Senior Data Architect

National Research Council Canada; Ottawa; Hybrid; CAD 101,000 - 128,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Research Council Canada is seeking a Senior Data Architect to drive the digital transformation of construction data management. The successful candidate will leverage their expertise in data governance and modeling to support digital construction initiatives, working collaboratively with various teams to implement advanced data solutions and enhance data integration across the organization.

Benefits

Robust pension plan

Comprehensive health and dental coverage

Disability and life insurance

Office closure at the end of December

Additional well-being supports

Qualifications

• Experience in designing and implementing data integrations and pipelines.
• Significant experience in data modeling and database design.
• Knowledge of Azure data platform services and AI solutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of data management solutions.
• Develop holistic data models and interpret business requirements.
• Collaborate with teams to design data visuals and dashboards.

Skills

Data governance

Data modeling

Data integration

AI solutions

Data visualization

Cloud platforms

Education

Bachelor degree in Computer Science or related discipline

Tools

Azure

Power BI

SSIS

Python

Job description

Work Arrangements : Due to the nature of the work and operational requirements, this position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement (combination of working onsite and telework).Employees in this position who telework will be required to travel to the identified work site at least three times per week or a minimum of 60% of their regular work schedule at their own expense.

At NRC, we recognize that Indigenous candidates may have important connections to their communities and you may be eligible for an exception to this work arrangement. Alternative work arrangements may also be considered to accommodate candidates as required. To learn more about these options, please contact the hiring team using the contact information below.

Discover the possible

Anything is possible at the National Research Council (NRC),recently named one of Canada’s 2025 Top Employers for Young People, a 2025 Top Employer in the National Capital Region and Forbes Canada’s Best Employers!

As Canada’s leading research and technology organization, our world-renowned research pushes the boundaries of science and engineering to make the impossible, possible. Every day we explore new ideas through innovative research and help companies discover possibilities that impact Canada’s future and the world.

At the NRC, you’ll also discover new possibilities. Our supportive workplace fosters a culture of creativity, welcoming fresh perspectives and innovation at all levels. We value teamwork. You’ll collaborate across multiple fields and with the brightest minds to find creative solutions. Most importantly, you’ll discover what’s possible within you as you grow, make valuable contributions and progress in your professional journey. From ground-breaking discoveries to a life-changing career, discover your possible at the NRC.

The Role

We are looking for a creative and detail-oriented Senior Data Architect to join our Information Systems Unit. In this role, the incumbent will contribute to the design, deployment and enhancement of digitalized construction codes, specifications and product data, as well as a common data framework and environment to support the advancement of digital capabilities in the Canadian construction sector. The Senior Data Architect would be someone who shares our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Respect and Creativity.

As the data architecture subject matter expert, you will apply your expertise in data governance and data structures to help the NRC Construction Research Centre to digitalize, integrate and unify structured and semi-structured data as part of the development and implementation of modernized applications and platforms. You will work closely with research and regulatory teams, project teams and external digital construction domain experts to create data, cloud platform and AI solutions as part of IT modernization and construction sector digitalization initiatives.

The successful candidate is someone who can be counted on to :

• Lead the design, development and implementation of data management solutions to support new digital construction capabilities, including third-party data integrations, harmonized data standards and interoperability for Building Information Modeling and a Common Data Framework / Environment.
• Develop and refine a holistic data model across NRC Construction structured data, semi-structured content (), unstructured content, and metadata.
• Interpret business requirements in order to design and implement database schemas, data governance, security / data protection, and data integrations.
• Build proof-of-concepts to validate and refine solution designs.
• Investigate and recommend new data solutions, including new or updated Microsoft Azure or Fabric applications, features and services.

The Role (cont'd)

• Collaborate with the Information Systems Unit team to design and develop data visuals, dashboards or reports from new applications or datasets.
• Work with NRC and external AI specialists to design and adapt AI solutions to advance digital construction capabilities, such as the digitalization of construction codes.
• Participate in project teams and working groups composed of Information Systems Unit team members, management and subject matter experts to define use cases, requirements, target-state designs and implementation plans for emerging digital construction capabilities.
• Collaborate with the NRC Knowledge & Information Technology Services (KITS) and Security Branch to set up cloud data services based on requirements, and support security assessments, and develop associated technical documentation.
• Support knowledge transfer and capacity building by documenting best practices, developing training materials, and mentoring team members on data architecture principles and digital construction technologies.

Screening Criteria

Applicants must demonstrate within the content of their application that they meet the following screening criteria in order to be given further consideration as candidates :

Education

Bachelor degree in Computer Science or a related discipline from a recognized University or a Technical College diploma in Computer Science or a related field.

An equivalent combination of education and direct experience may be considered.

Microsoft Azure certifications may be considered an asset.

For information oncertificates and diplomas issued abroad, please see Degree equivalency

Experience

1. Significant and recent experience in designing and implementing data integrations, pipelines, SSIS and APIs.

2. Significant and recent experience in data modeling (dimensional, multi-dimensional, relational), and database design and implementation.

3.Recent experience in designing and implementing Azure data platform services, such as Azure SQL, CosmosDB, Azure Data Factory.

4. Significant experience in designing and deploying AI solutions using Natural Language Processing or Large Language Models.

The following may be considered as Assets :

• Recent experience in programming in Python or R for data analysis or machine learning, and machine-learning frameworks such as PyTorch.
• Experience with Azure DevOps Repos and Pipelines (or similar version control and CI / CD tools).
• Experience with data visualization tools such as Power BI.
• Experience with spatial data or Building Information Modeling (BIM) data.
• Experience with XML / XSD or DITA content modeling and validation, as well as structured content management systems for technical documentation.
• Experience with Oracle-APEX.
• Experience with graph databases and knowledge representation languages ().

Condition of Employment

Reliability Status

For a Reliability Status, verification of background information over a period of 5 years is required.

Language Requirements

Information on language requirements and self-assessment tests

Assessment Criteria

Candidates will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria :

• Advanced ability to apply data governance (data quality, data stewardship, data protection and compliance, data management) to data (existing and new capabilities) of an organization or team / business unit.
• Ability to produce, edit and present high quality technical documentation and data / technical architecture diagrams for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Advanced knowledge of data pipelines development, data modelling, cloud compute platforms, data integration and APIs, automation, data security and privacy.
• Knowledge of Azure platform services, such as Azure SQL, CosmosDB, Azure Data Factory, API Management and related, and an ability for building further knowledge in Azure services to support emerging NRC digital construction requirements.
• Knowledge of Natural Language Processing and Large Language Models, and the ability to design and implement AI solutions.
• Technology support - Conceptual and analytical ability (Level 2)
• Technology support - Results orientation (Level 2)

Competency Profile(s)

For this position, the NRC will evaluate candidates using the following competency profile(s) : Technology Support

View all competency profiles

Compensation

From $101,874to $127,511per annum.

NRC employees enjoy a wide-range of competitive benefits including a robust pension plan, comprehensive health and dental coverage, disability and life insurance, office closure at the end of December, and additional supports to enhance your well-being throughout your career and beyond.