Data Architect in Reading

Job Description\n

Location: Reading or Dublin (Hybrid basis)

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Job Type: Inside IR35 Day Rate

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We're looking for an experienced Solution Architect - Data & Databricks to join our Technology Architecture function. This is an initial 6 months contract role within a growing architecture practice, supporting large-scale transformation across data, technology and digital platforms.

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This position will play a key role in shaping and delivering Primark's modern Databricks Lakehouse architecture, enabling scalable, secure and cost-effective data solutions that support better decision-making, operational excellence and innovation across the organisation.

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What You’ll Do

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• Design and deliver enterprise-scale data solutions across platforms, products and business domains

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• Define and evolve Databricks Lakehouse architectures, including environments, workspaces, governance and Unity Catalog

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• Apply medallion architecture and modern end-to-end data engineering patterns across ingestion, quality, enrichment and consumption

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• Define appropriate data models for different business and technical use cases

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• Shape approaches to data products, data contracts, governance and data discoverability

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• Develop and maintain solution architectures, architectural principles, standards and technical documentation

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• Work closely with engineering teams to embed CI/CD, automation and infrastructure-as-code

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• Ensure solutions meet requirements for security, compliance, resilience, performance and operational support

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• Identify opportunities for Databricks and cloud cost optimisation, including DBU consumption

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• Contribute to architectural governance, design decisions and technology standards

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• Analyse complex requirements and translate them into pragmatic, scalable technical solutions

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• Communicate architectural decisions, technical concepts and trade-offs clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders

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• Provide technical leadership and guidance throughout the solution development lifecycle

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• Support engineering and delivery teams through implementation and ensure architectural integrity is maintained

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What You’ll Bring

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• Deep understanding of solution architecture principles, frameworks and best practices, including TOGAF or equivalent

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• Proven experience designing Databricks Lakehouse architectures, including workspaces, environments and Unity Catalog governance

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• Strong understanding of medallion architecture and end-to-end data engineering patterns

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• Solid data modelling expertise, with the ability to select appropriate approaches for different use cases

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• Experience with data products, data contracts, governance and data discoverability

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• Strong engineering mindset with practical experience of CI/CD, automation and infrastructure-as-code

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• Good understanding of performance tuning, operational resilience and cost optimisation

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• Strong knowledge of data security, compliance and technology risk

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• Demonstrable experience optimising cloud and Databricks DBU costs

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• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to a broad stakeholder audience

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Successful Candidates Will Have

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• 8+ years’ experience working in technology

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• 5+ years’ experience designing and delivering enterprise-scale technology solutions across platforms, products or domains

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• Experience working across the systems development lifecycle, with a strong understanding of delivery best practices

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• Experience working within architectural governance frameworks and contributing to standards and technology decision-making

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• Knowledge of other enterprise data platforms, such as Snowflake and AWS Data Lakehouse

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• Previous experience in retail, ideally within a leading and innovative retailer

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• Familiarity with retail or fashion technology landscapes and industry trends

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• Experience providing technical leadership, mentoring and guidance to junior colleagues and peers

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• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across technology and business teams

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• A proactive, pragmatic and curious mindset, with a passion for modern data architecture and continuous improvement

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• The ability to balance strategic architecture with practical engineering considerations in complex enterprise environments

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