Application Data Architect - Data Streaming

Role Overview
We are seeking a senior Application Data Architect to lead the design and implementation of complex, event-driven data ecosystems within a retail banking environment. In this role, you will act as a foundational architect, defining how data flows across the enterprise—from legacy on-premise mainframes to modern, high-throughput streaming platforms. The ideal candidate is an expert in data movement and integration, with a deep specialization in Kafka and API-led connectivity. You will be responsible for ensuring that our data architecture is scalable, resilient, and compliant, serving as the bridge between business objectives and technical execution.
Key Responsibilities

• Streaming & Event Architecture: Own the architectural strategy for high-volume data streaming using Kafka, defining patterns for real-time ingestion, event processing, and complex data pipeline orchestration.

• Integration Strategy: Architect comprehensive API-led integration solutions (REST/SOAP/gRPC) that enable secure and efficient data exchange between modern cloud services and on-premise core banking platforms.

• Data Design & Modeling: Establish canonical data models and integration contracts that enforce data consistency across the enterprise.

• Governance & Lineage: Partner with data governance teams to enforce strict data quality, lineage, and PII handling standards, ensuring all streaming and integration patterns remain audit-ready.

• Technical Oversight: Provide architecture guidance and oversight throughout the development lifecycle, focusing on system performance, scalability, and the reduction of technical debt.

• Banking Domain Alignment: Design solutions that align with financial services architectural frameworks—specifically leveraging the BIAN (Banking Industry Architecture Network) reference model where applicable—to standardize service definitions and business capabilities.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Translate complex data architecture requirements into executive-level blueprints, acting as the subject matter expert for data streaming and API strategy.

  Required Qualifications/ Skills  

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field

• 10+ years of progressive experience in enterprise data architecture or senior engineering.

• Deep Expertise in Kafka: Proven experience architecting complex, large-scale data streaming environments in high-concurrency settings.

• API Architecture: Extensive background in designing and managing API-first architectures within hybrid (cloud/on-premise) environments.

• Data Integration: Proficiency in designing data flows across disparate systems, including mainframes, legacy databases, and modern data platforms.

• Banking Domain Expertise: Solid understanding of retail banking workflows, transaction processing, and data sensitivity requirements.

• Architectural Communication: Ability to define and document "big picture" data strategies and mentor engineering teams on best practices.

Preferred Qualifications

• BIAN Framework: Prior experience applying the BIAN architectural reference model to banking technology design is heavily preferred.

• Regulatory Compliance: Experience working in highly regulated environments with stringent disaster recovery and data security mandates.

• Cloud/Hybrid Modernization: Experience migrating legacy batch-processing systems to real-time event-driven architectures.

• Industry Certifications: Relevant architecture certifications (e.g., TOGAF, Confluent Certified Architect for Apache Kafka, or equivalent).

Location: Pittsburgh, PA (relocation assistance is offered)

About Techstra Solutions  
Techstra Solutions is a certified woman-owned (WBENC) management consulting firm specializing in strategy, technology, and implementation services for large organizations undergoing digital and talent transformation. Our experienced team partners with clients to co-create innovative solutions in applications, data, AI, and automation that accelerate measurable, sustainable change. From advisory consulting through technical execution, we are dedicated to driving world-class business solutions that fit your strategic requirements and deliver results. For more information:

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Techstra Solutions is an equal opportunity employer. The Company makes its decisions on merit, and its policy of equal opportunity prohibits discrimination in all phases of the employment process, including, but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, promotion, selection, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, compensation, benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment. The policy of equal opportunity applies without regard to race, color, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identification, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, disability that can reasonably be accommodated without undue hardship, military status, veteran status, genetic predisposition or carrier status, alienage or citizenship, domestic partnership status, arrest or conviction record, status as a victim of domestic violence, or any other protected categories under federal, state, or local law. The Company also prohibits discrimination or harassment based upon the perception that a person has, or is associated with a person who has, any of these characteristics.