Senior Enterprise Data Architect

State of Washington•Multiple Locations Statewide, WA

About The Position

The Senior Enterprise Data Architect works in the Department of Commerce’s Innovation and Technology Division, which delivers technology services supporting operational efficiency and digital transformation across the agency. The position leads the planning, design, modernization, and governance of enterprise data architecture so that agency data systems are secure, scalable, interoperable, reliable, and aligned with organizational goals. The role acquires, organizes, inventories, and analyzes complex datasets; develops and maintains data systems; and establishes processes and standards for secure data storage, retrieval, quality, integrity, metadata, classification, and lineage. It defines the enterprise data governance operating model and supports the development and implementation of policies, standards, procedures, and controls for data quality, security, privacy, retention, access, and stewardship. The Architect leads evaluation and implementation of enterprise data catalog and lineage tooling, integration across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments, and adoption of enterprise standards across agency divisions. Working with IT professionals, leadership, data stewards, program staff, and business units, the position resolves complex data inconsistencies, supports integration and reporting, provides technical guidance and mentorship, and helps ensure compliance with federal, state, and agency requirements. It also evaluates emerging technologies and recommends improvements to data platforms and workflows that support agency operations and decision-making.

Requirements

Eight years of combined professional IT experience in enterprise data management, data governance, and data architecture; alternatively, an associate’s degree in IT or a related field and at least six years of relevant professional experience; or a bachelor’s degree or higher in Information Technology, Computer Science, Data Science, or a closely related field and at least four years of recent professional experience in enterprise data management, data analysis, or data architecture.
Six years of experience with database technologies, ETL processes, data management tools, and statistical analysis software.
Experience resolving non-routine data quality issues, implementing validation and cleansing routines, and supporting compliance with privacy and regulatory requirements.
Experience leading cross-division enterprise data governance and platform initiatives, including hands-on implementation and integration of data catalog, metadata, and lineage solutions across hybrid environments, such as Microsoft/Azure ecosystems.
Experience developing policies, standards, taxonomies, and business glossaries, and driving organizational adoption through training, change management, and technical leadership.
Experience collaborating with cross-divisional teams and mentoring junior staff.
Effective communication skills, including documenting standards, presenting findings, and providing technical guidance to program staff.
Ability to use knowledge of organizational and political climate to make decisions that recognize and value diverse interests.
Ability to develop innovative solutions to workplace challenges.
Ability to take action to learn and grow.
Ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
A complete and detailed online application, a cover letter entered online, and at least three professional references entered online.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in or with Washington State government agencies, including knowledge of statewide IT policies, WaTech standards, and legislative data mandates.
Valid IT data certifications such as DAMA-DMBOK or CDMP.
Valid professional certifications such as TOGAF, ITIL, or MCSE.
Azure training or certifications.
Experience implementing Microsoft Purview, Collibra, Alation, or equivalent catalog and lineage platforms.

Responsibilities

Lead the design and modernization of enterprise data architecture, including structural frameworks, integration patterns, and governance standards across agency divisions.
Resolve complex data challenges, improve data management processes, and provide advanced technical guidance on architecture, standards, and best practices.
Collect, inventory, and validate datasets across agency divisions using enterprise data management tools and governance practices.
Design, develop, optimize, and administer secure enterprise data systems, including databases, ETL processes, and integrations.
Apply analytical, statistical, and automated validation methods to improve data quality, consistency, and integrity, and develop approaches for complex non-routine data issues.
Establish and implement metadata standards, classification rules, documentation practices, and enterprise data governance principles.
Model complex systems, evaluate emerging technologies, improve data workflows, and recommend agency-wide architectural improvements.
Triage incoming data requests, evaluate scope, data sources, and risk, assign work based on expertise and capacity, and ensure timely and accurate responses.
Conduct root cause analysis of complex data quality issues, collaborate with system owners on upstream corrections, and determine when non-routine remediation is needed.
Design, implement, and optimize automated validation and cleansing routines in ETL processes.
Coach and mentor junior staff, review work, deliver training, and develop documentation supporting consistent application of enterprise data standards.
Define, implement, and maintain the enterprise data governance framework, including roles, responsibilities, councils, decision rights, stewardship, and standards for metadata, quality, retention, access, and classification.
Collaborate with policy, privacy, and security leaders to operationalize policies and maintain the data domain taxonomy, business glossary, and authoritative data sources.
Lead and participate in data governance councils and working groups, aligning standards, supporting compliance, and resolving cross-divisional issues.
Document, maintain, and enhance enterprise data architecture standards and models for system development, integration, and modernization.
Evaluate alignment with governance policies, identify gaps, and recommend improvements to strengthen compliance and data quality.
Lead evaluation and selection of metadata, catalog, and lineage tools, including RFI/RFP processes, in alignment with WaTech standards, security, privacy, and interoperability needs.
Design target architecture and integration patterns for metadata, catalog, and lineage services across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments.
Implement automated metadata ingestion pipelines for datasets across SharePoint, Smartsheet, databases, file shares, and enterprise applications.
Establish and enforce data classification, tagging, access controls, and role-based security integrated with enterprise identity management.
Engage divisions to inventory data assets, translate business needs into governance artifacts, and promote adoption of enterprise standards and catalog practices.
Develop onboarding playbooks, training, guidance, and reference materials; mentor data stewards and technical staff on governance standards and platform capabilities.
Establish review cycles, audits, and quality checks; monitor compliance, remediate gaps, and improve metadata quality, lineage, and platform adoption.
Resolve complex cross-system metadata, lineage, and data quality issues and report progress, risks, and recommendations to IT leadership and executive sponsors.