Technical Architect - Data Platform Modernisation

Technical Architect - Data Platform Modernisation

• Fully remote role (with expensed travel)
• £500 to 520 per day Inside IR35
• SC Cleared role

We are seeking a highly experienced Technical Architect to lead the architectural modernisation of a large-scale, mission‑critical data platform within DWP. This is a hands‑on senior architecture role focused on transforming a complex brownfield data estate while maintaining uninterrupted service delivery. You'll be driving major technical decisions across data architecture, infrastructure, security, and cross‑cloud connectivity – shaping the future of a platform that directly supports millions of UK citizens.

1. Brownfield Architecture & Platform Modernisation

• Lead the re‑architecture of an established enterprise data platform (DWX).
• Support new microservice‑based upstream integrations and large‑scale schema evolution (300+ schemas).
• Design strategies to merge 3‑5 years of legacy data with new data models while maintaining consistent user journeys.
• Define modernisation approaches that minimise disruption to live services.

2. Data Platform & Integration Architecture

• Design modern ingestion, transformation, and storage patterns.
• Define migration and schema transition strategies that maintain data quality, lineage, and service continuity.
• Architect phased rollout approaches to reduce operational risk.

3. Infrastructure, Security & Network Architecture

• Lead the transition from bespoke UC Mac Book/VPC setups to standardised DWP environments using Zscaler.
• Define secure connectivity models between AWS‑hosted platforms and Azure‑based DWP environments.
• Ensure secure cross‑cloud data transfer, compliance, and governance.

4. Technology Modernisation & Standards Alignment

• Assess existing technology choices and define migration strategies to DWP‑aligned standards.
• Produce architecture options, technical roadmaps, and ADRs.
• Drive reduction of technical debt and alignment to DWP Digital Blueprint and Enterprise Architecture standards.

5. Leadership, Governance & Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as senior architectural authority across DWX and related platforms.
• Provide architectural assurance, governance, and strategic technical leadership.

• Proven experience as a Senior / Lead Technical Architect in complex brownfield environments.
• Deep expertise in data platform architecture, including ingestion patterns, schema evolution, and microservice integration.
• Strong AWS + Azure multi‑cloud integration experience.
• Background working within government, public sector, or regulated environments.
• Strong infrastructure, security & network architecture experience (Zscaler, VPCs, VPN, identity).
• Experience modernising critical platforms while maintaining live service delivery.
• Strong governance, security assurance and SRE handover experience.
• Excellent stakeholder communication and leadership skills.
• Strong technical documentation skills (Confluence / SharePoint).

• Event‑driven and microservice‑based data architectures.
• Kotlin experience and migration pathways to Java / Python.
• Knowledge of Power BI, CoPilot, or GenAI.