AWS Data Architect

CGI; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 158,000 - 228,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading IT consultancy in Toronto seeks a Senior AWS Data Architect to design and implement scalable data solutions. The role involves leading client engagements, building data pipelines, and ensuring data governance. Ideal candidates have over 6 years of AWS Data Architecture experience and proficiency in Python and SQL. This position supports hybrid working, with on-site presence required in downtown Toronto several times a week.

Qualifications

• 6+ years relevant hands-on experience in AWS Data Architecture.
• Proven ability to build and optimize data pipelines.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end cloud data engagements as Senior Data Architect.
• Design data lake and warehouse architectures using AWS.
• Develop and oversee ETL/ELT pipelines using cloud tools.

Skills

AWS data services (S3, Glue, Redshift, EMR, Lambda, Kinesis, IAM)

Python

SQL

Data processing (ETL/ELT)

Data governance and compliance

Data modeling

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant field

Job description

Position Description

Location: Toronto
Hybrid: Must be willing to go on site downtown Toronto 3 times a week

Are you a Senior AWS Data Architect who's passionate about building modern, scalable, and intelligent data platforms? Do you find yourself constantly imagining how fragmented, inconsistent, and siloed data could be transformed into a unified, trusted, high-performing ecosystem? If you thrive on designing cloud‑native data architectures, enabling high‑quality data engineering, and solving complex data challenges at scale—while collaborating with talented colleagues and global clients—then you belong on our team. Join us to architect and deliver cutting‑edge Cloud, Data, and AI solutions that turn messy data landscapes into powerful enterprise assets.

Your future duties and responsibilities

The Emerging Technologies team in Global Technology and Operations (GTO) Canada at CGI is a trusted Data, Cloud, and Advanced Analytics advisor—and the go‑to implementation partner—for global clients’ data and AI needs. We are an entrepreneurial team continuously positioning CGI as a best‑in‑class Cloud and Data partner by delivering modern architectures, scalable platforms, and cutting‑edge innovation. We engage end‑to‑end: understanding client business challenges, assessing data and AI opportunities, designing cloud data platforms, building production‑grade solutions, and scaling them organization‑wide for strategic impact.

This is a hands‑on architect role that also provides technical leadership to multi‑disciplinary teams.

1. Lead & Deliver Client Engagements

   • Act as the hands‑on Senior Data Architect and technical lead across end‑to‑end cloud data engagements.
   • Drive architectural decisioning, roadmap creation, and solution delivery for AWS‑centric data platforms.
   • Work directly with business and technical stakeholders to understand requirements and translate them into scalable data solutions.

2. Architect Modern Cloud Data Platforms (AWS Focus)

   • Design data lake, data warehouse, and lakehouse architectures using AWS (S3, Redshift, Glue, Lambda, EMR, Athena, Kinesis).
   • Define data modeling patterns (dimensional, data vault, medallion architecture) and optimal storage, partitioning, and governance approaches.
   • Evaluate and select the right services, frameworks, and patterns to meet performance, cost, security, and scalability requirements.

3. Build Data Pipelines & Engineering Solutions

   • Develop and oversee high‑quality ETL/ELT pipelines using Glue, EMR, Lambda, Step Functions, or equivalent cloud tools.
   • Work across batch, streaming, and microservices‑based ingestion patterns.
   • Ensure robust data quality, metadata management, lineage, observability, and operational excellence.

4. Hands‑On Development

   • Write and review production‑grade Python and SQL, applying best practices, unit testing, and optimization.
   • Build automation and IaC using Terraform, CloudFormation or AWS CDK.
   • Work with large‑scale, complex, and dispersed datasets across hybrid cloud environments.

5. Data Governance, Security & Compliance

   • Implement IAM, KMS encryption, data cataloging, privacy controls, and governance frameworks.
   • Define standards for data quality, lineage, access models, and multi‑account cloud patterns.

6. Lead and Mentor

   • Mentor junior and intermediate Data Engineers, Data Scientists, and Cloud Engineers.
   • Guide teams in architecture choices, engineering standards, and best practices.
   • Foster a high‑performing, collaborative team culture.

7. Thought Leadership & Client Growth

   • Contribute to client proposals, pre‑sales discussions, and solutioning for Data, ML/AI, GenAI, and modernization initiatives.
   • Create reference architectures, reusable accelerators, and thought leadership content.
   • Support innovation initiatives and represent CGI in client workshops or industry discussions.

Other Responsibilities

• Drive strategic data discussions to help clients modernize legacy systems and adopt cloud‑native architectures.
• Develop POCs and MVPs to demonstrate value, and lead the transition from prototype to enterprise‑scale production.
• Work across multi‑cloud environments (Azure, GCP, Snowflake) when required, with AWS as the primary focus.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to deliver cohesive solutions across Data Engineering, MLOps, DevOps, and Application teams.
• Ensure solutions meet operational, security, performance, cost, and regulatory requirements.

Required qualifications to be successful in this role

Essential Qualifications

• 6+ years relevant hands‑on experience in AWS Data Architecture, Data Architecture, Data Engineering or Data Science with 9+ years of overall experience
• Experience consulting clients or stakeholders on Data and AI engagements

Must‑Have Qualifications

• Deep hands‑on expertise with AWS data services (S3, Glue, Redshift, EMR, Lambda, Kinesis, IAM)
• Strong experience designing data lakes, data warehouses, and end‑to‑end cloud data platforms
• Proven ability to build and optimize data pipelines and orchestration
• Strong Python and SQL for ETL/ELT, automation, and data validation
• Experience with big data ecosystems (Spark, EMR, distributed compute)
• Solid grounding in data modeling (dimensional, data vault, medallion/lakehouse)
• Knowledge of data governance, security, and compliance
• Strong communication and stakeholder‑facing skills; ability to translate business needs into architecture.
• English required; French an asset.
• Education: Bachelors degree in relevant field and/or equivalent experience

Nice‑to‑Have Qualifications

• Experience with Azure or GCP cloud data services.
• Consulting background or exposure to client‑facing architecture roles
• Experience supporting pre‑sales, proposals, and solutioning
• Experience with ML/AI workflows, feature stores, or SageMaker
• Exposure to GenAI and LLM‑driven data solutions (RAG pipelines, vector stores, embedding strategies).

“CGI is providing a reasonable estimate of the pay range for this role. The determination of this range includes various factors including but not limited to skill set level, geographic market, experience and training, and licenses and certifications. Compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is $115,000 - $165,000.” This role is an existing vacancy.

#LI-AB19

Use of the term ‘architect’ in this job posting refers to the technical sense related to Information Technology (IT) and does not imply that the individual practices architecture or possesses the requisite license as prescribed by the applicable provincial or territorial architect regulator. We are seeking individuals with expertise in IT architect‑related functions, but licensure from an architect regulator is not a prerequisite for this position. Architecture is a regulated profession in Canada which is restricted in terms of use of titles and designation.

Skills

• BI Architecture
• Data Architecture
• Data Engineering
• English
• Technical Architecture

What you can expect from us

Together, as owners, let’s turn meaningful insights into action.

Life at CGI is rooted in ownership, teamwork, respect and belonging. Here, you’ll reach your full potential because…

You are invited to be an owner from day 1 as we work together to bring our Dream to life. That’s why we call ourselves CGI Partners rather than employees. We benefit from our collective success and actively shape our company’s strategy and direction.

Your work creates value. You’ll develop innovative solutions and build relationships with teammates and clients while accessing global capabilities to scale your ideas, embrace new opportunities, and benefit from expansive industry and technology expertise.

You’ll shape your career by joining a company built to grow and last. You’ll be supported by leaders who care about your health and well‑being and provide you with opportunities to deepen your skills and broaden your horizons.

At CGI, we value the strength that diversity brings and are committed to fostering a workplace where everyone belongs. We collaborate with our clients to build more inclusive communities and empower all CGI partners to thrive. As an equal‑opportunity employer, being able to perform your best during the recruitment process is important to us. If you require an accommodation, please inform your recruiter.

To learn more about accessibility at CGI, contact us via email. Please note that this email is strictly for accessibility requests and cannot be used for application status inquiries.

Come join our team—one of the largest IT and business consulting services firms in the world.