Enterprise Data Architect

University of California - Riverside; California; On-site; USD 114,300 - 220,900; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious university is seeking a Data Architect in California to lead the design of its enterprise data ecosystem. This role focuses on creating comprehensive data models, ensuring data structures are interoperable and scalable, and preparing datasets for AI applications. With significant involvement in cloud transformation, the Data Architect will collaborate cross-functionally to uphold data integrity and governance. The position allows for predominantly remote work, with occasional campus visits required. Competitive salary offered up to $160,000 annually.

Qualifications

• Proficient in creating logical and physical data models.
• Experience with cloud-native data architecture.
• Strong knowledge of data warehousing.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-level technical leadership for data ecosystem.
• Ensure data structures support advanced machine learning.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to align data strategy.

Skills

Architecting clean datasets

Data governance

AI-readiness

Interoperability and Integrity

Job description

The Data Architect provides high-level technical leadership and strategic design for the University's enterprise data ecosystem. This role is responsible for the creation of comprehensive logical and physical data models that serve as the authoritative blueprints for the University's Information Technology Services (ITS) division, mainly for analytical and AI purposes. Operating at the intersection of transactional software development and analytical systems, the Data Architect ensures that all data structures are designed for maximum interoperability, integrity, and scalability. This position is central to the University's transition toward a cloud-native data architecture, with our data warehouse being built cloud-native and a current initiative to move all on-premise applications to the cloud. The role functions as a critical consultant to both Software Development and Data Engineering teams, establishing the standards that govern the lifecycle of data across the institution. A primary objective of this position is to ensure AI-readiness by architecting clean, well-governed, and highly structured datasets that can support advanced machine learning and large language model (LLM) implementations. The Data Architect is expected to proactively integrate into development workflows to provide architectural oversight, ensuring that new applications and enhancements align with the University's long-term data strategy. Our ITS team operates in an "Agent First" mindset. This position will be involved in thought-leadership on how agents can support architecture decisions and ensure standards are met. This position does not focus on hardware or technology procurement but rather on the structural logic and semantic consistency required to maintain a unified institutional "Source of Truth."

This position is classified as predominantly remote with occasional visits to campus as needed. Working hours will be based on Pacific Standard Time (PST).

The full salary range for the Data Architect is $114,300 - $220,900 annually. However, the pay scale for this position is up to $160,000 annually. We base salary offers on a variety of considerations, such as education, licensure and certifications, experience, and other business and organizational needs.

Applicants must have current work authorization when accepting a UCR staff position. Currently, UCR is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa for staff.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.