Lead System Architect

Lead Systems Architect – Enterprise Data Services

Role Purpose

The Lead Systems Architect is responsible for the design, implementation, and continuous optimisation of enterprise-grade database platforms across hybrid and multi-cloud environments. This role ensures high availability, scalability, and security while leading a team of senior engineers and acting as the primary technical liaison between application teams and business stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Database Platforms & Strategy

• Lead the operation of diverse SQL and NoSQL platforms across on-premises and global cloud providers.
• Oversee native cloud database services, including managed instances and integrated data fabric solutions.
• Optimise complex, high-scale, and performance-intensive database environments.

High Availability & Disaster Recovery

• Architect resilient database infrastructures across hybrid-cloud environments to ensure zero-to-minimal downtime.
• Define and validate robust backup, recovery, and failover strategies.
• Ensure seamless data integration between core applications and downstream analytics systems.

Data Architecture & Analytics Support

• Enhance and manage enterprise data warehouses and data lake environments.
• Align data platforms with organisational reporting needs, focusing on capacity planning and cost-efficiency.
• Drive performance tuning and architectural modernisation initiatives.

Operations & Security Governance

• Maintain 24/7 reliability through proactive monitoring and the definition of global SLAs and KPIs.
• Enforce rigorous security standards, including encryption, access controls, and auditing compliance.
• Lead vulnerability management, patching cycles, and root cause analysis for service improvements.

Candidate Qualifications

• Experience: 10+ years in database engineering and architecture within large-scale, mission-critical enterprise environments.
• Leadership: Proven track record of leading senior technical teams and managing complex, multi-layered projects.
• Technical Breadth: Advanced expertise in enterprise-grade SQL platforms and hands-on experience with major cloud providers (e.g., AWS, Azure, or GCP).
• Modernization: Demonstrated experience in end-to-end database migrations and cloud-native modernization.
• Security & Compliance: Deep understanding of data privacy regulations, encryption standards, and auditing protocols.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.

Preferred Certifications:

• Professional-level Cloud Architect or Database Engineer certifications.
• ITIL or equivalent service management frameworks.