Senior Data Architect

Russell Tobin; Edmonton; Remote; CAD 138,000 - 152,000; Full time

Job summary

Russell Tobin is seeking a Senior Data Architect to design and lead data integration for a Digital Regulatory Assurance System, Databricks-based Data Management Platform, and Geospatial Platform. You will establish the architecture and governance to enable trusted, timely, secure data for business users and stakeholders.

You will work with an Agile team including developers, data engineers, GIS specialists, and product owners to deliver scalable data solutions in a regulated, public-sector

Qualifications

• University degree in a technical field as listed.
• 7+ years in data architecture, data engineering, or data integration.
• 3+ years in a Data Architect role.
• Hands-on with Databricks, Delta Lake, Spark/PySpark/SQL, Unity Catalog.
• Strong relational, dimensional, and lake house data modelling.
• Experience with REST APIs, ETL/ELT, and event streaming.
• Exposure to cloud platforms, preferably Microsoft Azure.

Responsibilities

• Define and maintain target-state data architecture across platforms.
• Design data models for regulatory, environmental, and geospatial data.
• Establish integration patterns (batch, near-real-time, event-driven, API-based, CDC).
• Design lakehouse architectures using Databricks, Delta Lake, Spark, and Unity Catalog.
• Architect spatial data flows with correct geometry and CRS.
• Lead data pipelines and interfaces between enterprise systems.
• Collaborate with data engineers and developers through implementation.
• Define data contracts, API specs, and interface agreements.
• Resolve data quality, schema changes, latency, and dependencies.
• Participate in Agile ceremonies and translate requirements to deliverables.
• Mentor team members and promote best practices in data architecture.

Skills

Data architecture

Databricks

Delta Lake

Spark

Unity Catalog

REST APIs

ETL/ELT

Event streaming

Change Data Capture

Azure

Geospatial data

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, Geomatics, or a related field

Tools

Databricks

Delta Lake

Spark

Unity Catalog

Azure Data Lake Storage

Data Factory

Job description

Senior Data Architect – Digital Regulatory Assurance System

Location: Remote – Canada

Work Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:15 AM–4:30 PM Alberta Time

Duration: Long-term contract with possible extension

Work Location Requirement: Must be performed within Canada

Rate: $100 - $110 per hour (CAD)

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Senior Data Architect to design and lead data integration across a Digital Regulatory Assurance System, a Databricks-based Data Management Platform, and a Geospatial Platform.

The successful candidate will establish the architecture and direction for how regulatory, environmental, and spatial data is integrated, managed, governed, and delivered across enterprise platforms. The objective is to enable trusted, timely, secure, and reusable data for business users, decision-makers, and stakeholders.

You will work within a multidisciplinary Agile team consisting of developers, data engineers, GIS specialists, business analysts, and product owners.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and maintain the target-state data architecture across regulatory, data management, and geospatial platforms.
• Design conceptual, logical, and physical data models for regulatory, environmental, and geospatial data domains.
• Establish appropriate integration patterns, including batch, near-real-time, event-driven, API-based, and change data capture approaches.
• Design lakehouse architectures using Databricks, Delta Lake, Spark, and Unity Catalog.
• Architect spatial data flows while maintaining geometry, coordinate reference systems, and spatial accuracy.

Data Integration & Delivery

• Lead the design of data pipelines and interfaces between enterprise systems.
• Collaborate closely with data engineers and developers throughout solution implementation.
• Define data contracts, API specifications, and interface agreements.
• Resolve complex integration challenges involving data quality, schema changes, latency, and system dependencies.
• Participate in Agile ceremonies, including sprint planning, backlog refinement, and reviews.
• Translate architecture requirements into actionable user stories and technical deliverables.

Data Governance, Security & Quality

• Implement data governance practices covering metadata management, data lineage, data classification, and master/reference data.
• Ensure solutions address information security, privacy, and records management requirements.
• Define data quality rules, validation frameworks, and monitoring strategies.
• Apply appropriate role-based access controls and data-sharing policies based on data sensitivity.
• Act as a senior data architecture advisor to program leadership, product owners, and technical teams.
• Work with business stakeholders to understand business processes and translate them into data requirements.
• Collaborate with enterprise architecture, cybersecurity, and platform teams to ensure alignment with organizational standards and roadmaps.
• Develop architecture documentation, diagrams, and technical decision records.
• Mentor team members and promote data architecture best practices.

Required Qualifications

• University degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, Geomatics, or a related field.
• 7+ years of progressive experience in data architecture, data engineering, or data integration, including at least 3 years in a Data Architect role.
• Hands-on experience designing solutions using Databricks, Delta Lake, Spark/PySpark/SQL, and Unity Catalog.
• Strong experience with relational, dimensional, and lake house data modelling.
• REST APIs
• ETL/ELT
• Event streaming
• Change Data Capture (CDC)
• Experience with cloud data platforms, preferably Microsoft Azure, including Azure Data Lake Storage, Data Factory, Event Hubs, and Key Vault.
• Experience with ServiceNow integrations.
• Experience working in the public sector, preferably with regulatory systems or programs.
• Experience integrating with geospatial platforms and understanding geospatial