Data Architect

Title: Data Architect

Location: 4 days in office in Topeka, 1 day remote

Type: Perm

Role:

The Data Architect is responsible for establishing and evolving the organization's data architecture using Databricks as the core data platform. In an early-stage data environment, this role focuses on creating strong data foundations, enabling analytics and reporting, and guiding teams toward scalable, cost-effective data practices. The Data Architect works closely with business and technical stakeholders to translate priority use cases into practical data solutions while avoiding over-engineering.

Responsibilities:

• Define, maintain, and evolve the core data architecture, including conceptual, logical, and physical data models, data flows, integration patterns, and platform standards.
• Design simple, scalable data flows:
• Source systems ingestion, Databricks, consumption
• Establish foundational data models (bronze / silver / gold or equivalent)
• Define standards for data ingestion, transformation, naming conventions, modeling conventions, access and security, and architectural patterns.
• Translate business and analytics needs into practical data designs and patterns.
• Work closely with technology teams on data solutions, focusing on data modeling, integration, MDM, metadata, data warehousing, data lakes, BI, and related domains.
• Support early analytics, BI, and data science use cases.
• Guide engineers and analysts on best practices in Databricks.
• Maintain data architecture roadmaps and priorities.
• Balance short-term delivery with long-term scalability, articulating tradeoffs, costs, and benefits of different options.
• Identify technical debt early and propose incremental improvements.
• Act as a hands-on advisor to resolve complex data issues, not just a governance role.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and industry trends to guide future investments and modernization efforts.

Expectations:

• Perform responsibilities independently with minimal oversight.
• Demonstrate clients core competencies that define how we work, collaborate, and lead. These competencies guide day to day behaviors and decision making, ensuring we instill trust, communicate effectively, value differences and deliver strong results.
• Consistently takes action in alignment with client values.
• Provides regulatory reporting support, as needed, and partners with other departments to implement effective policies and procedures that support the requirements of applicable statutes and regulation.

Knowledge and Skills:

Experience:

- Minimum of 8-10 years of experience in data architecture including data modeling, data integration, business intelligence (BI), data marts, data lakes and data warehousing, data architecture and data model design.

Education:

- Bachelor's degree in computer science or related technology degree.

- Professional certificate or a graduate degree highly regarded.

Interpersonal Skills:

- Courtesy, tact, and diplomacy are essential elements of the job. Work involves a high degree of personal contact with others inside and/or outside the organization for purposes of exchanging information, building relationships, or soliciting cooperation.

Other Preferred Skills:

• Experience with Databricks, Azure Data Factory, and Power BI.
• Strong understanding of modern cloud data architecture, medallion architecture (bronze, silver, gold), and ELT patterns.
• Must be able to work and travel independently, manage multiple and competing demands.