Lead Data Architect

Job Summary

The Lead Data Architect will play an integral role coordinating architecting solutions, specifically for data cataloging, data quality, data governance and Master Data Management (MDM), initiatives across the MBTA. The Lead Data Architect will assist in designing, implementing, and coordinating enterprise data governance and management capabilities within the Informatica Intelligent Data Management Cloud (IDMC). This role ensures that enterprise data is discoverable, trusted, well-governed, and aligned with MBTA's data strategy. The Lead Data Architect will be responsible for assisting in the development, implementation, and management of the data governance program within the MBTA. This role will involve establishing data governance policies, procedures, and frameworks to ensure data quality, integrity, and security.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Design, integrate, and govern end-to-end data and technology solutions that align business needs with enterprise architecture standards.
• Translate business requirements into technical designs, ensuring data platforms, analytics tools, and integrations work together to support decision-making, operations, and innovation.
• Manage the contextual and supporting data infrastructure that is necessary to bring accurately mission critical data to life.
• Catalog data assets to build a scalable approach and supporting practices to ingest quality data and make it accessible to data consumers across the MBTA.
• Work with the business unit's data stewards, business architects, and analytical reporting units in orchestrating a plan to bring their data under management within the existing data governance infrastructure.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to architect solutions and enforce data governance practices and drive the adoption of consistent data definitions, data catalogs, and data lineage with the ultimate goal of ensuring accurate and timely data-driven decision-making.
• Monitor and report on data compliance, identify areas for improvement, and provide guidance on data-related issues.
• Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.

• No direct reports.

Minimum Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution in Computer Science, Information Management, Business Analytics or related field.
• Six (6) years of experience with Informatica Data Catalog, Data Quality, Data Governance, Metadata Management, Master Data Management (MDM), and Data Marketplace.
• Two (2) years of experience in data engineering, data management, or a related field.
• Strong understanding of data warehouse concepts, metadata management, data quality, governance, and master data concepts.
• Experience working with data engineers, data stewards, data owners, and cross-functional teams to operationalize governance frameworks.
• Familiarity with relational databases, cloud data platforms (AWS, Azure, or Snowflake), and API integration.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills, with the ability to translate technical capabilities into business value.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills to identify and resolve data governance issues.
• Knowledge of data management technologies and tools.

• A high school diploma or GED with an additional seven (7) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor's degree requirement.
• An associate's degree from an accredited institution and an additional three (3) years of directly related experience substitutes for the bachelor's degree requirement.
• A master's degree in a related subject substitutes for two (2) years of general experience.
• A nationally recognized certification, or statewide/professional certification in a related field substitutes for one (1) year of experience.

Preferred Experience & Skills

• Master's degree from an accredited institution in Computer Science, Information Management, Business Analytics, or related field.
• More than (6) years of experience with Informatica Data Catalog, Data Quality, Data Governance, Metadata Management, Master Data Management (MDM), and Data Marketplace.
• Five (5) years of experience in data engineering, data management, or a related field.
• Informatica certifications (IDMC Data Governance, Data Quality, MDM, or Catalog).
• Experience in public sector, transportation, healthcare, or regulated industries.
• Familiarity with Tableau, Power BI, or other Business Intelligence platforms.
• Relevant certifications (e.g., Certified Data Management Professional, Certified Data Governance Professional).

Job Conditions

• Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English.
• Be at least eighteen (18) years of age, except if participating in an approved high school internship / co-op program.
• Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
• Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
• Ability to work effectively, independently, and as part of a diverse workforce team (or supervise, if required).
• Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers.
• Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
• Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if current student or recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection).
• Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and / or medical Clinic screening, potentially including physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings.
• Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.
• Intern / co-op staff must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship / co-op. Additionally, interns / co-ops must have valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting pre-employment screenings / pre-boarding, working in their positions, and throughout the duration of their program.

Disclaimers and Definitions:

1. General Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe a summary, general nature, and complexity of typical job functions and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position.
2. Application Completion: It is each applicant's responsibility to ensure application details are entered completely and correctly, including updated work and education histories (past and current). Incomplete applications may not be considered. Attachments do not substitute for application fields. The recruitment team does not have access to existing employee data / history.
3. Application Deadlines: Applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the MBTA may stop considering applicants after a sufficiently large applicant pool is established.
4. Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here-in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. See job description for role-specific requirements.
5. Work Eligibility: All employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States and on an unrestricted basis. The MBTA does not have an employer work sponsorship program. However, if you have unrestricted work authorization, or are sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply. Further, all persons hired will require a U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting the position and employees will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.
6. Interviews: Candidates should ensure they arrive on time, are prepared, can remain for the duration, and if remote, are in a quiet place without distraction, for the interview. Candidates who