Senior Data Architect

Requirements:10+ years of experience in data architecture, data engineering, or enterprise architecture roles5+ years of experience leading technical teams, managing engineers, and driving architectural decisions in enterprise environments5+ years of hands-on experience with modern cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, or GCP)3+ years of experience with Microsoft Azure and Microsoft Fabric or related Microsoft data solutions, including OneLake, Lakehouses, Warehouses, Data Factory, Power BI, Real-Time Intelligence, and Azure SynapseProven track record designing and implementing enterprise-scale data architectures supporting complex, mission-critical operationsDemonstrated ability to translate business requirements into scalable, secure technical solutionsUnderstanding of CI/CD practices, Azure DevOps repos (repos (git) and pipelines) and pipelines, MMicrosoft Entra service principals, and IaC icrosoft Entra service principals, and IaC infrastructure automation (Terraform, ARM templates)Experience with data quality frameworks, testing standards, and metadata managementExperience implementing self-service data platforms and data literacy programsExperience implementing data mesh architectures in large, complex organizationsProficiency in designing scalable ETL/ELT architectures and data pipeline orchestration strategiesExperience developing data pipelines in PySpark and SQLExperience with Azure Function Apps and Kubernetes and cloud Kubernetes services (AKS, EKS, GKE)Experience with report development (Power BI or Tableau or similar products)Expert-level knowledge of big data systems (Hadoop and Spark), Delta Lake, Parquet, modern data formatsTechnical Excellence: Deep understanding of data lakehouse architecture, medallion patterns, and data mesh organizational frameworksExpertise in data security, encryption, identity and access management (IAM), and privacy controls (GDPR, HIPAA, row/column-level security)Knowledge of monitoring, observability, and alerting techniques for data platformsFamiliarity with big data and SQL database design, optimization, and relational/non-relational data modelsUnderstanding of Microsoft Purview for data governance, cataloging, and lineage managementKnowledge of real-time analytics, streaming architectures, and event-driven data processingFamiliarity with machine learning operations (MLOps) and AI workload integrationFamiliarity with Data Vault and other data modelling techniquesResponsibilities:Strategic Data Architecture & Platform VisionDefine and articulate the long-term data architecture vision aligned with business strategy and humanitarian objectivesDesign comprehensive enterprise data architecture leveraging a medallion architecture (bronze/silver/gold zones) for optimal data organization and governanceEstablish architectural standards, principles, and patterns for data ingestion, processing, storage, access controls, and quality managementDesign overall data architecture, architect data mesh patterns where appropriate, organizing data around business domains while maintaining centralized governance and platform standardsEvaluate and recommend technology investments, infrastructure choices, and platform capabilities to support current and future organizational needsDevelop a strategic data platform roadmap spanning 1-3 years with phased implementation, measurable milestones, and clear business value articulationDesign scalable multi-region, multi-tenant platform architecture supporting diverse data domains, high-volume data processing, and real-time analyticsConduct regular architecture reviews and optimization, identifying opportunities for performance enhancement, cost reduction, and modernization.Team Leadership & DevelopmentLead, mentor, and develop the Data Platform DevOps Engineer and full-stack data engineering and report development team, fostering technical excellence and professional growthEstablish clear role definitions, responsibilities, and expectations for team members, supporting career development pathwaysProvide technical leadership through data model and code reviews, architecture assessments, and knowledge sharing sessions on design patterns and best practicesCreate structured mentoring programs addressing both technical skill development and leadership competencies for high-potential team membersConduct technical interviews and participate in hiring to build a cohesive, skilled team aligned with architectural visionFoster a collaborative culture emphasizing continuous learning, innovation, quality, and adherence to architectural standardsBalance hands-on technical work with leadership responsibilities, maintaining credibility while delegating appropriatelySupport the team with clear boundaries, autonomy, and creative problem-solving within governance frameworksPlatform Architecture & Design LeadershipInternal Lead end-to-end system design for complex data solutions across Microsoft Fabric and Microsoft Azure platform componentsMake critical technology selection decisions regarding Fabric items (Lake houses, Warehouses, Data Factory, Power BI, Real-Time Intelligence), infrastructure, and toolsDesign role-based access control (RBAC), data security models, and governance frameworksArchitect data quality frameworks, testing standards, and metadata management approaches ensuring consistency and reliabilityGuide implementation of complex data integration patterns between enterprise systems and external data sourcesOversee system integration and ensure seamless communication between platform components, maintaining architectural coherenceEstablish patterns for scalability, performance optimization, disaster recovery, and business continuityData Architecture Strategy & Roadmap DevelopmentContribute to overall organizational data strategy aligned with business objectives and humanitarian missionDefine organizational capability building needs including platform enablement, team skill development, and process improvementsRegularly reassess strategy based on evolving business needs, technological advancements, and lessons learnedInternal monitor emerging technologies and industry trends in data platforms, architecture patterns, and analyticsGovernance & StandardsSupport development and implementation of organizational data governance framework including policies, standards, and compliance requirementsWork with data governance and compliance teams to establish architectural guardrails and ensure regulatory adherenceCreate comprehensive documentation standards for architecture decisions, technical designs, security controls, and operational proceduresDefine and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for data platform quality, reliability, performance, and costEstablish change management and governance processes for architecture reviews, platform evolution, and technology decisions.Platform Engineering & DevOps LeadershipOversee design and implementation of CI/CD pipelines, infrastructure automation, and deployment strategies for Microsoft FabricEnsure platform engineering best practices including observability, monitoring, alerting, and incident response frameworks are implementedGuide the DevOps engineer in establishing platform maintenance procedures, capacity planning, and operational excellenceReview and optimize platform infrastructure design, cost efficiency, and resource utilization strategiesEnsure disaster recovery and business continuity strategies are designed, tested, and maintained