At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the design and governance of data architecture for impactful projects.
- Company: Join Railpen, a leader in pension fund management with a focus on community impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, hybrid working, and a robust pension scheme.
- Other info: Collaborative culture that values innovation, diversity, and personal development.
- Why this job: Shape the future of data solutions while making a difference in people's lives.
- Qualifications: Experience with MS SQL Server, data modelling, and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
We are pleased to present an exciting opportunity for a Data Architect to join our Data Architecture TSG team. This role is offered as Full Time Employee, with the benefit of hybrid working arrangements.
Railpen is responsible for the safekeeping and investment of around £34 billion in assets and the administration of several pension schemes, including the Railways Pension Scheme, one of the UK's largest and longest established pension funds. Our heritage of looking after the pension needs of the rail industry and its employees gives us our name and our unique outlook on how we serve our members. Railpen takes a holistic view, focusing on how we serve members today and how we can positively impact the communities and the world they will retire into.
The core purpose of the Data Architect role is to provide architectural leadership across Railpen’s data ecosystem, shaping the design, governance, and evolution of data platforms supporting Member Services, Finance, and Pension Investment Management (PIM). The role is responsible for defining and governing enterprise data architecture standards, including modelling approaches, integration patterns, and platform design, ensuring solutions are scalable, secure, and aligned to Railpen’s wider technology and AI strategy. This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK.
Responsibilities and Qualifications
- Strong experience with MS SQL Server (2016+) and Microsoft Fabric
- Proven ability to design business-focused data models
- Solid background in data warehousing, data integration, and ETL/ELT processes
- Good understanding of data usage across operational systems, reporting, and analytics
- Knowledge of the systems development lifecycle (SDLC) and delivery/design processes
- Experience designing and governing scalable, robust, and maintainable data solutions
- Ability to collaborate across teams and provide guidance to engineers
- Exposure to Python, Azure Data Factory, and Microsoft data stack (desirable)
- Strong communication skills to articulate technical concepts and project goals
- Passion for data engineering and staying current with industry trends
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to high-quality delivery
- Ability to manage multiple projects and work both independently and in teams
- Collaborative mindset aligned to integrity, community, and constructive challenge
What we can offer you
- Competitive salary
- 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Generous annual bonus plan
- Membership of the Railways Pension Scheme, a Defined Contributions arrangement under which you get a pension for life and a lump sum when you retire, based on your length of service and pay
- Life Assurance cover
- Colleague referral scheme
- Health & Wellbeing Employee assistance programme
- Health cash plan
- Eye care vouchers
- Flu vaccination
- Lifestyle support
- Hybrid and flexible working
- Buy and sell holidays
- Give as you earn scheme
- Paid volunteering days
- Flexible half days leave
- Electric vehicle leasing
- Cycle to work scheme
Next Steps
Please apply for the apply button or visit the Careers Page by 5pm on Tuesday 25th of June 2026.
EEO Statement
Railpen is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse environment, we value diversity and welcome people from all backgrounds and walks of life. At Railpen we know that it’s the talent of our people that makes us good at what we do and enables us to continue to achieve our mission to pay members’ pensions securely, affordably and sustainably. The unique nature of Railpen offers our people a wide variety of interesting opportunities for innovation, thought leadership and personal development. We encourage people to challenge, explore unconventional ideas and give each other the space to learn from our mistakes. We take time to listen to each other’s ideas and understand what we each do, and what we need from each other to help us be at our best.
Data Architect in London employer: Railpen Limited
Railpen is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its employees, offering a competitive salary, generous annual leave, and a robust benefits package including a pension scheme and health support. With a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, Railpen fosters a collaborative work culture where innovation and personal growth are encouraged, making it an ideal place for a Data Architect to thrive in a meaningful role that impacts the community and the future of pension management.
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We think you need these skills to ace Data Architect in London
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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.
