Data Architect

Job Introduction

We’re looking for a Data Architect to help us shape how our data is managed, shared and exploited to make a difference to our planet.

As our Data Architect, the job may be suitable for hybrid working, which is where an employee works part of the week in the office and part of the week from home. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement and the location advertised will be your contractual place of work. 

Our opportunity is full time, 37 hours per week, based in Exeter HQ. Our people are at the heart of what we do and we'll do our best to agree a working pattern that works for everyone. 

World changing work 

From science to technology, from meteorology to management, and from planning to communication, our expertise helps us stand out as the authority on weather accuracy and climate prediction. We help individuals, industries and government to make better decisions to stay safe and thrive. This is the Met Office. This is who we are. 

• We’re a force for good - focusing on our environmental and social impact
• We’re experts by nature - always learning and developing to do things better
• We live and breathe it - putting our purpose at the heart of decision-making
• We’re better together - understanding partnerships and inclusivity make us greater
• We keep evolving - pushing boundaries to make tomorrow better for our customers

Your world of expertise 

We are a data-centric organisation where trusted, discoverable and reusable data is a strategic asset. Working with complex scientific, meteorological and environmental data, you'll help shape how data is managed, shared and exploited across the Met Office and through our Defence portfolio of products and services.

You will work closely with the Senior Data Architect combining data architecture, governance, data engineering and technical enablement. You'll help design data models, metadata frameworks and integration patterns whilst also producing technical standards, reference implementations, automation tooling and reusable components that support delivery teams in adopting best practice. As Defence capabilities continue to evolve, you'll help define, implement and promote common data architectures, standards and engineering patterns that enable people and systems to find, understand and use data consistently.

The role combines strategic thinking with practical delivery. Using your knowledge and people skills, you'll ensure that data standards and governance are defined, understood and successfully embedded into operational systems and delivery teams.

This role involves regular travel within the UK to engage with Defence customers, stakeholders and delivery teams. You will also be expected to undertake international travel, typically three to four trips per year, primarily to Europe and the United States.

Your key duties:

• Support the Senior Data Architect in developing and maintaining Defence data strategy and architecture roadmaps.
• Contribute to the design of data pipelines, data hubs and cloud-native data services.
• Support implementation of API-first architectures, Environmental Data Retrieval (EDR) services and data products.
• Help delivery teams adopt standardised approaches to data validation, quality assurance and metadata capture.
• Support compliance with organisational, Defence, WMO and OGC standards.
• Work with scientists, engineers, architects and Defence stakeholders to understand requirements and translate them into data solutions.

Why join us 

Our work is life-changing, often life-saving and always life-enhancing. The Met Office is Great Place to Work UK certified. We are also featured on their ‘Best Workplaces in Tech’ 2023, 2024 and 2025 lists, as well as their ’54 Best Workplaces for Women’ 2023 list.

As our Data Architect, your total reward package will be up to £67,624 annually, which includes: 

• £44,589 base pay
• An outstanding Civil Service pension, with an average employer contribution of 28.97%
• Recruitment Retention Allowance (RRA) you will be paid £5,300 per annum as a market supplement to reflect the demand for your skills. Whilst in post, you will be paid this market driven allowance from April 2026 until March 2027 in your monthly pay
• Annual Leave starting at 27.5 days (plus Bank Holidays) rising to 32.5 days (plus Bank Holidays) after 5 years and option to buy or sell up to 5 days per year of annual leave

Essential Criteria, skills and experience: 

1. An understanding of API-driven architectures and data integration patterns, with the ability to apply this knowledge across the defence landscape. (Keep evolving)
2. The ability to establish and maintain productive relationships with a wide range of colleagues, partners, customers and stakeholders and negotiate effectively with them to ensure successful outcomes. (Better together)
3. Knowledge of modern cloud-based data platforms and services. (Expert by nature)
4. Experience working with structure, semi-structures and geospatial/environmental data. (Expert by nature)
5. A strong interest in environmental, meteorological and climate data. (Live and breathe it)

How to apply 

If you share our values, we’d love to hear from you! Click apply to begin your application. Please complete your career history and provide evidence against each of the essential criteria in the supporting statement questionnaire. We recommend candidates use the CARL method (Context, Action, Result and Learning) for presenting evidence of experience and skills. 

Closing date 18/11/2026 at 23:59 with first stage interviews commencing from 27/11/2026. You will hear from us once the closing date has passed. 

Using AI in your application

We welcome applications that use AI tools for support in drafting or refining, as long as they accurately reflect your own skills and experience. All hiring decisions at the Met Office are made by people, not AI. For more details, visit our approach to recruitment.

How we can help 

If you have any questions or would like to discuss this opportunity further, please contact us at careers@metoffice.gov.uk.  

If you’re considering applying and need support to do so, please get in touch. You can request adjustments either within your application or by contacting us. Should you be offered an interview, please be aware there may be a selection exercise which could include a presentation, written test or a scenario-based activity. You can select in your application to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme. To be invited to interview/assessment under this scheme, your application must meet the essential criteria for the role. 

We understand that great minds don’t always think alike and as an equal opportunities employer we welcome applications from those with all protected characteristics. We recruit on merit, fairness, and open competition in line with the Civil Service Code. 

We can only accept applications from those eligible to live and work in the UK - please refer to GOV.UK for information. We require Security clearance without caveats and/or restrictions for this role, for which you need to have resided in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years to be eligible, 2 of these years must be immediately preceding the point of your application.

If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and wish to make a complaint, then in the first instance you should contact us at: careers@metoffice.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: info@csc.gov.uk