OA-Data Platform Architect

My3Tech; Harrisburg (Dauphin County); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

State of PA (COPA) is seeking an OA-Data Platform Architect to lead the design and delivery of an enterprise cloud data platform. You will build reusable data products and shared services that enable agencies to modernize and deliver digital services.

The role emphasizes security, DevSecOps, IAM, and multi-tenant platforms, with collaboration across cloud engineering, CISO, and GRC teams to establish patterns and guardrails.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field.
• 10+ years building large-scale cloud data platforms.
• 7+ years in modern data architecture, platform engineering, and cloud infra.
• 5+ years designing enterprise security controls for cloud data platforms (IAM, RBAC).
• Proven experience with Cloud Infrastructure as Code (Terraform or equivalent).
• Experience with Snowflake, Databricks, AWS, Azure; containerized apps.
• Hands-on with DevSecOps and shift-left security practices.
• Collaborates with Cloud Eng, CISO, and GRC to integrate security ownership.

Responsibilities

• Define target architecture for an enterprise data platform and a multi-year roadmap.
• Build MVP, mature the cloud data platform, and set engineering standards.
• Design secure, multi-tenant environments with data co-mingling considerations.
• Partner with CISO teams for IAM, encryption, and audit capabilities.
• Develop enterprise platform services and onboarding patterns for agencies.
• Lead through influence, promoting API-first and product-based information sharing.

Skills

Cloud data platforms

Modern data architecture

Platform engineering

DevSecOps

Security controls

Terraform

Snowflake

Databricks

AWS

Azure

Enterprise data services

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/IS

Tools

Snowflake

Databricks

AWS

Azure

Docker

Terraform

Job description

Job Title: OA-Data Platform Architect (Job ID: 809076)

Client: State of PA (COPA)
Employment Type: Contract
Work Location: Hybrid - One day weekly (Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday) in-office at 607 South Drive, Forum Building 5th floor, Harrisburg, PA.
Interview Process: Screening with hiring manager -> Virtual interview with panel -> Final in-person interview at Harrisburg.

I. Background & Scope of Services

The State of PA (COPA) is establishing a new CDAI Office to build enterprise data capabilities that will enable every agency to deliver improved digital services, data analytics, and AI solutions.

Under the direction of the Chief Data and AI Officer, this technical leadership role will balance technology strategy with practical execution. The Data Platform Architect will design, engineer, and deliver reusable cloud-based data products and shared services that enable agencies to securely develop digital services. This position establishes engineering practices, implementation standards, automation, and shared platform services that support enterprise modernization while enabling agencies to consume standardized capabilities rather than developing isolated, agency-specific solutions.

II. Key Responsibilities

• Enterprise Platform Architecture: Define the target architecture for an enterprise data platform. Build a multi-year roadmap aligned to enterprise modernization initiatives, and evaluate emerging tech while maintaining architectural consistency.


• Platform Engineering: Build an MVP and mature the cloud data platform over time. Set engineering standards and operational guardrails. Design secure multi-tenant environments capable of serving multiple agencies with data co-mingling considerations.


• Security & Compliance: Partner with CISO teams to implement Identity and Access Management (IAM), encryption, and audit capabilities.


• Enterprise Enablement: Design and build platform services (rather than agency-specific implementations). Develop onboarding patterns for agencies adopting enterprise products/services. Develop data products identified by the Product team and build AI-ready infrastructure.


• Leadership & Collaboration: Develop engineering best practices. Partner with cloud, integration, and data teams to implement enterprise data products. Promote API-first and product-based approaches to information sharing, leading through influence across enterprise tech teams.

III. Candidate Skills and Qualifications

Required Experience:

• 10+ Years: Experience building large-scale cloud data platforms.


• 7+ Years: Hands-on experience in modern data architecture, platform engineering, and cloud infrastructure.


• 5+ Years: Experience designing and implementing enterprise security controls for cloud data platforms, including IAM, RBAC, etc.


• Required: Proven experience building and operating Cloud Infrastructure as Code (Terraform or equivalent).


• Required: Data Platform & Services experience, including platforms such as Snowflake, Databricks, AWS, Azure, and containerized applications.


• Required: Hands-on experience implementing modern DevSecOps practices and championing a shift-left approach to security.


• Required: Experience partnering with Cloud Engineering, CISO, and GRC teams to integrate security controls into data platforms while maintaining clear ownership boundaries.

Education & Soft Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Systems Programming, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.


• Ability to effectively communicate technology concepts to a non-technical audience.


• Capable of building from the ground up and thinking in terms of patterns and reusable capabilities.


• Proven track record working at the enterprise level for data platforms supporting multiple teams across the company.


• Ability to lead through influence rather than relying on direct reports.