Network Rail
Data Solution Architect
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Who We Are
Join Network Rail - Where People and Connections Matter
At Network Rail, we're dedicated to keeping passengers and freight moving safely and efficiently across the country. When you join us, you're not just part of a team - you're part of something that matters to millions. We believe that our people are at the heart of what we do, and every role plays a vital part in building a better, more connected railway. Click here to learn more.
We're committed to creating a diverse, inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. To discover more about our ED&I commitments click here. We value flexibility and understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance. As a Disability Confident Leader, we'll do everything we can to accommodate any needs throughout the recruitment process. You can visit Evenbreaks Career Hive for advice on accessibility support.
If you're ready to make a real difference, we'd love to hear from you!
Some Of Our Great Benefits
- We offer generous maternity, paternity, and adoption leave to support our employees during significant life moments
- Flexible/hybrid working arrangements considered
- Generous annual leave up to 28 days plus statutory days (role dependant), with the option to buy/sell days
- Discounts at selected stations with your Network Rail pass
- Defined benefit pension scheme
- 75% off leisure train tickets for you and your dependents (subject to T&Cs)
- Interest-free travel loan for train and car park season tickets
- Volunteer leave to make a positive impact
Plus more....
Vacancy Details
Vacancy type: Permanent, 35 hours per week, Hybrid working of 2/3 days in the office. We welcome applications from those seeking flexible or part time hours.
Location: London, Milton Keynes, Manchester.
Closing date: 28/08/2026
Interviews will take place W/C 07/09/2026, these will be held Virtually or Face to Face
We want to ensure all applications are reviewed in a fair and diverse manner, therefore all applications against this role are anonymised. Please ensure you fill in the profile builder to ensure you have a good opportunity to be taken forward to interview stage.
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Band & Salary: Band 3C. Salary range £55,596- £67,813 per annum
About The Role
The Data Solution Architect will act as the design authority for all data systems, storage and related applications and is responsible for the design validation of both standalone and integrated data use against the approved strategy. You will design solutions directly for customers and review designs produced by supply chain partners and 3rd parties, guaranteeing that solutions built align with the as-is and to-be technical infrastructure and supporting Design Authority.
The role is technical in nature and customer focused and it is expected that the individual can demonstrate a clear understanding of Solution Architecture design, delivery, support and maintenance cycles.
Experience in managing virtual teams, logical thinking/problem solving plus the ability to follow multiple complex standards is also essential.
Click 'apply for this job' to apply.
Main Responsibilities
The data solution architect is responsible for providing advice and consultancy to customers on data systems or capturing requirements and designing solutions to satisfy their business needs and ensure successful outcomes.
What will you be doing?
- Leading and creating detailed designs which will align with the data strategy whilst providing governance so that data flows and integration meet required standards and definitions.
- Facilitating the appropriate controlled integration of Network Rail's interfaces, data, and systems at a strategic level.
- Set and agree with functional technical leads standards for the development of data systems, storage, usage, and governance aligned with application solutions.
- Collaborate with members of the Design Authority, Enterprise, and Solution Architects to verify that proposed designs fit in with existing/proposed infrastructure and the data strategy and where non-conformant, reconfigure or seek exception approval.
- Manage senior stakeholder understanding and expectation regarding the data usage and associated application designs; confirming functionality meets agreed business needs.
- Direct resources to develop validated data systems and applications, acting as a point of clarification for complex design issues. Provide leadership and governance so that the end product delivers value for money to Network Rail.
- Responsible for the maintenance of the data system applications library of re-usable components.so that components are updated as required and made available to system integrator development teams to enable Network Rail to benefit from lower development costs.
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Your Experience And Skills
The ideal candidate
- Extensive development experience within an Agile data application development environment
- Experience of delivering architecture components/compliance within an environment where systems and services can be provided internally or via outsourced arrangements with key suppliers.
- Extensive experience and technical knowledge of cloud/web concepts and technologies (including Internet, Intranet, Extranet, Portals, IAAS, BAAS, STAAS, Storage, Azure, AWS, A.I. and API's)
- Networking, Security and Operating system concepts & technologies.
- Willing and able to work in multi-disciplinary teams to resolve business issues and problems in a collaborative fashion.
- Knowledge and experience of key Network Rail systems e.g. Ellipse, Oracle E-Business
- Knowledge and experience of IBM WebSphere Message Broker, Forum Systems and Network Rail's External Services Gateway, Cloud services and Co-Pilot A.I.
It would be nice if you have
- Ability to successfully manage, influence and negotiate with data development suppliers and / or system integrators
- Extensive technical knowledge of Data systems and application platforms and middleware concepts and technologies.
- Knowledge and experience of Data Security and systems Governance
- Knowledge in, and experience of applying testing solutions across a range of delivery, development, and software engineering life cycles, e.g. agile, RAD, JAD, DSDM
Qualifications
- Formal qualifications in Agile methodology, Microsoft Azure, Amazon AWS, would be an advantage.
Additional Information...
Contact: mark.powell4@networkrail.co.uk If you have any questions or reasonable adjustments.
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