Lead Data Architect

Job Description:

Shape the Future of Flight: Lead Data Architect – Flight Physics

At Airbus, we believe pioneering sustainable aviation takes a diverse range of perspectives, creative problem-solving, and close collaboration. We are looking for a Lead Data Architect to technically guide our collaborative data team, transform our data landscape, and build a seamless digital thread across our global engineering community.

Based at our UK engineering hub, you will serve as the technical lead within our Flight Physics domain—connecting complex engineering needs with modern data architecture to power current aircraft programs and unlock next-generation aerospace innovations.

How You’ll Make an Impact

In this role, you will be the architect behind our digital continuity and provide technical leadership to a cross-functional team of data engineers, data custodians, and domain specialists:

• Drive Next-Gen Architecture: Architect and technically steer the implementation of our future flight physics data architecture within our Simulation Process and Data Management Platform, ensuring it supports evolving business goals.
• Lead the Digital Thread & Data Strategy: Shape our long-term data strategy while partnering with and guiding our data engineering team to define robust data products, enabling smooth, secure, and compliant data flow across global engineering centers.
• Technical Leadership & Mentorship: Serve as the primary technical authority for data frameworks in Flight Physics—mentoring data team members, fostering a supportive, inclusive engineering culture, and bridging business needs with modern technology.

What We’re Looking For

Don't meet 100% of the criteria? If you are excited about leading this initiative and meet many of the points below, we encourage you to apply!

• Data Architecture Expertise: Proven background in Data Management, Data Mesh Architecture, or Product Lifecycle / Configuration Management (PLM/SPDM).
• Technical Guidance & Mentorship: Experience leading technical strategy or guiding data engineers in designing robust, scalable solutions.
• Modern Platform Familiarity: Comfort working with modern data frameworks or architectural modeling tools (experience with platforms like Palantir Foundry, 3DExperience, or ARAS is a welcome plus, but not required).
• Data Stewardship: Understanding of data governance, lineage, and classification principles.
• Collaborative Leadership: Strong communication, active listening, and stakeholder management skills, with a track record of building consensus and empowering team members.
• Curiosity for Aerospace: A background or interest in aerospace, flight physics, or complex technical environments.

Why Airbus?

• Meaningful Work & Autonomy: Lead high-impact, creative problem-solving initiatives that directly influence core engineering processes and sustainable flight.
• Continuous Growth: Clear pathways for technical leadership progression, expert missions, and continuous learning opportunities across Airbus.
• Inclusive & Supportive Culture: Join a forward-thinking, flexible team that values diverse perspectives, work-life balance, and mutual support.

Ready to lead our data team into the future of aviation? We’d love to hear from you. Apply today to help us propel Airbus into the future of digital engineering.

This job requires an awareness of any potential compliance risks and a commitment to act with integrity, as the foundation for the Company’s success, reputation and sustainable growth.

Company:

Airbus Operations Limited

Employment Type:

Permanent

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Experience Level:

Professional

Job Family:

Flight & Space Physics <JF-EN-EE>

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Airbus is committed to achieving workforce diversity and creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome all applications irrespective of social and cultural background, age, gender, disability, sexual orientation or religious belief.

Airbus is, and always has been, committed to equal opportunities for all. As such, we will never ask for any type of monetary exchange in the frame of a recruitment process. Any impersonation of Airbus to do so should be reported to emsom@airbus.com.

At Airbus, we support you to work, connect and collaborate more easily and flexibly. Wherever possible, we foster flexible working arrangements to stimulate innovative thinking.