Data Architect

West Monroe Partners, LLC•Chicago, IL

27d

About The Position

As a Data Architect at West Monroe, you will lead the design, implementation, and optimization of data solutions that empower our clients to make data-driven decisions. You will play a critical role in shaping data strategies, mentoring teams, and ensuring the delivery of scalable and efficient data systems. This role requires deep technical expertise, strategic thinking, and strong leadership skills to drive innovation and business impact.

Requirements

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Data Engineering, Information Systems, or a related field.
Minimum of 10 years of experience in data engineering or architecture, with at least 3 years in a leadership role.
Proven track record of architecting and delivering large-scale data solutions in cloud environments (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP).
Expertise in data modeling, ETL processes, and data pipeline development.
Extensive experience with modern data platforms: Databricks and/or Snowflake preferred
Experience with data modeling and engineering in Databricks, including Delta Lake and advanced Spark-based transformations.
Expertise in data modeling with Snowflake, including schema design, performance optimization, and leveraging Snowflake's unique capabilities (e.g., time travel, zero-copy cloning).
Proficiency in programming languages such as Python, SQL, Java, or Scala.
Experience with big data technologies (e.g., Hadoop, Spark, Kafka).
Hands-on experience with cloud-native data services (e.g., AWS Redshift, Azure Synapse, Google BigQuery).
Strong understanding of database technologies (e.g., relational, NoSQL, graph databases).
Familiarity with containerization and orchestration tools (e.g., Docker, Kubernetes).
Exceptional ability to lead and mentor technical teams.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills to collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities and deliver results under pressure.
Advanced analytical skills to solve complex technical and business problems.
Ability to translate technical concepts into business value for non-technical stakeholders.
Strong organizational and project management skills.

Nice To Haves

Preferred certifications such as AWS Certified Data Analytics, Azure Data Engineer Associate, or Google Professional Data Engineer.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership: Collaborate with senior leadership and stakeholders to define data strategies and roadmaps aligned with business objectives.
Solution Design: Architect robust, scalable, and secure data solutions, including data pipelines, warehouses, lakes, and analytics platforms.
Data Governance: Establish and enforce data governance frameworks, ensuring data quality, security, and compliance with industry standards and regulations.
Team Leadership: Mentor and guide junior engineers, fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation. Lead technical teams in delivering high-quality projects on time and within scope.
Technology Evaluation: Stay ahead of emerging technologies and trends, evaluating and recommending tools, platforms, and frameworks to enhance data capabilities.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with business analysts, data scientists, and software engineers to integrate data solutions into broader business applications.
Performance Optimization: Continuously monitor and optimize data systems for performance, scalability, and cost efficiency.
Client Engagement: Act as a trusted advisor to clients, providing thought leadership and technical expertise in solving complex data challenges.
Documentation: Create and maintain technical documentation, including architecture diagrams, data models, and operational procedures.
Incident Management: Lead troubleshooting efforts for critical data issues, ensuring timely resolution and root cause analysis.
Innovation: Drive innovation by identifying opportunities to leverage AI, machine learning, and advanced analytics in data engineering solutions.