Director, Databricks Platform Architect - Unity Catalog Enablement

Infinitive; McLean, Northern (VA, KY); Ibrido; USD 170.000 - 215.000; Tempo pieno

Descrizione del lavoro

Infinitive is seeking a Director, Databricks Platform Architect to define a unified Databricks-based data platform and enable Unity Catalog governance across the enterprise. You will shape enterprise design standards, drive cost-efficient adoption, and ensure observability across environments.

The role leads platform vision, API design, data modeling, and collaboration with engineering, risk, and business units to deliver scalable data solutions while mentoring teams on best practices.

Competenze

• 8+ years in data architecture or platform engineering
• Deep hands-on Databricks, Delta Lake, Spark, and Lakehouse knowledge
• Unity Catalog for enterprise governance, metadata management, and access control
• Proficiency in Python (PySpark) and SQL; cloud platforms (AWS/Azure/GCP)
• API architecture expertise (REST, GraphQL, OpenAPI) with security and observability
• Strong communication and influencing skills across executive and risk audiences

Mansioni

• Define end-to-end architecture for a Databricks-based data platform with scalability, security and cost efficiency
• Design a self-service platform layer using Unity Catalog for data discovery, access, and observability
• Establish reference patterns to enable enterprise-wide reuse and standardization
• Lead design and implementation of Unity Catalog as central governance plane and cross-environment lineage
• Implement metadata, RBAC/ABAC and masking to meet regulatory requirements
• Develop observability for compute, storage, and catalog operations and cost optimization
• Architect RESTful/GraphQL APIs for secure data access and metadata integration
• Guide Lakehouse-aligned data models and ETL/ELT architectures integrated with Unity Catalog
• Collaborate with engineering, data science, and risk teams to align platform with business outcomes
• Mentor engineers on Databricks and best practices; contribute to architecture communities

Conoscenze

Databricks expertise

Unity Catalog mastery

Python (PySpark) & SQL

API architecture (REST/GraphQL/OpenAPI

Data governance & regulatory knowledge

Communication & influence

Formazione

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in CS/Engineering

Strumenti

Terraform

Cloud IaC frameworks

MLflow

Kafka

Delta Lake

Descrizione del lavoro

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Director, Databricks Platform Architect - Unity Catalog Enablement

About Infinitive

Infinitive is a data & AI consultancy that enables global brands to deliver results through insights, innovation, and efficiency. We possess deep industry and technology expertise to drive and sustain adoption of new capabilities. We match our people and personalities to our clients' culture while bringing the right mix of talent and skills to enable high return on investment.

Infinitive has been named “Best Small Firms to Work For” by Consulting Magazine eight times, and has also been named a Washington Post Top Workplace, Washington Business Journal Best Places to Work, and Virginia Business Best Places to Work.

Role Overview

This architect will define and shape a unified platform service that enables scalable, governed, and cost-efficient data access across the bank. The ideal candidate will influence enterprise design standards and technical adoption by making Databricks Unity Catalog the effortless, observable, and default foundation for data integration, governance, and analytics across all business domains.

Key Responsibilities

Platform Vision & Architecture

• Define and champion the end-to-end architecture for the bank’s Databricks-based data platform, ensuring scalability, security, cost efficiency, and ease of adoption.
• Design a self-service platform layer that leverages Databricks Unity Catalog to deliver seamless data discovery, access, and observability across all environments.
• Establish architectural patterns and reference implementations that encourage enterprise-wide reuse and standardization.

Unity Catalog Strategy & Enablement

• Lead the design and implementation of Databricks Unity Catalog as the central governance plane—defining catalog hierarchies, fine-grained access controls, and cross-environment lineage.
• Evaluate and implement metadata, RBAC/ABAC, and data masking capabilities to meet regulatory and compliance requirements (e.g., GLBA, GDPR, HIPAA).
• Define the template architecture that allows Unity Catalog to operate as a scalable and cost-effective shared service across lines of business.

Scalability, Cost, and Observability

• Engineer platform capabilities that provide deep visibility into compute, storage, and catalog operations through integrated observability, monitoring, and FinOps practices.
• Develop resource optimization strategies to balance performance and cost while maintaining compliance and SLAs.
• Establish metrics, dashboards, and alerts to ensure the platform scales predictably under enterprise workloads.

API and Integration Design

• Architect streamlined RESTful/GraphQL APIs for secure, governed data access and metadata integration.
• Ensure interoperability with enterprise systems, APIs, and external data consumers using modern, consistent, and documented integration patterns.

Data Modeling & Pipeline Strategy

• Guide teams in building Lakehouse-aligned data models that maximize reuse and governance.
• Oversee design of ETL/ELT architectures (Spark, PySpark, SQL) that integrate seamlessly with Unity Catalog for lineage and access tracking.

Collaboration & Influence

• Partner with engineering, data science, and risk teams to align platform design with business outcomes and regulatory expectations.
• Influence architecture steering committees and platform engineering groups to adopt the Databricks foundation as a managed, enterprise-wide service.
• Promote a culture of easy adoption through clear design patterns, documentation, and working sessions.

Technical Leadership & Mentorship

• Mentor engineers and architects on Databricks, Unity Catalog, and best practices for cost, scale, and observability.
• Contribute to internal architecture communities and upskill teams across multiple domains.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Education:Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field.
• Experience:8+ years in data architecture or platform engineering, including experience designing enterprise-scale, distributed data environments.
• Databricks Expertise:Deep hands-on knowledge of Databricks, Delta Lake, Apache Spark, and Lakehouse principles.
• Unity Catalog Mastery:Demonstrated success architecting and operationalizing Databricks Unity Catalog for enterprise governance, metadata management, and access control.
• Programming & Data:Advanced proficiency in Python (PySpark)andSQL; experience with cloud data platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP).
• API Engineering:Strong background inAPI architecture (REST, GraphQL, OpenAPI)and applying best-in-class security and observability.
• Governance Knowledge:Expert-level understanding of data governance frameworks, data quality management, and regulatory compliance.
• Soft Skills:Outstanding communication and influence skills, with ability to advocate for design principles across executive, technical, and risk audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience deploying Databricks and cloud infrastructure using Terraform or IaC frameworks.
• Familiarity withMLflowand model governance integration.
• Relevant certifications (Databricks Certified Data Engineer,AWS/Azure/GCP Architect).
• Experience withreal-time data streaming technologies (Kafka, Structured Streaming).

Infinitive is required by law in some jurisdictions to include a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role. The determination of this range includes various factors not limited to skill set, level, experience, relevant training, and licensure and certifications. Compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range for this role in the U.S. is $170,000.00 - $215,000.00.

Infinitive is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.