Principal Data Architect

Overview

This position establishes and implements the overall data management technological direction of the Bank. Provides strategic enterprise data technical vision while directing immediate data architecture initiatives. Ensures the overall quality of technology data implementations across multiple domains. Leads the design and integration of key data storage and systems that require a fundamental change to corporate data strategy and direction.
Responsibilities & Qualifications

Duties & Responsibilities:
Business Strategy - Drives data management architectural vision and strategy to support business needs. Designs and integrates key systems that change overall corporate data strategy and direction. Facilitates the development and evolution of architecture and enterprise governance processes.
Consultation - Provides technical direction for the Bank's annual investment in all data technology areas, including data infrastructure, architecture, management, integration, quality, reporting, and analytics. Offers guidance to application development teams within the department.
Collaboration - Communicates a clear vision for management and senior technical staff to ensure maximum leverage of both purchased and developed technology. Collaborates effectively to solve complex technical problems and create data strategies. Serves as a member of the Enterprise Architecture Review Board.
Technical Expertise - Maintains strong current knowledge of key advances, data technology, industry trends, and systems development techniques. Utilizes expertise to partner on the design of enterprise data solutions, planning technology migrations, vendor or product selection, and solution integration. Engage key data technology vendors to learn industry best practices and future trends.
Position Specific Skills:
Experience in technology infrastructure management
Knowledge of database platforms, architectures, and application designs that cross those platforms
Qualifications:
Minimum Required Education and Experience: Bachelor's Degree and 10 years' experience OR High School Diploma or GED/Equivalent and 14 years' experience in Application Development, Systems Engineering, or Information Technology management
Preferred Education:
Preferred Area of Study:
Preferred Area of Experience:
Required Licenses or Certifications:
Preferred Licenses or Certifications:
Additional Information

Bachelor's Degree and 10 years of experience in Application Development, Systems Engineering, or Information Technology management OR High School Diploma or GED and 14 years of experience in Application Development, Systems Engineering, or Information Technology management

Preferred Qualifications:
* 10+ years of experience in enterprise architecture, data platforms, or distributed systems.
* Deep expertise in AI/ML architecture, including GenAI and LLM-based systems.
* Strong experience designing MLOps platforms and enterprise AI foundations.
* Proven experience architecting solutions on AWS.
* Experience with Snowflake Cortex AI, Snowflake Native AI capabilities
* Strong understanding of cloud security, networking, and governance.
* Proficiency in Python, SQL, and modern data frameworks (e.g., Databricks, Airflow, Snowflake, Vertex AI).

* Relevant AWS certifications in cloud architecture, AI/ML, generative AI, or related domains.
* Experience with agentic AI design patterns, including tool-use orchestration, autonomous workflow agents, or AI copilots.
* Proficiency in API design, microservices, and containerization (Docker, Kubernetes).
* Demonstrated ability to rapidly prototype new AI concepts and transition successful PoCs into production-grade systems.

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If hired in NC, the base pay for this position is generally between $160,000 and $240,000. Actual starting base pay will be determined based on skills, experience, location, and other non-discriminatory factors permitted by law. For some roles, total compensation may also include variable incentives, bonuses, benefits, and/or other awards as outlined in the offer of employment.

Benefits are an integral part of total rewards and First Citizens Bank is committed to providing a competitive, thoughtfully designed and quality benefits program to meet the needs of our associates. More information can be found at