Principal Architect

Simpson Associates transforms raw data into actionable insights that drive positive change. Our Microsoft data expertise, our specialist sector knowledge, plus our innovative and trusted advice and guidance are just some of the reasons clients choose to work with us. Our mission is to help purpose-led organisations from within the public and private sectors to harness data as a lever for change and enable them to realise business value more quickly. We provide the full range of services to support organisations on their data transformation journey. From advisory support and data strategy, to developing Data & AI solutions, right through to providing a range of managed services. We are a Microsoft Solutions Partner, holding Specialisations in AI Platform on Microsoft Azure, Build AI Apps on Microsoft Azure, Analytics on Microsoft Azure, Data Warehouse Migration to Microsoft Azure and Migrate Enterprise Applications to Microsoft Azure, as well as holding Solutions Partner designations in Data & AI (Azure); Digital & App Innovation (Azure); Infrastructure (Azure) and Security. But it's not just about the badges. We are proud to be recognised as the winner of the 2024 Microsoft Community Response Partner of the Year award, reflecting our dedication to using technology for positive change. We are also a Databricks partner, and an IBM Gold Partner, specialising in Cognos Analytics and Planning Analytics. With offices in York and Sheffield, and a team based throughout the UK – we champion creativity, innovation and collaboration in the workplace. The Role We’re looking for a Principal Architect to spearhead innovative data and analytics solutions, with an emphasis on modern lakehouse architectures. You'll be the go-to expert guiding our delivery teams on best practices, frameworks, and accelerators, making sure everything we do is consistent and high quality. This is a hands-on leadership position where you'll blend big-picture technical strategy with hands-on technical delivery. Expect to design large-scale enterprise solutions, mentor the team, and serve as a reliable advisor to clients as they transform their data landscapes. Key Responsibilities Lead Solution Design : Take charge of architecting and rolling out sophisticated data and analytics platforms using lakehouse architectures on tools like Databricks and Microsoft Fabric. Drive Engineering Standards : Define and implement coding guidelines, CI/CD pipelines, DevOps approaches, and reusable templates. Hands-On Technical Delivery : Bring your expertise to building secure, governed lakehouse environments, always prioritising data privacy, security, and robust governance. Platform Mastery : Dive deep into leading lakehouse tech, including Databricks (with Delta Lake and Unity Catalog) and Microsoft Fabric. Mentor and Support Teams : Guide delivery teams, help to tackle tricky problems, and enable colleagues to level up their skills. Client Guidance : Be the strategic tech voice for clients, running workshops and bolstering pre-sales efforts with solid technical insight. Data Architecture : Implement medallion architectures to organise data effectively, boosting reliability, speed, and readiness for analytics. Skills and Attributes Required In-depth knowledge of modern lakehouse architectures and key data platforms, particularly Databricks and Microsoft Fabric. Track record in solution architecture for enterprise data and analytics projects. Solid grasp of data engineering, including pipelines (ETL/ELT, streaming, batch) and integration methods. Proficiency in software engineering basics, DevOps, and automation tools (Azure DevOps or GitHub Actions). Hands-on experience with Microsoft Azure for scalable cloud data solutions. Strong skills in Python, SQL, and Spark for data processing and optimisation. Excellent communication skills to break down complex tech ideas into straightforward terms. A team-oriented approach with a genuine enthusiasm for pushing boundaries and sharing best practices. Advantageous Qualifications and Skills The following would be a bonus: Experience prepping lakehouse platforms for AI/ML tasks, such as feature engineering, model training, or hooking up with generative AI. AI/ML tools (e.g., MLflow in Databricks, experiments in Fabric, or Azure ML integration). Certifications like Databricks Certified Data Engineer Professional, Microsoft Certified: Fabric Analytics Engineer Associate (DP-600) or Fabric Data Engineer Associate (DP-700). Background in troubleshooting data quality issues, performance tuning, or cloud migrations. Successful applicants will need to pass security clearance & NPPV Level 3. Simpson Associates reserves the right to close the recruitment process at any time.