Senior Data Architect

SALT; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 350,000 - 650,000; Full time

Job summary

SALT in Abu Dhabi is seeking a Senior Data Architect to define and shape the enterprise data architecture across operational systems, analytics, and AI. You will establish architecture principles, models, integration patterns and governance to build a secure, scalable data ecosystem.

Lead architecture reviews, drive federated data strategies, and collaborate with cybersecurity and business teams to ensure data quality, privacy and compliance across the organization.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in data architecture or related fields.
• Strong expertise in data modelling, warehousing, lakehouse architecture and data integration.
• Hands-on experience with cloud data ecosystems (Azure, Fabric, Databricks, Snowflake).
• Knowledge of governance, metadata, lineage and data quality.

Responsibilities

• Define the enterprise data architecture vision, principles, standards and roadmap.
• Design conceptual, logical and physical data models across operational, analytical and AI environments.
• Establish scalable batch, streaming, API and event-driven integration patterns.
• Develop architecture standards covering metadata, lineage, master data, data quality and lifecycle management.
• Support federated data architecture with clear domain ownership and self-service.
• Evaluate and modernise data platforms including Azure, Fabric, Databricks, Snowflake and lakehouse architectures.
• Partner with security and compliance teams to embed privacy and governance.
• Lead architecture reviews and provide guidance to data engineering teams.
• Identify opportunities to simplify and modernise enterprise data flows.

Skills

Data modelling

Data warehousing

Lakehouse architecture

Data integration

Azure

Microsoft Fabric

Databricks

Snowflake

Data governance

Metadata & lineage

Data quality

AI/ML support

Security & compliance

Stakeholder management

Education

Degree in Computer Science / Information Systems / Engineering

TOGAF certification

CDMP certification

Tools

Azure

Microsoft Fabric

Databricks

Snowflake

Job description

Senior Data Architect

Abu Dhabi, UAE

Duration: 12-month fixed term contract

About the Role

My client is looking for a Senior Data Architect to define and shape enterprise data architecture across operational systems, analytics, AI and federated data domains.

You will establish the architecture principles, data models, integration patterns and governance standards required to build a secure, scalable and trusted enterprise data ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities

• Define the enterprise data architecture vision, principles, standards and roadmap.
• Design conceptual, logical and physical data models across operational, analytical and AI environments.
• Establish scalable batch, streaming, API and event-driven integration patterns.
• Develop architecture standards covering metadata, lineage, master data, data quality, retention and lifecycle management.
• Support a federated data architecture, enabling clear domain ownership and business self-service.
• Evaluate and modernise data platforms including Azure, Microsoft Fabric, Databricks, Snowflake and lakehouse architectures.
• Partner with cybersecurity, enterprise architecture, technology and business teams to embed security, privacy and compliance into data solutions.
• Lead architecture reviews and provide technical direction, reusable patterns and guidance to data engineering teams.
• Identify opportunities to simplify, rationalise and modernise enterprise data flows.

What We're Looking For

• 8+ years of experience in Data Architecture, Data Engineering, Enterprise Architecture, Analytics Platforms or related areas.
• Strong expertise in data modelling, data warehousing, lakehouse architecture and data integration.
• Hands-on experience with modern cloud data ecosystems, ideally Azure / Microsoft Fabric / Databricks / Snowflake.
• Strong understanding of data governance, metadata, lineage and data quality.
• Experience designing data architectures that support AI/ML, advanced analytics or digital transformation.
• Strong stakeholder management and ability to translate business requirements into scalable architecture decisions.
• Experience working with security, privacy, risk and compliance teams.

Preferred

• Degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, Data Management or a related discipline.
• TOGAF, CDMP, Azure, Microsoft Fabric or equivalent certifications.
• Experience within aviation, ground services, logistics, cargo, transportation or other complex enterprise environments.
• Experience supporting AI, machine learning, optimisation or digital twin initiatives.

Why This Role

This is an opportunity to play a key role in shaping a modern enterprise data architecture, enabling trusted data, scalable analytics, self-service capabilities and responsible AI adoption across the organisation.

*** Only successful candidates will be contacted ***