Lead Solution Architect - Data Platform

Lead Solution Architect - Data Platform - 9 Months - Brussels, Belgium

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About the Role

RELYzIT Talent is seeking a Lead Solution Architect - Data Platform for a high-impact freelance assignment with our client, a key driver of digital transformation in the public sector. This is a 9-month freelance opportunity based in Brussels, Belgium. You will play a pivotal role in shaping the data architecture landscape, enabling secure, interoperable, and future-ready data solutions that empower government innovation and public value.

Why This Role Matters

As the digitalization of government accelerates, data becomes the backbone of smarter services, policy, and collaboration. Our client is building a unified, living reference architecture to ensure data is trustworthy, reusable, and secure across organizational boundaries. Your expertise will anchor data architecture as a guiding force, directly influencing how digital services, AI, and cross-agency collaboration are realized for millions. The stakes: faster, more consistent, and secure digital transformation for the public good.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Designing and developing target architectures and architectural guidelines for data platforms and exchange.


• Translating conceptual information models into logical data models, ensuring semantic clarity and interoperability.


• Guiding modernization initiatives for data exchange, including API and integration architecture (REST, legacy transitions, API governance).


• Defining and implementing data strategy, standards, and governance frameworks in complex enterprise or government contexts.


• Ensuring compliance with GDPR, conducting DPIAs, and embedding security-by-design and risk management into architectural decisions.


• Collaborating with enterprise, domain, and solution architects, product owners, project teams, and external partners to ensure architectural coherence.


• Supporting teams with technical choices, architectural questions, and impact analyses.


• Drafting and maintaining architectural documentation, including ADRs (Architectural Decision Records).


• Driving cloud transformation and hybrid cloud adoption (Azure, AWS, IaC, GitOps), ensuring scalability, manageability, and security.


• Championing data quality, metadata management, and data reuse across organizational boundaries.


• Participating in architecture governance, backlog management, and iterative delivery cycles.

Technical Skills & Experience

• Expert-level experience as a data architect in multiple projects with complex data architecture challenges.


• Proven expertise in API and integration architecture, including design, governance, and migration from legacy/SOAP to REST services.


• Deep knowledge of data standards, data models, and data architecture in enterprise or government settings.


• Strong background in developing and implementing data strategy and architecture.


• Hands-on experience with GDPR compliance, DPIAs, and risk analysis in complex environments.


• Advanced understanding of cloud and infrastructure principles (Azure, AWS, IaC, GitOps, hybrid cloud).


• Proficiency in data governance, metadata management, and data quality frameworks.


• Expertise in REST API standards, API lifecycle management, OAuth2/OpenID Connect, API gateways, microservices, and event-driven messaging.


• Experience with programming and scripting languages relevant to data architecture.


• Ability to translate architectural frameworks (e.g., TOGAF, ArchiMate) into actionable guidelines.


• Knowledge of information security, security-by-design, ISO 27001, Zero Trust, and risk management.


• Experience with cloud and hybrid cloud architecture in complex organizations.


• Familiarity with Jira and Confluence for backlog management and documentation (nice to have).


• Understanding of data interoperability, service catalogs, metadata, OSLO or similar semantic standards (nice to have).


• Experience with Digital Flanders or Flemish government data products (nice to have).


• Knowledge of analytics, BI, or Data Mesh concepts (nice to have).


• Document NDA signed upload required.

Language Proficiency

• Fluency in Dutch at European CEFR level C2 is mandatory.

Other Requirements

• Demonstrated ability to work in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.


• Strong ownership mindset, proactive problem-solving, and a drive for impactful outcomes.


• Experience in Agile/Scrum or iterative delivery environments is beneficial.


• Commitment to documentation, transparency, and collaborative decision-making.

VECTOR7™ Signal Stack Vetting

All candidates will be evaluated through RELYzIT Talent’s VECTOR7™ multi-signal process, ensuring your expertise is recognized and portable across future opportunities. Evaluate once, carry your credential forever.