Data Architect

Job Title: Data Architect

Location: Vienna, VA

Position Type: Full-time


Work Type: Onsite



Salary: Base salary range around 120k to 135k + relocation expenses & client approved benefits.


RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead and mentor a team of data engineers in the design and implementation of VA claims processing data systems
• Architect and hands-on build enterprise-level data solutions, from prototyping through production deployment
• Write and structure production-grade code for ETL/ELT pipelines, data transformations, and integration frameworks using Python, SQL, and modern data engineering tools
• Design and implement data models (conceptual, logical, and physical) while actively building the database schemas and table structures
• Build and optimize data warehouse solutions in PySpark, AWS Glue, AWS Redshift, AWS SageMaker, and Google BigQuery, including performance tuning and cost optimization
• Implement metadata management systems and data governance frameworks aligned with VA policies
• Deploy and configure CI/CD pipelines for data infrastructure using Terraform, CloudFormation, or similar tools for AWS and GCP environments
• Establish and enforce engineering best practices, code review standards, and technical documentation across the team
• Collaborate directly with engineers, analysts, and business leaders to translate requirements into implemented solutions
• Architect and implement secure, compliant data solutions meeting VA standards and federal regulations (HIPAA, CCPA)
• Design and build data quality frameworks, monitoring systems, and automated testing infrastructure
• Support data lifecycle management through hands-on implementation of archival systems and retention policies

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE / QUALIFICATIONS

• 10+ years of progressive data engineering experience with demonstrated hands-on technical leadership
• Recent (within last 2-3 years) hands-on experience building and deploying production data systems and infrastructure
• Strong programming skills with Python, SQL, and experience structuring scalable, maintainable codebases
• Hands-on expertise with cloud-based data warehousing solutions and code frameworks.
• Familiarity with VA data standards, FHIR, and federal compliance requirements (e.g., HIPAA, CCPA)
• Strong understanding of both relational and non-relational database technologies with hands-on implementation experience

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Previous experience with Greenfield work or projects.
• Experience building data systems within federal healthcare or claims environments
• Experience with streaming data platforms (Kafka, Kinesis) and real-time processing
• Knowledge of VA-specific systems or experience with legacy system migrations
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• Employees in this role are responsible for safeguarding sensitive information and must adhere to all organizational security and privacy policies, ensuring the protection, proper handling, and confidentiality of data at all times.

ABOUT Ztek:


Website:


Ztek Consulting Inc is a minority- and woman-owned business enterprise that leverages a unique blend of human talent, machine learning algorithms, and artificial intelligence to provide customized talent management solutions for clients. Ztek's diversity-focused hiring models have proven successful, particularly in hiring veterans. The company's veteran-focused hiring and deployment program, Z-V.E.T, matches skilled veterans with clients' needs in various areas.


Disclaimer:


Ztek is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits any kind of unlawful discrimination and harassment. Ztek is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national origin, citizenship, social or ethnic origin, sex, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, or any other status protected by the statutes, rules, and regulations in the locations where it operates. If you are an individual with a disability and need a reasonable accommodation to assist with your job search or application for employment, please contact us at View email address on click.appcast.io Please indicate the specifics of the assistance needed. Ztek encourages all interested and qualified candidates to apply for employment opportunities. Ztek does not discriminate against applicants based on citizenship status, immigration status, or national origin, in accordance with 8 U.S.C. 1324b.