Databricks Architect

Databricks Architect Design and Lead Enterprise-Scale Databricks Lakehouse Solutions Are you an experienced data architect who enjoys designing modern, scalable data platforms and solving complex data challenges? Do you combine deep Databricks expertise with hands-on engineering skills and the ability to provide technical leadership to clients and delivery teams? CGI is seeking a Databricks Architect to design, build, and govern enterprise-scale data and Lakehouse solutions using Databricks and cloud-native technologies. In this role, you will lead end-to-end solution architecture—from data ingestion, integration, and modeling through performance optimization, governance, security, reliability, and cost management. You will play a key role in designing cloud-based data platforms that integrate information from multiple source systems and enable advanced analytics, AI/ML, and self-service data capabilities at scale. This position combines hands-on technical delivery, architecture leadership, client engagement, and strategic influence. As a Databricks Architect, you will work closely with clients, data engineers, application teams, cloud architects, analytics teams, and business stakeholders to translate complex requirements into scalable and sustainable solutions. You will also mentor engineering teams, establish architectural standards and best practices, and help clients maximize the value of their Databricks investments. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who thrives in a fast-paced technology environment and is passionate about using modern data platforms to solve complex business challenges. Location: The preferred locations are San Francisco Bay Area; Sacramento, CA; Seattle, WA; and Portland, OR and requires a hybrid onsite work arrangement. Remote candidates with the right experience will be considered (must be willing to work PST hours!). Provide technical and architectural leadership for Databricks, modern data platforms, Lakehouse architectures, and cloud-native data solutions. Design and implement scalable enterprise data architectures using Databricks, including Delta Lake, Delta Lake UniForm/Iceberg interoperability, Lakeflow Declarative Pipelines (formerly Delta Live Tables), and Unity Catalog. Lead the end-to-end architecture and development of Data Lakehouse solutions, including ingestion, transformation, data modeling, orchestration, storage, analytics, and consumption layers. Design and optimize scalable data pipelines integrating structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data from multiple enterprise source systems. Establish architecture standards and best practices for data governance, security, access controls, metadata management, data quality, reliability, and observability. Optimize Spark workloads, Databricks compute, storage, and platform configurations to improve performance, scalability, reliability, and cost efficiency. Provide hands-on technical leadership, including coding, solution prototyping, design reviews, troubleshooting, and resolution of critical technical issues. Partner with clients and business stakeholders to understand business challenges and translate requirements into scalable data and analytics solutions. Lead and mentor data engineers and technical team members while promoting engineering excellence, collaboration, continuous learning, and innovation. Support analytics, AI/ML, and emerging Generative AI use cases by establishing scalable and governed enterprise data foundations. Collaborate with cloud, security, infrastructure, application, and analytics teams to ensure solutions align with enterprise architecture and technology standards. Contribute to CGI's growth by supporting solution development, proposals, statements of work (SOWs), technical presentations, and strategies to expand our presence within existing client accounts. 10+ years of experience in data engineering, data architecture, or related disciplines, including 5+ years of hands-on experience designing and delivering end-to-end Databricks solutions in cloud environments. Deep expertise with the Databricks platform and Lakehouse architecture, including Apache Spark, Databricks SQL, Delta Lake, Unity Catalog, notebooks, compute, jobs, workflows, and workspace management. Strong hands-on development experience with Python and/or Scala, Spark, SQL, and distributed data processing. Demonstrated experience designing and implementing enterprise-scale ETL/ELT and data integration pipelines using Databricks and Spark. Hands-on experience integrating Databricks with at least one major cloud platform: Microsoft Azure, AWS, or Google Cloud Platform (GCP). Strong understanding of logical and physical data modeling for enterprise analytics, reporting, and data products. Experience implementing enterprise data governance and security, including Unity Catalog, role-based access control, lineage, metadata management, and applicable compliance requirements. Demonstrated ability to optimize Spark workloads, compute configurations, storage, and data pipelines for performance and cost efficiency. Experience designing highly available, reliable, scalable, and maintainable enterprise data platforms. Ability and willingness to remain hands-on with architecture, development, coding, troubleshooting, and technical problem-solving. Proven track record of successfully delivering multiple complex, enterprise-scale Databricks implementations from architecture and design through implementation, optimization, and production support. Strong communication and consulting skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to provide technical leadership and mentor engineering teams. Apache Spark, Data Engineering Together, as owners, let's turn meaningful insights into action. Life at CGI is rooted in ownership, teamwork, respect and belonging. Here, you'll reach your full potential because… You are invited to be an owner from day 1 as we work together to bring our Dream to life. That's why we call ourselves CGI Partners rather than employees. We benefit from our collective success and actively shape our company's strategy and direction. Your work creates value. You'll develop innovative solutions and build relationships with teammates and clients while accessing global capabilities to scale your ideas, embrace new opportunities, and benefit from expansive industry and technology expertise. You'll shape your career by joining a company built to grow and last. You'll be supported by leaders who care about your health and well-being and provide you with opportunities to deepen your skills and broaden your horizons. Come join our team—one of the largest IT and business consulting services firms in the world. CGI