Data Architect

Deeplight; United Arab Emirates; On-site; AED 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A specialist AI and data consultancy seeks a visionary Data Architect to lead Lakehouse implementations. The successful candidate will design and enforce Medallion Architecture, define standards for Apache Iceberg tables, and provide technical leadership to Data Factory squads. Excellent communication skills to navigate complex stakeholder interactions are essential. This role offers competitive compensation, comprehensive health insurance, and opportunities for career advancement within a rapidly growing AI company in the United Arab Emirates.

Benefits

Competitive salary and performance bonuses

Comprehensive health insurance

Professional development support

Flexible working arrangements

Career advancement opportunities

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in data architecture roles.
• Experience with Lakehouse architecture and AWS services.
• Ability to influence decision-making in architectural forums.

Responsibilities

• Design and enforce Medallion Architecture for the Lakehouse.
• Lead design for Data Factory squads and manage escalations.
• Define standards for Apache Iceberg tables and establish data modeling.

Skills

Data Architecture

Lakehouse Implementations

Stakeholder Management

Apache Iceberg

AWS Services

Data Modeling

Communication

Agile Methodologies

Tools

Jira

Spark

OpenMetadata

Job description

DeepLight AI is a specialist AI and data consultancy with extensive experience implementing intelligent enterprise systems across multiple industries, with particular depth in financial services and banking.

Our team combines deep expertise in data science, statistical modeling, AI/ML technologies, workflow automation, and systems integration with a practical understanding of complex business operations.

DeepLight AI is seeking a visionary Data Architect to serve as the strategic blueprint designer for our most complex enterprise Lakehouse implementations.

In this high-authority consultancy role, you will own the Medallion Architecture roadmap, steering high-level decision-making through SAF/ARB forums and defining the gold standard for Apache Iceberg tables—from partitioning strategies to schema evolution and time travel.

You will bridge the gap between abstract design and production reality, leading Data Factory squads and providing expert mentorship to AWS Glue Engineers to ensure every line of code aligns with global modeling and lineage standards.

Technical mastery is only half the battle; we need a master communicator who can command a room of senior stakeholders.

You must be able to persuasively "sell" your architectural vision, navigate complex escalations with diplomacy, and translate intricate metadata and lineage strategies into clear business value.

If you are a technical authority who thrives on influencing the direction of large-scale financial services transformations and establishing reusable design patterns that set a firm apart, we want you at the helm of our architectural practice.

Responsibilities

• Architectural Leadership: Design and enforce Medallion Architecture for the Lakehouse.
• Drive architectural decision-making through SAF/ARB architecture forums.
• Lead design for all Data Factory squads working on data initiatives.
• Iceberg Table Standards: Define standards for Apache Iceberg tables, including partitioning strategy, schema evolution, time travel and snapshot retention, table optimization schedules.
• Data Modeling & Standards: Establish data modeling standards (e.g., dimensional modeling for Gold layer, SCD2, naming conventions, metadata management).
• Define lineage standards leveraging OpenMetadata.
• Collaboration & Governance: Coordinate with platform teams on Iceberg-related activities and collaborate with Data Quality leads to implement validation rules.
• Proactively manage escalations and communicate progress with senior stakeholders.
• Technical Leadership: Provide guidance to Glue Data Engineers, establish code review processes and best practices, and create reusable design patterns and templates for consistency.

Qualifications

• You will have experience in data architecture roles, ideally 10+ years with at least 3 years in Lakehouse implementations.
• Lakehouse architecture (S3, Iceberg, Glue, Spark).
• Schema evolution, partitioning strategies, and table optimization in Iceberg.
• Defining metadata management, lineage, and data quality frameworks.
• Knowledge of Medallion architecture and data modeling principles.
• Leading architectural forums and influencing decision-making.
• AWS services (S3, Glue, Athena, EMR).
• Apache Iceberg, Spark.
• OpenMetadata or similar lineage tools.
• Automating work / repetitive tasks.
• Communicating and stakeholder management.
• Working collaboratively across multiple squads and teams.
• Working in a fast‑paced environment and delivering aggressive migration targets.
• Working with Jira and agile ways of working.

Benefits & Growth Opportunities

• Competitive salary and performance bonuses
• Comprehensive health insurance
• Professional development and certification support
• Opportunity to work on cutting‑edge AI projects
• Flexible working arrangements
• Career advancement opportunities in a rapidly growing AI company

Inclusion & Accessibility

At DeepLight AI, we recognise that diversity drives innovation. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where individuals with different thinking styles can thrive and contribute their unique strengths to our specialised AI and data solutions.

Our goal is to ensure our application and interview process is accessible, predictable, and fair for all candidates. If you require any specific adjustments to the application process, or if you require any reasonable adjustments should you be successful in being processed to the interview stage, please do let us know. This information will be kept strictly confidential and will not impact hiring decisions.

This position offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of AI implementation while working with a talented team of professionals at the forefront of technological innovation. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in driving our company's success in delivering transformative AI solutions to our clients.