(USA) Staff, Data Architect - Data Steward

Walmart • Bentonville, AR

5d • $110,000 - $220,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Staff Data Steward role is a senior individual contributor responsible for driving the quality, integrity, and consistency of enterprise data assets. This role operates across a complex, distributed data ecosystem and partners closely with Product, Engineering, and Business teams to ensure data is trusted, well-governed, and aligned to enterprise standards. As a Staff Data Steward, you will set direction for data governance practices, influence how data is designed and managed within data products and platforms, and enable high-quality, reliable data to support business decision-making—particularly in domains where data accuracy, consistency, and auditability are critical, including financial and operational reporting. What you'll do... Drive data quality and integrity across systems: Ensure the accuracy, consistency, and completeness of data across platforms. Identify and resolve data quality issues and implement scalable solutions to improve data reliability, especially for data used in reporting and decision-making. Define and operationalize data governance standards: Establish and enforce standards for data definitions, lineage, metadata, and controls. Partner with teams to ensure consistent adoption of governance practices, with an emphasis on data that supports reporting and decision-making processes. Partner with Product and Engineering to embed governance by design: Work directly with Product Managers and Engineering teams to integrate governance into data product design, pipelines, and platform architecture . Ensure governance is built into systems upfront, not applied retroactively. Influence data modeling and technical design decisions: Leverage strong technical understanding of data platforms and pipelines to guide how data is structured, transformed, and exposed. Advocate for scalable, standardized solutions aligned to enterprise data principles and reporting needs. Collaborate across a federated data ecosystem: Align cross-functional teams on data definitions, usage, and standards across multiple systems. Drive consistency and reduce fragmentation in how data is created and consumed, particularly for data used in operational and financial contexts. Support and lead data governance initiatives: Contribute to and lead initiatives that improve data governance maturity, reduce risk, and enhance the usability and trust of data across the organization. Drive responsible adoption of GenAI in data workflows: Demonstrate curiosity and practical application of GenAI tools to improve productivity, accelerate analysis, and enhance data stewardship workflows. Partner with teams to ensure appropriate use of GenAI with a focus on data quality, privacy, and governance. Act as a thought partner on governing GenAI and emerging technologies: Help define and promote best practices for responsible use of GenAI , including considerations for data security, lineage, accuracy, and ethical use within data products and processes.

Requirements

• Experience in data governance and data management: Strong understanding of data governance principles including data quality, lineage, metadata, and stewardship.
• Technical fluency in modern data ecosystems: Ability to engage with Engineering on data models, pipelines, and platforms , and understand how data flows across systems in a large-scale environment.
• Data analytics and SQL proficiency: Strong ability to analyze datasets, investigate data issues, and validate outputs using SQL and analytical techniques to drive insights and ensure data accuracy.
• Working knowledge of financial and operational data concepts: Experience working with data that supports financial or operational processes, with an understanding of the importance of accuracy, consistency, and reconciliation in these contexts.
• Curiosity and applied use of GenAI: Demonstrated interest in leveraging GenAI and automation tools to improve efficiency and effectiveness, with an understanding of their implications on data governance.
• Strong collaboration with Product and Engineering: Proven ability to work cross-functionally to influence how data is built and managed within data products and platforms.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills: Ability to assess complex data issues, identify root causes, and implement scalable solutions.
• Effective communication and stakeholder alignment: Ability to translate data concepts into clear, actionable insights and drive alignment across technical and business teams.
• Attention to detail and commitment to data quality: Strong focus on accuracy, consistency, and accountability in managing data assets.
• Option 1: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field and 4 years' experience in data engineering, solution architecture, business intelligence, business analytics or related field.
• Option 2: 6 years' experience in data engineering, solution architecture, business intelligence, business analytics or related field.
• Option 3: Master's degree in Computer Science and 2 years' experience in data engineering, solution architecture, business intelligence, business analytics or related field.

Nice To Haves

• Data architecture/software architecture/data modeling
• Master’s degree in Computer Science or related field and 4 years' experience in software engineering or related field
• Relevant industry experience (for example, retail, supply chain, eCommerce, healthcare, etc.)
• Solution Architecture
• We value candidates with a background in creating inclusive digital experiences, demonstrating knowledge in implementing Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 AA standards, assistive technologies, and integrating digital accessibility seamlessly. The ideal candidate would have knowledge of accessibility best practices and join us as we continue to create accessible products and services following Walmart’s accessibility standards and guidelines for supporting an inclusive culture.

Responsibilities

• Drive data quality and integrity across systems
• Define and operationalize data governance standards
• Partner with Product and Engineering to embed governance by design
• Influence data modeling and technical design decisions
• Collaborate across a federated data ecosystem
• Support and lead data governance initiatives
• Drive responsible adoption of GenAI in data workflows
• Act as a thought partner on governing GenAI and emerging technologies

Benefits

• At Walmart, we offer competitive pay as well as performance-based bonus awards and other great benefits for a happier mind, body, and wallet.
• Health benefits include medical, vision and dental coverage.
• Financial benefits include 401(k), stock purchase and company-paid life insurance.
• Paid time off benefits include PTO (including sick leave), parental leave, family care leave, bereavement, jury duty, and voting.
• Other benefits include short-term and long-term disability, company discounts, Military Leave Pay, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, and more.
• You will also receive PTO and/or PPTO that can be used for vacation, sick leave, holidays, or other purposes.
• Live Better U is a Walmart-paid education benefit program for full-time and part-time associates in Walmart and Sam's Club facilities. Programs range from high school completion to bachelor's degrees, including English Language Learning and short-form certificates. Tuition, books, and fees are completely paid for by Walmart.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level