Intro
We are pleased to present an exciting opportunity for a Data Architect to join our Data Architecture TSG team. This role is offered as Full Time Employee, with the benefit of hybrid working arrangements.
Who we are
Railpen is responsible for the safekeeping and investment of around £34 billion in assets and the administration of several pension schemes, including the Railways Pension Scheme, one of the UK's largest and longest established pension funds.
Our heritage of looking after the pension needs of the rail industry and its employees gives us our name and our unique outlook on how we serve our members. Railpen takes a holistic view, focusing on how we serve members today and how we can positively impact the communities and the world they will retire into.
To learn more about Railpen including our values, culture and purpose, visit our LinkedIn Life page here.
The role
The core purpose of the Data Architect role is to provide architectural leadership across Railpen’s data ecosystem, shaping the design, governance, and evolution of data platforms supporting Member Services, Finance, and Pension Investment Management (PIM).
The role is responsible for defining and governing enterprise data architecture standards, including modelling approaches, integration patterns, and platform design, ensuring solutions are scalable, secure, and aligned to Railpen’s wider technology and AI strategy.
This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK.
The person
- Strong experience with MS SQL Server (2016+) and Microsoft Fabric
- Proven ability to design business-focused data models
- Solid background in data warehousing, data integration, and ETL/ELT processes
- Good understanding of data usage across operational systems, reporting, and analytics
- Knowledge of the systems development lifecycle (SDLC) and delivery/design processes
- Experience designing and governing scalable, robust, and maintainable data solutions
- Ability to collaborate across teams and provide guidance to engineers
- Exposure to Python, Azure Data Factory, and Microsoft data stack (desirable)
- Strong communication skills to articulate technical concepts and project goals
- Passion for data engineering and staying current with industry trends
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to high-quality delivery
- Ability to manage multiple projects and work both independently and in teams
- Collaborative mindset aligned to integrity, community, and constructive challenge
What we can offer you
Rewarding you
- A competitive salary
- 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
- Generous annual bonus plan
- We provide membership of the Railways Pension Scheme, a Defined Contributions arrangement under which you get a pension for life and a lump sum when you retire, based on your length of service and pay
- Life Assurance cover
- Colleague referral scheme
Heath & Wellbeing
- Employee assistance programme
- Heath cash plan
- Eye care vouchers
- Flu vaccination
Lifestyle
- We support hybrid and flexible working
- Buy and sell holidays
- Give as you earn scheme
- Paid volunteering days
- Flexible half days leave
- Electric vehicle leasing
- Cycle to work scheme
Next Steps
Please apply for the apply button or visit Careers Page by 5pm on Tuesday 25th of June 2026.
Railpen is committed to creating an inclusive and diverse environment, we value diversity and welcome people from all backgrounds and walks of life
Skills Required
- Strong experience with MS SQL Server (2016+)
- Experience with Microsoft Fabric
- Proven ability to design business-focused data models
- Solid background in data warehousing, data integration, and ETL/ELT processes
- Good understanding of data usage across operational systems, reporting, and analytics
- Knowledge of the systems development lifecycle (SDLC) and delivery/design processes
- Experience designing and governing scalable, robust, and maintainable data solutions
- Ability to collaborate across teams and provide guidance to engineers
- Exposure to Python, Azure Data Factory, and Microsoft data stack
- Strong communication skills to articulate technical concepts and project goals
- Passion for data engineering and staying current with industry trends
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to high-quality delivery
- Ability to manage multiple projects and work both independently and in teams
- Legal right to work in the UK (no visa sponsorship)
- Collaborative mindset aligned to integrity, community, and constructive challenge
What We Do
The Railways Pension Scheme is one of the UK’s largest and longest established pension funds. Railpen is responsible for the safekeeping and investment of around £34 billion on behalf of the scheme’s 350,000 members who are connected to the railway industry. Railpen's purpose is to secure our members' future. To achieve this we invest the scheme’s assets to generate strong returns over the long term. Our members and their employers trust us with this very significant responsibility. We are proud of this responsibility, take it very seriously, and are committed to, and passionate about, improving their future lives. Generating the required returns is challenging. To be successful we must constantly strive to be considered a world-class asset owner by our stakeholders, with a proven track record of adding value for our members. This means we have to have excellent people, doing exemplary work, in every part of our business. We use the size of our assets to invest wisely and influentially. Our convictions and a clear set of investment beliefs guide us through complex and changing markets. We’re not afraid to think innovatively or act boldly in the best interests of the members we are proud to serve
