Data Architect

T-Rex Solutions is seeking a Data Architect responsible for solutioning, developing, and maintaining enterprise data architecture across distributed projects and functions in partnership with Defense Health Agency (DHA) stakeholders. This role serves as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) on data governance, the DHA Enterprise Data Catalog Inventory Management System, data dictionary deliverables, and metadata lifecycle processes. The Data Architect leads the identification and documentation of data assets across DHA and develops asset identification and onboarding guidelines that ensure consistency, compliance, and interoperability across federated DHA data ecosystems.

Responsibilities:

• Provide technical expertise to DHA and staff on the solutioning and development of the baseline data inventory and lead technical decisions.
• Define, maintain, and communicate data architecture standards including data domains, naming conventions, metadata schemas, and logical data models to distributed teams.
• Oversee documenting and maintaining end-to-end data flows (sources, transformations, lineage, storage, downstream use) using DHA approved collaboration platforms and tools.
• Provide architecture guidance across projects via design sessions, reviews, and documentation.
• Develop, standardize, and maintain collection instruments (metadata templates, instructions, validation rules) aligned to DOW, DHA, and NIST requirements.
• Oversee identification and documentation of authoritative and secondary use data systems, ensuring access logistics, validation cycles, and proper use of DHA approved tools.
• Lead metadata consolidation and standardization efforts across domains, ensuring consistency and traceability.
• Design and implement the interim centralized repository structure—including folder standards, metadata fields, taxonomies—using DHA approved collaboration environments.
• Guide teams in aligning repository metadata with DHA, DOW, and NIST standards to support the transition to the DHA Enterprise Data Catalog (DHA EDC).
• Support federated catalog integration and synchronization with external systems (e.g., Advana) through workshops and test cycles.
• Oversee QA/validation cycles using automated quality metrics, audit logs, anomaly detection, and sampling processes.
• Generate catalog ready metadata and documentation through DHA approved tools.
• Develop and maintain onboarding guidelines for new data assets, including standardized metadata requirements, quality checks, required documentation, and review workflows.
• Support the DHA EDC Analysis of Alternatives by evaluating cataloging solutions against functional, technical, security, and interoperability criteria.
• Participate in scenario-based evaluations, ETL simulations, schema-change detection tests, lineage assessments, and vendor remote demonstrations.
• Provide architecture oversight across the data product lifecycle: ideation, design (data contracts), build, publish, monitoring, change control, deprecation.
• Ensure lifecycle stages maintain metadata quality, lineage traceability, governance controls, and documentation accessible to distributed teams.
• Establish a governance structure for data architecture activities, defining cadence, reporting, escalation, and audit requirements.

Requirements:

• 8+ years of experience in data architecture, data engineering, or enterprise data modeling.  
• Deep expertise in metadata management, metadata modeling, cataloging, and data governance within complex/federal environments.
• Strong experience leading architecture and data governance efforts across distributed teams.
• Experience designing metadata schemas, lineage models, and cross domain interoperability frameworks.
• Familiarity with federal compliance frameworks (NIST SP 80053, FISMA, HIPAA, DHA security policies).
• Strong communication skills—In-person and virtual facilitation, asynchronous writing, and distributed decision-making.
• Experience using Agile tools (e.g., Jira).  
• U.S. Citizenship required; ability to obtain a clearance; active DoD security clearance preferred.  

Desired Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Business Administration, Data Management, or related field.
• Experience with metadata automation, federated cataloging, crosswalk analysis, and data quality frameworks. 
• Cloud certifications (AWS, Azure, GCP) with emphasis on data services.
• Data engineering, data architecture, or data governance certifications.
• Enterprise or solution architecture certifications.
• Agile certifications (Scrum, SAFe, Agile PM). 

T-Rex Overview

Established in 1999, T-Rex Solutions, LLC is a proven mid-tier business providing data-centric mission services to the Federal government as it increasingly tries to secure and leverage the power of data. We design, integrate, secure, and deploy advanced technical solutions for our customers so they can efficiently fulfill their critical objectives. T-Rex offers both IT and professional services to numerous Federal agencies and is a leader in providing high quality and innovative solutions in the areas of Cloud and Infrastructure Services, Cyber Security, and Big Data Engineering.

T-Rex is constantly seeking qualified people to join our growing team. We have built a broad client base through our devotion to delivering quality products and customer service, and to do that we need quality individuals. But more than that, we at T-Rex are committed to creating a culture that supports the development of every employee's personal and professional lives. T-Rex has made a commitment to maintain the status of an industry leader in compensation packages and benefits which includes competitive salaries, performance bonuses, training and educational reimbursement, Transamerica 401(k) and Cigna healthcare benefits.

T-Rex is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, family medical history or genetic information, political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit based factors.

In compliance with pay transparency guidelines, the annual base salary range for this position is $125,000 - $175,000. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. T-Rex considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as market and business considerations when extending an offer.

T-Rex offers a diverse and collaborative work environment, exciting opportunities for professional growth, and generous benefits, including: PTO available to use immediately upon joining (prorated based on start date), paid parental leave, individual and family health, vision, and dental benefits, annual budget for training, professional development and tuition reimbursement, and a 401(k) plan with company match fully vested after 60 days of employment among other benefits.