Data Architect

RFG Advisory

Dallas (TX)

Hybrid

USD 160,000 - 180,000

Full time

19 hours ago

Be an early applicant

Get a reply from this employer

Your resume and cover letter, tailored to exactly what they’re hiring for.

Get past ATS filters

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary + bonus pool

Generous PTO and holidays

Health, dental, vision insurance + RFG

HSA / FSA

401(k) with Safe Harbor

Parental leave / disability / life保险

Job summary

RFG Advisory seeks a senior data platform leader to own the Snowflake environment, build a governed data catalog, and drive data architecture across the firm. You will design canonical data models, reconcile figures to core systems, and lead data governance to protect client information.

The role requires 8+ years in data engineering/architecture, strong SQL/Python skills, and experience with dbt and CI/CD. Hybrid work with travel to client sites may be involved.

Qualifications

8+ years in data engineering or data architecture, incl. 2+ years as technical lead.
Deep Snowflake experience: modeling, RBAC, row access, masking, cost management.
Expert SQL and dimensional modeling; Python for pipelines; experience with dbt or similar.
Experience designing row-level data access so users see only their data.

Responsibilities

Own Snowflake environment, structure, environments, compute, performance, and cost.
Run reliable pipelines from core systems with monitoring for freshness and errors.
Version-control data logic with code review, tests, and release process.
Define target data architecture and roadmap with standard integration patterns.
Ensure data backup, recovery, retention for assets; troubleshoot performance.
Review new projects for data impact and produce high-level designs.
Simplify data landscape by removing duplicates and maintaining data flow diagrams.
Design canonical data model for clients, accounts, and transactions.
Create governed catalog of metrics with definitions, owners, and tests.
Reconcile figures to source systems and GL; publish results.
Establish data governance with catalog, quality rules, and owners.
Design row-level access across data surfaces; test regularly.
Lead classification, masking, and access reviews for client data.

Skills

Snowflake experience

SQL

Python

Data modeling

Data governance

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's in CS/IS

Master's preferred

Tools

Snowflake

dbt

Git

CI/CD

Salesforce

Python

Job description

Location:

If in Birmingham, AL, our office works a hybrid schedule (3 days in-office, 2 remote).

If remote, occasional travel to Birmingham will be required including onboarding.

Reports to:

VP of Technology

What You'll Do

Data Platform Ownership

Own our Snowflake environment: account structure, environments, compute, performance, and cost.

Run reliable pipelines from core business systems, including financial, CRM, and marketing platforms, with monitoring for freshness, completeness, and errors.

Put all data logic under version control with code review, automated testing, and a defined release process.

Define the target data architecture and roadmap, including reference architecture and standard integration patterns.

Tune performance, troubleshoot issues, and own backup, recovery, and retention for data assets.

Review new projects and requests for their data impact and produce high-level designs before work starts.

Simplify the data landscape: remove duplicate data and pipelines, and keep current diagrams of how data flows across systems.

Building the Data Model & Metric Layer

Design and deliver a canonical data model for the firm's core business entities such as clients, accounts, and transactions.

Create a governed catalog of business metrics with clear definitions, owners, and tests.

Reconcile key figures to source systems and the general ledger, and publish the results.

Establish data governance: a data catalog with business definitions and lineage, data quality rules and monitoring, and named owners for key data.

Client Data Protection

Design and maintain row-level access so each user and business unit sees only the data they are entitled to across every data surface, and test it regularly.

Lead classification, masking, and access reviews for client personal information in partnership with IT and Security.

Track changing privacy and data protection rules and partner with Compliance so our data practices stay ahead of them.

AI Readiness

Build a documented semantic layer that AI assistants and internal tools can query safely.

Give AI and engineering teams governed datasets and access patterns so new tools can ship quickly.

Migrations, Reporting & Partner Management

Lead the data work for system migrations.

Deliver the firm scorecard and leadership reporting on the same governed metrics used across the firm.

Hold technology vendors and development partners to clear data standards, and keep the firm able to move its data and logic between platforms.

Guide and upskill vendor engineers: set quality standards, review their work, and manage technical dependencies and roadmap milestones across teams.

Requirements

Experience

8+ years in data engineering or data architecture, including 2+ years as the technical lead for a data platform, a team, or a major data initiative, with a track record of balancing hands‑on delivery with leading the work.

Deep, hands‑on Snowflake experience: data modeling, tasks and dynamic tables, role‑based access control, row access and masking policies, and cost management.

Expert SQL and dimensional modeling; working Python for pipelines and automation; experience with dbt or a similar transformation framework, Git, and CI/CD.

Experience designing row‑level data access so that customers, offices, or business units see only their own data.

Financial services data experience; wealth or asset management is a plus.

Experience with semantic layers and AI data access such as Snowflake Cortex or semantic views preferred.

Experience integrating CRM data, especially Salesforce, with a data warehouse preferred.

Experience working with outsourced or vendor development teams preferred.

Familiarity with SEC and FINRA expectations for protecting client data preferred.

Skills & Competencies

Turns business requirements into technical designs and specifications, and explains data trade‑offs clearly to executives, business users, and engineers in writing, in conversation, and in diagrams.

Proactive and challenging of the status quo; asks probing questions to improve how data is managed and used.

Player‑coach with the discipline to stay hands‑on while setting standards and raising the capability of those around them.

Has managed people or is ready to grow into managing a small data team.

Technology & Tools

Snowflake: advanced proficiency required across modeling, RBAC, row access policies, dynamic tables, and cost management.

Expert SQL, dimensional modeling, dbt or equivalent transformation framework, Git, and CI/CD.

Working Python for pipelines and automation.

Relevant certifications such as SnowPro Advanced (Architect or Data Engineer), CDMP, or a cloud data credential (Azure, AWS, or GCP) are a plus.

Proficiency with AI tools such as Claude, ChatGPT, or Microsoft Copilot to improve productivity, pipeline design, and data analysis workflows.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field; equivalent professional experience considered.

Master's degree is a plus.

Company

RFG Advisory is a platform for growth‑minded Independent Advisors who want to scale without compromise. We're building the RIA of the Future‑powered by innovation, collaboration, and execution. We take care of each other first. We show up with servant hearts and growth mindsets. We lead boldly, iterate to excellence, and commit to getting 1% better every day. If you're energized by precision, structure, and being the person who makes it all happen‑we'd love to meet you.

www.RFGadvisory.com/awards

This hiring process may include the use of automated tools to assist with resume review. All hiring decisions are ultimately made by qualified human reviewers. For more information about our hiring practices, data use, and accommodation request procedures, please review our Privacy Policy. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law. We will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities during the application and hiring process.

Benefits And Compensation

Salary: $160,000-$180,000