At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead data centre transformation projects from strategy to execution, ensuring technical soundness and compliance.
- Company: Join a leading tech firm focused on innovative infrastructure solutions.
- Benefits: Attractive salary, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on continuous improvement and stakeholder engagement.
- Why this job: Be a trusted technical leader and make a real impact in transforming data centres.
- Qualifications: 12+ years in data centre architecture with strong delivery and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 88000 £ per year.
Delivery Architecture | Customer-Embedded (Onsite/Hybrid as per customer needs)
Experience
10–15+ years in Data Center / Infrastructure Architecture and Transformation
Role Overview
We are seeking a
Data Center Transformation Architect to be deployed within a customer environment to lead and support their data center transformation journey end-to-end —from strategy and planning through target-state design, migration planning, governance, and execution oversight .
The architect will act as the customer’s trusted technical leader, ensuring the transformation is technically sound, secure, resilient, compliant, and operationally adoptable , while coordinating across multiple technology towers and delivery teams.
Key Responsibilities
- 1) Strategy, Assessment & Planning
- Lead current-state assessments across compute, storage, network, virtualization, backup, DR, monitoring, and operational processes.
- Define transformation strategy and roadmap , including guiding principles, standards, target-state options, and phased execution plan.
- Translate business drivers (cost, resilience, regulatory requirements, exit/refresh timelines) into architecture priorities and delivery plans .
- Develop capacity and demand planning inputs (growth forecasts, constraints, critical workloads, performance baselines).
- 2) Target-State Architecture & Design Ownership
• Own end-to-end DC target architecture , including
- Compute platforms, HCI (where applicable), standard builds
- Storage strategy (SAN/NAS/Object, tiering, replication, backup integration)
- Network/DC fabric design (segmentation, routing, HA patterns, load balancing)
- Virtualization and platform modernization (VMware/Hyper-V/KVM; container readiness)
- Security architecture alignment (segmentation, controls, hardening, IAM integration)
- Resilience and DR architecture (fault domains, HA design, RPO/RTO mapping)
• Produce and govern architecture deliverables
HLD/LLD, reference architectures, design decisions, and patterns .
- Ensure designs are aligned to operational supportability , including monitoring, patching, backup, DR drills, and incident/problem processes.
- Define migration approach and patterns
(rehost/replatform/refactor where applicable).
- Create migration factory design inputs : wave planning, dependency mapping, cutover runbooks, rollback plans, and risk mitigations.
- Partner with application teams to validate workload suitability, downtime constraints, and sequencing.
- Ensure service continuity through cutovers, failover testing, and stabilization activities.
- 4) Architecture Governance & Delivery Assurance
• Establish architecture governance
design reviews, checkpoints, technical risk management, and exception handling .
- Act as the final authority for technical decisions, ensuring adherence to standards and non-functional requirements.
- Guide multiple delivery streams (compute/storage/network/security/operations) to ensure integrated outcomes.
- Perform ongoing technical assurance : validate build quality, configuration compliance, performance, and resilience readiness.
- 5) Stakeholder Management & Collaboration
- Serve as primary technical interface with customer stakeholders: Infrastructure leadership, Enterprise Architecture, Security, Operations, and Vendors.
- Communicate architecture trade-offs clearly (risk, cost, time) and maintain transparent decision logs.
- Coordinate with OEMs/partners where required for design validation, compatibility, and escalation.
- 6) Documentation & Knowledge Transfer
- Support knowledge transfer into customer operations and managed services teams, ensuring smooth transition to steady state.
- Required Skills & Experience
- 12+ years of experience in infrastructure / data center architecture, with proven delivery ownership of large-scale DC transformation programs.
• Strong practical expertise across
- Compute
- (x86), standard builds, lifecycle/refresh planning
- Storage architecture (SAN/NAS/Object), replication, backup integration, performance sizing
- Networking in DC environments (segmentation, HA, DC fabric concepts)
- Virtualization
- (VMware strongly preferred) and platform modernization
- DR/BCP design and testing practices (RPO/RTO engineering)
- Proven ability to create strategy + roadmap and translate into implementable designs .
- Strong delivery mindset: ability to work in complex environments with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
- Excellent documentation and communication skills, including executive-level narrative and technical depth.
- Preferred / Good-to-Have
- Experience in regulated environments (pharma), audit readiness, and security control alignment.
- Exposure to hybrid connectivity patterns and integration with cloud landing zones.
- Working knowledge of automation/Ia C concepts (Ansible/Terraform) and standardized build pipelines.
- ITIL/ITSM familiarity and operational model design (monitoring, patching, CMDB, change governance).
- Certifications (nice to have): VMware (VCP/VCAP), TOGAF, Cisco (CCNP), ITIL, OEM certifications.
- Success Measures (What “Good” Looks Like)
- Approved
DC transformation strategy and target-state architecture , with clear phased roadmap.
- Stable, repeatable design governance with reduced rework and fewer technical escalations.
- Migration execution enabled by robust wave planning, cutover runbooks, and minimized outages.
- Measurable improvements in resilience, compliance posture, standardization, and operational readiness.
- Strong stakeholder confidence and adoption by customer operations teams.
- Customer-first, consultative approach with strong ownership and accountability.
- Structured problem solving, decision-making discipline, and risk-based thinking.
- Ability to operate calmly in high-pressure cutover and major incident situations.
- Strong collaboration across towers; comfortable leading without direct authority.
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
DataCentre Transformation Architect employer: Test Triangle
As a Project Lead L1 at our esteemed global investment banking client, you will thrive in a dynamic work culture that prioritises innovation and collaboration. We offer competitive benefits, including professional development opportunities and a supportive environment that encourages growth and advancement within the financial sector. Join us in a location that fosters both personal and professional fulfilment, where your contributions directly impact large-scale technology transformations.