Databricks Solutions Architect

Strategic Management Solutions, LLC (SMSI); New Mexico; Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Strategic Management Solutions, LLC (SMSI) is looking for a Databricks Solutions Architect to assist at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). This position will primarily operate remotely with occasional site visits. The role focuses on transforming legacy data systems to a modern cloud architecture while ensuring data integrity and security.

Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in data architecture, Databricks solutions, and a solid understanding of cloud data strategies. A bachelor's degree in a related field and a DOE Q clearance are necessary.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in data architecture and modernization.
• Hands-on experience with cloud solutions and Databricks.
• Ability to work on compliance and data governance.

Responsibilities

• Define data strategy and architecture for cloud transformation.
• Guide platform migrations to Databricks solutions.
• Mentor teams and evaluate Databricks capabilities.

Skills

Cloud-based data solutions

Data architecture

Databricks reference architecture

Real-time streaming

Python

SQL

Education

Bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field

Tools

Databricks

Delta Lake

Spark

Job description

SMSI provides expert management consulting, program and project management, and technical consulting services to government and private sector clients. SMSI has grown and evolved by building an outstanding reputation for client-focused performance and for delivering results that enable clients to meet commitments and milestones.

SMSI is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Job Summary

SMSI LLC is seeking a Databricks Solutions Architect to assist our client, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL). This position will be mostly remote, with occasional trips onsite in Los Alamos, NM as needed.

Responsibilities

Los Alamos National Laboratory has selected SAP for their next‑generation Cloud ERP solution. In parallel, they will require a future state data strategy to take advantage of new tools and technology to help modernize their current on‑prem operational data store. This work plays a critical role in supporting key institutional initiatives such as enabling real‑time analytics, AI/ML capabilities, and enhanced operational efficiency.

This role will be critical in the transformation of their legacy data environment into a modern, cloud‑native architecture. In concert with institutional knowledge experts and ERP implementation planner and integrators, you will define the data strategy, standards, and blueprints for migrating and integrating high‑volume operational data into a new platform, ensuring data integrity, security, and accessibility across the enterprise.

Job Requirements

• 5+ years of progressive experience in data architecture, data modernization, and cloud‑based data solutions.
• Advise on the Databricks reference architecture covering Lakeflow, Delta Lake, Unity Catalog, Mosaic AI, Databricks SQL, and Databricks Apps.
• Provide hands‑on guidance on Databricks full‑stack solution design.
• Advise on design of both data movement (e.g. batch, real‑time streaming) and zero‑copy patterns.
• Guide platform migrations from legacy SQL and document stores onto Databricks and related cloud data platforms.
• Recommend security, governance, and compliance‑as‑code: Unity Catalog ABAC, governed tags, row filters/column masks, key management, networking security and compliance security profiles.
• Advise on design of segregated/tiered data pool architectures aligned to the organization's data classification policy and applicable regulatory requirements, including cross‑tier data movement.
• Recommend FinOps and performance standards, workload and cost management.
• Mentor data engineers, analysts, and AI/ML teams; participate in architecture reviews and contribute to standards.
• Work with information & cyber security, and other teams as needed for compliance to policies and standards.
• Evaluate emerging Databricks capabilities and recommend adoption strategies, including endpoint integrations with third parties as they evolve.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Candidate must have the ability to work with many team members across multiple disciplines.
• The candidate must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q clearance.
• The candidate must have an active Real ID diver's license for badging and onboarding.

Preferred Qualifications

• 7+ years designing, building, and operating Databricks workloads with medallion layer architecture.
• Hands‑on experience with Delta Lake, Unity Catalog, Spark Structured Streaming, Lakeflow (or DLT/Live Tables), Databricks SQL, MLflow, and Mosaic AI Model Serving.
• Strong experience in cloud architecture supporting the platform (VPC/VNet, Security, S3/ADLS, KMS, etc.).
• Proven experience migrating enterprise data workloads from legacy/on prem data warehouse/lake to Databricks.
• Production streaming and CDC experience.
• Depth in security and governance: Unity Catalog policies (ABAC), classification, encryption, access auditing, compliance‑to‑control translation.
• Hands‑on experience designing multi‑tier Databricks architectures driven by data classification requirements.
• Strong Python and SQL, Spark, Notebooks.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Active (or recent) Q clearance is a plus but not required.

Nice to Have

• Active Databricks certifications.
• GenAI and agent systems on Databricks experience.
• Delta Sharing and Databricks Clean Rooms for controlled, governed data exchange across organizational/cross‑tier/system boundaries.
• Familiarity with Oracle EBS and SAP enterprise data.
• Experience with SAP BDC/DataSphere and Databricks integration to SAP BDC, with zero‑copy patterns.
• Lakeflow Designer, Databricks Apps, Genie, Databricks One.
• CI/CD, Infrastructure‑as‑Code (e.g. Terraform) for data platforms.
• Experience in designing, building, supporting BI reporting layers.
• Data Quality and Data Governance experience.
• Prior experience in regulated industries (e.g. utilities, life sciences, government services) and exposure to related frameworks (FERC/NERC, HIPAA, GxP, GDPR, FedRAMP, ITAR, etc.).

Education Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in computer science, engineering, information systems, or related discipline, along with 12 years of experience. Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.
• Certifications are a plus.