Lead Solution Architect

Wise Skulls; Minneapolis (MN); Hybrid; USD 170,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Wise Skulls is seeking an experienced Lead Solution Architect to drive cloud modernization and data transformation for Banking & Financial Services in Minneapolis. This hybrid role requires deep AWS and Databricks expertise and leadership across Data Engineering, Analytics, DevOps, and Platform teams.

You will define enterprise cloud strategies, design scalable architectures, and guide stakeholder discussions to deliver secure, modern data solutions that meet regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• 12–15 years of IT experience with strong expertise in Enterprise Solution Architecture and Cloud Data Platforms.
• 5+ years of hands‑on AWS Solution Architecture experience.
• 3+ years of hands‑on Databricks experience (Spark, Delta Lake, Unity Catalog, MLflow).
• Strong programming skills in Python, SQL, and PySpark.
• Hands‑on experience with Terraform, CloudFormation, GitOps, and CI/CD automation.
• Strong understanding of Data Modeling, Data Governance, Metadata Management, and Enterprise Security frameworks.
• Experience with Cloud Networking, IAM, Encryption, VPCs, and security best practices (NIST, CIS).
• Banking & Financial Services domain experience is mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture, design, and implementation of enterprise-grade cloud and data solutions using AWS and Databricks.
• Design modern Databricks Lakehouse architectures leveraging Delta Lake, Unity Catalog, Spark optimization, governance, and MLOps best practices.
• Architect scalable ETL/ELT pipelines, real-time streaming solutions, and reusable enterprise data integration frameworks.
• Develop High-Level Designs (HLDs), Low-Level Designs (LLDs), data flow diagrams, deployment architectures, and security reference models.
• Design secure, scalable, reliable, and cost-optimized cloud architectures aligned with enterprise standards and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders, product teams, and engineering teams to define technology roadmaps and solution strategies.
• Lead end-to-end solution delivery while providing technical guidance to Data Engineering, Analytics, DevOps, and Platform teams.
• Establish enterprise standards for data governance, metadata management, CI/CD, infrastructure automation, and cloud security.
• Evaluate emerging cloud technologies and recommend modern architecture patterns to improve scalability, resilience, and operational efficiency.
• Act as the primary technical SME during client engagements, architecture workshops, executive presentations, and stakeholder discussions.

Skills

Enterprise Architecture

AWS

Databricks

Python

SQL

PySpark

Data Governance

Metadata Management

Data Modeling

IAM

Cloud Networking

Security Frameworks

Banking Domain

Tools

Terraform

CloudFormation

GitOps

CI/CD

Job description

Hiring: Lead Solution Architect | Minneapolis, MN | Hybrid

We’re looking for an experienced Lead Solution Architect with strong expertise in AWS, Databricks, enterprise cloud architecture, and data engineering to lead large-scale cloud modernization and data transformation initiatives within the Banking & Financial Services domain.

Location: Minneapolis, MN (Hybrid)

Duration: Long-Term

Experience: 12–15 Years

Key Responsibilities & Skills:

• Lead the architecture, design, and implementation of enterprise-grade cloud and data solutions using AWS and Databricks


• Design modern Databricks Lakehouse architectures leveraging Delta Lake, Unity Catalog, Spark optimization, governance, and MLOps best practices


• Architect scalable ETL/ELT pipelines, real-time streaming solutions, and reusable enterprise data integration frameworks


• Develop High-Level Designs (HLDs), Low-Level Designs (LLDs), data flow diagrams, deployment architectures, and security reference models


• Design secure, scalable, reliable, and cost-optimized cloud architectures aligned with enterprise standards and regulatory requirements


• Collaborate with business stakeholders, product teams, and engineering teams to define technology roadmaps and solution strategies


• Lead end-to-end solution delivery while providing technical guidance to Data Engineering, Analytics, DevOps, and Platform teams


• Establish enterprise standards for data governance, metadata management, CI/CD, infrastructure automation, and cloud security


• Evaluate emerging cloud technologies and recommend modern architecture patterns to improve scalability, resilience, and operational efficiency


• Act as the primary technical SME during client engagements, architecture workshops, executive presentations, and stakeholder discussions

Mandatory Skills:

• 12–15 years of IT experience with strong expertise in Enterprise Solution Architecture and Cloud Data Platforms


• 5+ years of hands‑on AWS Solution Architecture experience


• 3+ years of hands‑on Databricks experience (Spark, Delta Lake, Unity Catalog, MLflow)


• Strong expertise in AWS services including EC2, S3, Glue, Lambda, Kinesis, IAM, Redshift, and EMR


• Strong programming skills in Python, SQL, and PySpark


• Experience designing ETL/ELT pipelines and distributed data processing solutions


• Hands‑on experience with Terraform, CloudFormation, GitOps, and CI/CD automation


• Strong understanding of Data Modeling, Data Governance, Metadata Management, and Enterprise Security frameworks


• Experience with Cloud Networking, IAM, Encryption, VPCs, and security best practices (NIST, CIS)


• Banking & Financial Services domain experience is mandatory

What We’re Looking For:

A highly skilled Lead Solution Architect who can define enterprise cloud strategy, architect scalable AWS and Databricks solutions, and lead engineering teams through complex cloud transformation initiatives. The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in cloud architecture, enterprise data platforms, governance, and technical leadership while partnering closely with business stakeholders to deliver secure, scalable, and modern data solutions.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with Azure cloud services including Azure Databricks, Azure Data Factory (ADF), Azure Data Lake Storage (ADLS), Synapse Analytics, and Azure DevOps


• Experience designing hybrid cloud architectures across AWS and Azure


• Strong knowledge of Spark optimization, Lakehouse architecture, and MLOps best practices


• Experience implementing enterprise-scale data governance and metadata management solutions


• Experience working in Agile/Scrum delivery environments and leading globally distributed engineering teams