Database | Data Platform Solution Architect

Engineers and Constructors International•Houston, TX

About The Position

ECI Group’s Professional Technical Services Network is seeking a skilled and seasoned Database | Data Platform Solution Architect to enhance automation and fully harness data and innovation. Our client, Shell is advancing its Powering Progress strategy on the journey to net-zero emissions. Achieving this ambition requires uniting Shell’s strategic and technical expertise across data, strategy, architecture, and innovation. This integration is essential to drive the transformative shifts needed in IT. This is a Houston based eleven month contract role. Note: Must be a US Citizen or US permanent residents to qualify to for this position. As a Database|Data Platform Solution Architect, you'll be a key technical leader providing end-to-end architecture development, consultancy and assurance across projects, ensuring that applications are well designed and aligned with Shell's standards and reference architecture. You will be working specifically in the Products portfolio for Shell's standards and reference architecture. You will work on a project team implementing a global Energy Trade and Risk Management (ETRM) solution on Azure to create a scalable secure and strategic landscape that enables the transformation of the trading capabilities.

Requirements

Must have led large Oracle to SQL Server migrations
Designed backup and DR strategies for large databaes (15 TB+ scale) preferred.
10+ years in software and architecture delivery.
Own and drive technical architecture, design, and standards for software products in Commodities Trading.
Confidently lead architecture decisions across portfolios, managing divergent opinions.
Create pragmatic, implementable technical designs balancing risk, complexity, cost, and value.
TOGAF (or similar framework) experience and Enterprise Architecture tooling.
Collaborate with business and IT stakeholders for strategic and day-to-day technical decisions.
Strong communication and collaboration skills with 5+ years' experience in trading environments.
Listen to and interpret needs of technical and business stakeholders, manage expectations, and facilitate discussions.
Be an active participant in the wider Tech Lead and engineering communities.
Diagnose problems and implement innovative solutions fitting into the wider Shell Trading picture.
Manage dependencies, overcome obstacles, and maximize value against constraints, managing trade-offs or technical debt.
Expert in one or more of the programming languages (Node.js, .Net, .Net Core, Python etc) with Cloud Native Platform Development (Azure/AWS)
Expert in one or more of the front-end development technologies (specifically React and Micro frontend).
Expert in one or more of Data Development (SQL Databases, No SQL, Cloud Datastores etc) technologies
Exposure to OpenLink Endur, SAP HANA, Salesforce, API management, Multifactor authentication.
Hands-on experience in architecting applications into the Azure platform, including migrations/re-platforming of legacy on-premise systems.
Engineering and architecture experience in designing and building containers, Microservices, Cloud Native applications, and federated Data platforms (Data Mesh).
3+ years experience in Data Architecture including Logical data models and designing solutions using data platforms and medallion architecture.
Strong knowledge of data management: engineering, pipeline development, warehousing, storage, lifecycle management, privacy, security.
Experience with diverse data types: big data, high velocity streaming, IoT, low latency event triggers, longitudinal time series.
Proficient in SQL and NoSQL databases.
Significant experience with Azure functions, web apps, distributed/event-driven architecture (event hub, event bus, Kafka), ELK.
Intermediate to advanced exposure to Azure Active Directory, Azure Data Factory, Azure Data Lake, Azure Storage, Azure Kubernetes Service, CosmosDB, Azure SQL.
Integration experience with Confluent/Kafka, API Management, Logic Apps.
5+ years in CI/CD delivery using Git/GitHub, VSTS/Azure DevOps, Terraform, Ansible.
Practical agile experience in both start-up and enterprise environments.
Lead the engineering community to follow Shell Engineer Management standards, ensuring consistency and reuse.
Understand and deliver core engineering GPA objectives.
Create a collaborative environment for technical roles to drive clear decisions and consistency.
Address Business Process, Data, Application, Technical, and Information Security aspects of IT Solutions, documenting in High-Level Design documents.
Coordinate and develop information with third parties (Data Architects, IRM, Support Operations teams, Business stakeholders), internal and external to Shell.

Responsibilities

Architect the Azure SQL Server platform
Provide migration strategy: Oracle to SQL server (data and logic)
PL/SQL to T-SQL conversion and equivalence strategy
Database sizing, right-tiering, and performance tuning
Backup and disaster recovery for 15TB+ database on Azure
Ongoing tuning through development, integration testing and UAT
Work with engineering teams on infrastructure and long-term health
Provide strong leadership skills, including fostering collaboration, driving consensus, and effectively communicating complex technical concepts.
Not only lead in your area of expertise but also play a key role in shaping and transforming the role itself—identifying opportunities, driving innovation, and delivering impact that extends beyond the initial remit. As the organization grows, your role is expected to evolve, offering continuous opportunities for development, influence, and leadership.
Serve as the primary contact for architectural aspects of IT projects.
Integrate business process, data, application, technical, and information security dimensions into cohesive IT solutions.
Ensure solution architectures are documented using standard templates and tooling complying with Shell’s architectural standards.
Guide detailed designers and business analysts during the design phase.
Review and formally approve detailed solution designs.
Support Lead Architect and participate in Architecture Review Board sessions as required.
Actively contribute to the documentation, enhancement, and maintenance of Reference Models in BizzDesign or any other standard tooling.
Elevate project deliverables to conceptual and logical architecture levels.
Monitor emerging IT technologies and apply this insight to design future-ready solutions for Shell.
Stay informed of developments in Shell’s IT standards and services, ensuring they are incorporated into solution designs.
Champion architectural excellence within the organization.
Engage with stakeholders to address architectural concerns and drive strategic improvements.