OA-Data Platform Architect

Client: State of PA (COPA)



Employment Type: Contract



Work Location: Hybrid - One day weekly (Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday) in-office at 607 South Drive, Forum Building 5th floor, Harrisburg, PA.



Interview Process: Screening with hiring manager -> Virtual interview with panel -> Final in-person interview at Harrisburg.

The State of PA (COPA) is establishing a new CDAI Office to build enterprise data capabilities that will enable every agency to deliver improved digital services, data analytics, and AI solutions.

Under the direction of the Chief Data and AI Officer, this technical leadership role will balance technology strategy with practical execution. The Data Platform Architect will design, engineer, and deliver reusable cloud-based data products and shared services that enable agencies to securely develop digital services. This position establishes engineering practices, implementation standards, automation, and shared platform services that support enterprise modernization while enabling agencies to consume standardized capabilities rather than developing isolated, agency-specific solutions.

• Enterprise Platform Architecture: Define the target architecture for an enterprise data platform. Build a multi-year roadmap aligned to enterprise modernization initiatives, and evaluate emerging tech while maintaining architectural consistency.
• Platform Engineering: Build an MVP and mature the cloud data platform over time. Set engineering standards and operational guardrails. Design secure multi-tenant environments capable of serving multiple agencies with data co-mingling considerations.
• Security & Compliance: Partner with CISO teams to implement Identity and Access Management (IAM), encryption, and audit capabilities.
• Enterprise Enablement: Design and build platform services (rather than agency-specific implementations). Develop onboarding patterns for agencies adopting enterprise products/services. Develop data products identified by the Product team and build AI-ready infrastructure.
• Leadership & Collaboration: Develop engineering best practices. Partner with cloud, integration, and data teams to implement enterprise data products. Promote API-first and product-based approaches to information sharing, leading through influence across enterprise tech teams.

Required Experience:

• 10+ Years: Experience building large-scale cloud data platforms.
• 7+ Years: Hands-on experience in modern data architecture, platform engineering, and cloud infrastructure.
• 5+ Years: Experience designing and implementing enterprise security controls for cloud data platforms, including IAM, RBAC, etc.
• Required: Proven experience building and operating Cloud Infrastructure as Code (Terraform or equivalent).
• Required: Data Platform & Services experience, including platforms such as Snowflake, Databricks, AWS, Azure, and containerized applications.
• Required: Hands-on experience implementing modern DevSecOps practices and championing a shift-left approach to security.
• Required: Experience partnering with Cloud Engineering, CISO, and GRC teams to integrate security controls into data platforms while maintaining clear ownership boundaries.

Education & Soft Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Systems Programming, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
• Ability to effectively communicate technology concepts to a non-technical audience.
• Capable of building from the ground up and thinking in terms of patterns and reusable capabilities.
• Proven track record working at the enterprise level for data platforms supporting multiple teams across the company.
• Ability to lead through influence rather than relying on direct reports.