Data Architect

Job Title- Lead Data Architect

Position type- Full Time

Work Location-Bangalore

Working style- Hybrid

People Manager role: No

Required education and certifications critical for the role- Any Graduate or Post-Graduate (full time)

Required years of experience - Minimum 12+ years of relevant experience

Aon is in the business of better decisions

At Aon, we shape decisions for the better to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world.

As an organization, we are united through trust as one inclusive team and we are passionate about helping our colleagues and clients succeed.

What the day will look like

1. Architectural Vision & Convergent Platform Strategy

• Define and own the target architecture for Core Engineering - spanning application, AI, and data layers
• Drive the convergent platform strategy: maximise reuse of capability between products
• Maintain and evolve reference architectures, solution blueprints, and enterprise patterns
• Ensure architectural decisions support multi-cloud, hybrid environments, and poly-cloud AI deployment
• Own the Enterprise Pattern Catalog - lifecycle management from Proposal through Graduated to Retired
• Define the three-layer architecture model: Core Engineering Platform (Build) → Interfaces (Serve) → Products (Application)

1. Architecture Governance & Review

• Run and chair Architecture Review Boards (ARBs) - no significant build without TA sign-off
• Review all major designs for alignment with reference architectures, NFRs, and security standards
• Establish and enforce design guardrails: cloud adoption, security, financial compliance, and autonomy
• Reduce late-stage rework by ensuring architectural quality from project inception
• Ensure full NFR coverage (performance, security, scalability, accessibility) for all products
• Own the architecture decision log - traceable, documented rationale for all significant technical choices

1. Technology Radar, Innovation & Explore

• Own and maintain the Core Engineering Technology Radar - quarterly updates on tools, platforms, and techniques
• Evaluate emerging technologies: AI/ML frameworks, GenAI platforms, cloud services, data technologies
• Define clear PoC-to-production transition criteria - what must a PoC demonstrate before it graduates
• Partner with AI Engineering and Data Science on GenAI architecture: RAG, LLM orchestration, vector DBs, agentic workflows
• Core member of the Tech Strategy group - responsible for the technical dimension of the Explore agenda
• Assess and recommend build vs buy vs partner decisions for new technology capabilities

1. Cross-Product Design Leadership

• Work closely with all Engineering Leads to guide product-level design decisions within architectural guardrails
• Champion a collaborative environment across SDE, SRE, Data Scientists, AI Engineers, and UX
• Guide Product Owners in prioritising backlog items with technical feasibility and architectural impact
• Identify and resolve cross-product architectural conflicts, dependencies, and integration challenges
• Drive API design standards, data contracts, and integration patterns across the portfolio
• Ensure products are designed for observability, cost-efficiency, and operational resilience from day one

1. Architectural Community & Knowledge Sharing

• Chapter Lead for Architecture - drive knowledge sharing, design reviews, and best practices across all product teams
• Mentor and develop Solution Architects across Core Engineering sites
• Run architecture forums, design clinics, and lunch-and-learn sessions
• Maintain and publish shared architecture assets: playbooks, design templates, reference implementations
• Drive architectural consistency across Dublin, Bengaluru, Krakow, and Singapore

1. Strategic Contribution & Stakeholder Engagement

• Candidate Core member of the Tech Strategy group - shaping the Explore agenda and technology investment decisions
• Represent Core Engineering's architectural perspective in cross-functional planning and governance forums
• Engage with external partners (Microsoft, AWS, Google, Databricks) on platform architecture alignment
• Provide architectural input to business cases, RFPs, and partner evaluations
• Communicate architectural vision and rationale clearly to senior leadership and non-technical stakeholders

How this opportunity is different

The Lead Data Architect is the guardian of architectural excellence within Core Engineering. This person will ensure the product is designed and built to enterprise-grade standards for performance, security, scalability, and maintainability.

The Lead Data Architect does not own product delivery (that's the EL) or functional capability development (that's the Head of Function). Instead, they own the how it's designed dimension - ensuring architectural decisions are sound, patterns are reused, platforms converge, and technical debt is managed strategically.

This person also plays a critical role in the Explore dimension of ambidexterity: evaluating emerging technologies, maintaining the technology radar, and defining the criteria for transitioning PoCs into production.

Skills and experience that will lead to success

Essential

• 12+ years in software/data/AI engineering, with 5+ years in architecture or principal engineer roles
• Deep expertise across multiple technology domains: cloud platforms (Azure, AWS), data (Databricks, Lakehouse), AI/ML, and application architectures
• Proven track record of designing and delivering enterprise-scale, production-grade systems
• Experience defining and enforcing architecture governance in large, distributed engineering organisations
• Strong understanding of modern patterns: microservices, event-driven, serverless, RAG, LLM orchestration, agentic architectures
• Ability to balance strategic architectural vision with pragmatic delivery reality
• Exceptional communication skills - can translate complex architecture into clear guidance for engineers, POs, and executives
• Experience working across multiple geographies and leading distributed architectural communities

Desirable

• Experience as Chief Architect, Principal Engineer, or Technical Authority in a similar operating model
• Background in financial services, insurance, or similarly regulated industries
• Familiarity with Aon's technology landscape and the convergent platform strategy
• Published thought leadership: conference talks, white papers, patents, or open-source contributions
• Relevant certifications: AWS/Azure Solutions Architect Professional, TOGAF, or equivalent
• Postgraduate degree in computer science, engineering, or related field

How we support our colleagues

In addition to our comprehensive benefits package, we encourage an inclusive workforce. Plus, our agile environment allows you to manage your wellbeing and work/life balance, ensuring you can be your best self at Aon. Furthermore, all colleagues enjoy two Global Wellbeing Days each year, encouraging you to take time to focus on yourself. We offer a variety of working style solutions for our colleagues as well.

Our continuous learning culture inspires and equips you to learn, share and grow, helping you achieve your fullest potential. As a result, at Aon, you are more connected, more relevant, and more valued.

Aon values an innovative and inclusive workplace where all colleagues feel empowered to be their authentic selves. Aon is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.

Aon provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran, marital, domestic partner status, or other legally protected status.

We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities and fostering an inclusive workplace. If you require accommodations during the application or interview process, please let us know. You can request accommodations by emailing us at or your recruiter. We will work with you to meet your needs and ensure a fair and equitable experience.

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