfolio, especially those that highlight your ability to work with data sets, build models, or use relevant tools like Python, R, or SQL. Don’t forget to include links to any GitHub repositories if applicable!
Quantify Your Achievements:Employers love numbers! When drafting your CV, highlight your achievements with quantifiable results. For instance, mention how your data analysis led to a certain percentage increase in efficiency or revenue at a previous job or project. These details can really make your application pop!
Craft a Tailored Cover Letter:For a full-time role at Met Office, your cover letter should reflect your passion for data science and your excitement about the specific projects or values of the company. Dive into why you’re a good fit, how your skills align with their needs, and any unique perspectives you can bring to the team.
Stand Out with Relevant Courses and Certifications:Although experience talks, relevant courses or certifications can be your ticket to impressing hiring managers at Met Office. Mention any standout courses you've completed that equipped you with essential skills, such as machine learning certifications or data visualisation courses. This shows your commitment to continuously developing your skills in the field!
How to prepare for a job interview at Met Office
✨Brush Up on Your Statistics
For a data science role, we need to seriously sharpen our statistics skills. Get ready to tackle technical questions on probability distributions, hypothesis testing, and regression analysis. These are often the bread and butter of data science interviews, so don't just skim over them!
✨Showcase Your Projects
Prepare a killer portfolio showcasing your data science projects. We should include details about the datasets used, the tools and techniques applied, and the impact of your findings. If we can walk them through a particularly challenging project or a cool visualisation that had real-world implications, it’ll really make us stand out!
✨Get Comfortable with Python and R
Most data science positions require us to be proficient in programming languages like Python and R. We should practice common libraries like pandas, NumPy, and scikit-learn, and be ready for live coding exercises or algorithm questions. Showing off our coding chops can really impress the interviewers at Met Office!
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to encounter real-world case studies during the interview. We might be asked how we’d approach a data problem or analyse a dataset to extract insights. It's essential to think out loud and demonstrate our problem-solving process so that the interviewer can see our logical thinking in action.
