Data architect
Design the blueprint for how an organisation manages data and help them put your vision into practice.
Also known as: database architect, data solution architect
About the job
What it's like
Do you want a digital career where you get to think big?
Like a traditional architect, you'll come up with a vision and put it into a blueprint that others can follow. Rather than working with physical structures, you'll deal with data architecture. This means you'll design systems and processes which allow an organisation to manage their data and use it effectively.
Every sector and almost every job uses data in some way. This means you could work in any industry. You might help hospitals or clinics keep their patients’ data secure. Or maybe you'll work in technology, helping manage the huge amount of data needed for artificial intelligence (AI) projects.
What you do each day will depend on where you work. Your tasks might include:
defining a data architecture framework
designing data architecture such as databases, data models, data streams and data warehouses
identifying data sources and defining data flows
making sure data is secure, reliable and accessible
developing data governance policies and standards
collaborating with colleagues such as project managers, data engineers and data scientists
staying up to date with the latest technologies and trends
It's a senior role with a lot of responsibility, so you may also have line management tasks.
If you're a problem solver, are good with numbers and like using computers, you've got the blueprint for a career as a data architect.
Hours
In a full-time role, you'd likely work 35 to 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday. You may be expected to work irregular hours such as evenings and weekends to meet project deadlines.
Flexible working is possible in this career.
Environment
You'll work in an office environment and depending on your employer, may be able to work from home at times. Your working day will involve long periods of time sitting or standing at a computer.
Travel
Travel is not a big part of this job. You may travel for meetings with clients or between offices if you work for a large organisation.
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Other careers that you might like
Systems analyst Big data engineer Solution architect IT project analyst Infrastructure engineer Systems engineer Data visualisation specialist Internet-of-things architect Cloud services engineer Cyber security architect
Related industries
Many jobs can be done in lots of different industries. We've highlighted the ones we think are most important for this job.
Financial and professional services Engineering and manufacturing Digital technologies
Top skills
Skills are things you're good at. Whether you know what yours are or not, everyone has them!
It's useful to learn which ones are important in a job so you know the areas you need to brush up on. It can also help you work out if you're suited to a career.
Top specialised skills
These are the top specialised skills that have been found in job vacancies across Scotland. From March 2024 to March 2025.
- data architecture
- solution architecture
- online transaction processing
- databricks
- adaptive design
- archimate
- data as a service (daas)
- clinical data management systems
- bioanalysis
- data lakes
Meta skills
Here are some of the meta skills you'll need to do this job.
- problem solving
- making decisions
- innovative
- evaluating
- ethical
- designing
- building relationships
- attention to detail
- analysing
- adaptability
Your skills are important
Our unique skillsets are what make us stand out from the crowd. Learn about each skill in depth and discover what employers look for in your applications and interviews.
Getting in
Explore each section to find more information about getting into this career.
Colleges and universities will list subjects you'll need for entry to a course. Some useful subjects include:
Maths (Mathematics)
Physics
English
Economics
Information and Communications Technology - ICT
Statistics
Foundation Apprenticeship: Business Skills
Business Management
Foundation Apprenticeship: Software Development
Computing Science
You can get a head start in this career by doing a Foundation Apprenticeship in S5 and S6.
You'll get an SCQF level 6 qualification which is the same level as a Higher. You'll also learn new skills and gain valuable experience in a work environment.
Discover what's on offer at your school on Apprenticeships.scot.
You'll likely need a degree in a relevant subject such as Computer Science or Data Science. As it's a senior position, you'll also need significant experience and expertise from working with data in other digital roles.
Employers don't always ask for qualifications as it's more important to show you've got the skills and knowledge needed for the job. But it may be difficult to get into positions where you can build these if you don't get qualifications.
You could go to university to get a degree and then look to get into jobs where you can work towards becoming a data architect. You could also go to college first or get an apprenticeship as a route into the career.
Check out the options available to you to learn more about the routes into this career.
University
Getting a degree in Computer Science or Data Science would allow you to apply for positions where you could start to build the experience you need. Other degrees related to technology or data may be useful for the career.
What you need for entry to a course will depend on the subject and the university. For a Computer Science degree course, you'll likely need either:
Highers at BBBC or better, including Maths and a science
a Higher National Certificate (HNC) or Diploma (HND) in a relevant subject
This is just a guide of what you'll need as a minimum based on current Scottish universities entry requirements. Some universities will have stricter entry standards.
For entry to a postgraduate course, you'll need an honours degree in a relevant subject.
College
You could go to college as a starting point for getting a degree or to help you get into work where you can build experience. Many university courses will allow you to apply for degree courses if you have an HNC and HND in a relevant technology or data subject.
What you need to get into an HNC or HND course will depend on the college and the subject. For example, to study Computer Science, you'll likely need one or two Highers at C/CC or better. You may need National 5 qualifications in subjects such as Maths or a science.
Other SCQF Level 6 qualifications could be useful, such as:
a Foundation Apprenticeship
Skills for Work courses
a National Certificate
Apprenticeship
You can start learning the skills you'll need in this career through a Foundation Apprenticeship (FA). While you're in S5 or S6, you'll gain work experience while you study. Check out these Foundation Apprenticeships on Apprenticeships.scot:
If you’re 16 or older, a Modern Apprenticeship will let you work and earn while you study for a qualification. After you qualify, you'd be able to study further or move into a role where you can build experience.
There are many apprenticeships which could be relevant to this career. Here are some you may find interesting:
You could also earn a degree level qualification through a Graduate Apprenticeship. These apprenticeships may be helpful for this career:
Work
Many entry-level jobs may still need you to have some formal qualifications. However, there are trainee roles related to data, where you could get training on the job. For example, you could apply for a role as a trainee data analyst.
From here you’ll need to build up many years of experience and a diverse skill set before you’ll be able to becoming a data architect. Getting additional training or qualifications while you work will improve your knowledge and skills.
You'll need a strong and diverse skill set. The technical skills and knowledge employers look for will vary, but may include things like:
data analytics, engineering, modelling, management and governance knowledge
coding skills with languages such as SQL, Python and Java
machine learning knowledge
agile development experience
experience leading data projects and working with stakeholders
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