Data Architect

Principal Data Architect

Location: Dallas, TX (Hybrid - 4 Days Onsite Weekly)

Compensation: $170,000 Base Salary (flexibility for exceptional candidates) + Comprehensive Benefits

Work Authorization: Candidates must be authorized to work in the U.S. now and in the future. No sponsorship or visa transfers available.


About the Opportunity

Our client, a large enterprise organization undergoing a major data modernization and AI transformation, is seeking a Principal Data Architect to help shape the future of its enterprise data ecosystem.

This is a high-impact, highly visible role offering direct exposure to executive leadership and the opportunity to influence enterprise-wide technology strategy. The successful candidate will be responsible for defining architectural roadmaps, modernizing legacy platforms, enabling AI capabilities, and guiding the organization's journey from current-state to future-state architecture.

This opportunity is ideal for someone who combines strong architectural leadership with a hands-on data engineering background and thrives in a transformation-focused environment.


Key Responsibilities

• Assess and document current-state data architecture, platforms, and integrations
• Design future-state enterprise data architecture and transformation roadmaps
• Develop architectural standards and reusable patterns for:
  • Real-time data processing
  • Streaming architectures
  • Batch data processing
  • Enterprise and consumer data platforms
• Create and maintain architecture diagrams, data flows, and implementation plans
• Partner with business and technology leaders to align architecture decisions with strategic objectives
• Support enterprise initiatives across fraud, risk, analytics, AI, and other critical business functions
• Define phased implementation strategies, including resource planning and execution sequencing
• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend solutions based on business use cases
• Provide technical leadership and architectural guidance to engineering teams
• Participate in architecture reviews, proof of concepts, and technical solution validation

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in Data Engineering, Software Engineering, Data Architecture, or related disciplines
• Experience designing and implementing enterprise-scale data platforms and architectures
• Strong background creating technology roadmaps and leading transformation initiatives
• Ability to connect technical decisions to measurable business outcomes
• Experience operating within large, complex organizations (1,000+ employees preferred)
• Proven ability to work independently and drive initiatives with minimal oversight

Technical Requirements

Required Experience

• AWS Cloud
• Kafka (Confluent or Open-Source Kafka)
• Event-driven and streaming architectures
• Real-time data processing
• Batch processing frameworks
• Enterprise integration patterns
• Data architecture and platform modernization

Preferred Experience

• Snowflake
• Fivetran
• dbt
• AI/GenAI architecture and implementation

AI & Innovation Focus

As part of the organization's technology strategy, AI will play a significant role in future-state architecture.

The ideal candidate will have exposure to:

• Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)
• Large Language Model (LLM) concepts
• AI platform architecture
• Token management and optimization strategies
• AI tooling evaluation and implementation
• Use-case driven AI adoption

We're looking for someone who is naturally curious, stays current on emerging technologies, and can articulate how modern AI capabilities create business value.


Preferred Industry Experience

Experience within one or more of the following industries is highly desirable:

• Financial Services
• Banking
• Healthcare
• Travel
• Hospitality

Why This Role?

• Direct visibility with senior and executive leadership
• Opportunity to influence enterprise technology strategy
• Lead large-scale modernization and transformation initiatives
• Help shape the organization's AI roadmap
• Work with modern cloud, streaming, and data technologies
• Drive meaningful business outcomes and measurable change

This is an opportunity to build something transformational-not simply maintain existing systems.


Interview Process

1. Initial Interview (45 minutes)
2. Onsite Team Panel Interview
3. Final Executive Interview

If you're interested in learning more about this confidential opportunity, please apply directly or contact me for a private discussion.