Data Architect

Kforce Inc; Lenexa (KS); On-site; USD 125,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

HSA

FSA

401(k)

Life, disability & ADD insurance

Paid time off for salaried staff

Job summary

Kforce Inc. in Lenexa, KS is seeking an experienced Data Architect to own the target-state data architecture across Fabric and on‑premises SQL Server.

You will define ingestion, governance, data models, and reference architectures while aligning with stakeholders and business needs. Responsibilities include designing the data architecture, directing CDC/incremental patterns, and partnering with SQL Server DBAs and Data Engineers on HA/DR and archival.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Management, or a related field.
• 5+ years designing and delivering enterprise data solutions, including 2+ years in data architecture or lead data engineering.
• Experience with modern cloud analytics platforms; Fabric strongly preferred; Synapse/Databricks experience welcomed.
• Deep SQL Server experience: T-SQL, indexing, partitioning, and performance tuning on‑premises.
• Experience integrating on‑premises sources with cloud platforms and with CDC / incremental patterns.
• Proficiency in dimensional modeling, medallion architecture, ETL/ELT design, and data governance.
• Proficiency with Power BI semantic modeling, DAX; PySpark/Python for large transformations; Git/Azure DevOps for data assets.
• Strong written and verbal communication for executive audiences.

Responsibilities

• Own the target-state data architecture spanning Fabric and on-premises SQL Server.
• Define ingestion, governance, and data-mesh/architecture standards.
• Design logical/physical data models and maintain enterprise data model and glossary.
• Produce reference architectures and review significant designs with stakeholders.
• Architect SQL Server–Fabric integration and select appropriate data movement patterns.
• Define CDC, incremental-load, and watermarking strategies to keep Fabric current.
• Partner with DBA/Data Engineer on HA/DR, retention, archival, and on-prem design.
• Design tenant/workspace topology and promotion paths across environments.
• Maintain ownership boundaries: IT ingestion through Gold, FP&A business logic, BI consumption.
• Set Direct Lake as connectivity standard and establish monitoring and cost controls.

Skills

Data architecture

Cloud analytics platforms

Power BI modeling

DAX

Python / PySpark

Git / Azure DevOps

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS / IS / Data Management

Tools

Microsoft Fabric

Synapse

Databricks

Azure DevOps

SQL Server

Power BI

Git

Job description

Responsibilities

Kforce has a client in Lenexa, KS that is looking for an experienced Data Architect.

• Own the target-state data architecture spanning Fabric and on-premises SQL Server, including the roadmap for which workloads migrate, remain on-prem, or run hybrid
• Establish and enforce the medallion standard - append-only Bronze ingestion with source and batch metadata, conformed Silver entities, business-ready Gold star schemas in the Fabric Warehouse
• Design logical and physical data models and maintain the enterprise data model, business glossary, and data dictionary
• Produce reference architectures and decision records; Review significant designs before build and represent data architecture to stakeholders
• Architect SQL Server-to-Fabric integration, selecting among mirroring, Data Factory pipelines, Dataflows Gen2, OneLake shortcuts, and on-prem gateways based on latency, volume, and cost
• Define CDC, incremental-load, and watermarking strategies that keep Fabric current without destabilizing transactional systems
• Partner with the SQL Server DBA/Data Engineer on HA/DR, retention, and archival design - including D365 and legacy data archival - and set on-prem design, indexing, and partitioning standards
• Design tenant and workspace topology, capacity allocation, and the Dev, Test, Prod promotion path across the IT platform layer, FP&A semantic layer, and business-facing reporting workspaces
• Maintain clear ownership boundaries: IT owns ingestion through Gold, FP&A owns business logic and KPI definitions, the business consumes curated Power BI Apps
• Set Direct Lake as the connectivity standard over Import and DirectQuery, and define the exceptions where alternatives are warranted
• Establish capacity monitoring, cost management, and Azure DevOps Git source-control standards for pipelines, notebooks, semantic models, and SQL objects

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Management, or a related field
• 5+ years designing and delivering enterprise data solutions, including 2+ years in a data architecture or lead data engineering capacity
• Demonstrated experience architecting a modern cloud analytics platform - Microsoft Fabric strongly preferred; Synapse, Databricks, or equivalent Lakehouse experience considered
• Deep hands‑on SQL Server experience: T-SQL, database design, indexing, partitioning, and performance tuning on‑premises
• Experience integrating on‑premises sources with cloud platforms, including gateways, CDC, and incremental load patterns
• Proven expertise in dimensional modeling and star schema design, medallion architecture, and ETL/ELT pipeline design
• Working proficiency with Power BI semantic modeling, DAX, and row‑level security; PySpark or Python for large‑scale transformation; Git and Azure DevOps for data assets
• Excellent written and verbal communication, with the ability to translate complex technical concepts for executive audiences

Preferred Qualifications

• Microsoft certification such as Fabric Analytics Engineer, Fabric Data Engineer, or Azure Solutions Architect Expert
• Experience with Dynamics 365 F&O data structures and integration patterns, and with Microsoft Purview
• Experience supporting FP&A or financial reporting, including GL, cost center, and allocation data models
• Prior participation in architecture governance bodies (ARB, ITSAC) and enterprise standardization efforts
• Experience in construction, specialty contracting, or a comparable project‑based industry

The pay range is the lowest to highest compensation we reasonably in good faith believe we would pay at posting for this role. We may ultimately pay more or less than this range. Employee pay is based on factors like relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, location, performance, union contract and business needs. This range may be modified in the future.

• medical/dental/vision insurance
• HSA
• FSA
• 401(k)
• life, disability & ADD insurance to eligible employees
• Salaried personnel receive paid time off
• Hourly employees are not eligible for paid time off unless required by law
• Hourly employees on a Service Contract Act project are eligible for paid sick leave

Note: Pay is not considered compensation until it is earned, vested and determinable. The amount and availability of any compensation remains in Kforce's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified in its discretion consistent with the law.

This job is not eligible for bonuses, incentives or commissions.

Kforce is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status.