Principal Data Architect (Remote)

CareFirst, Inc.; Baltimore (MD); Remote; USD 152,000 - 272,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare organization is seeking a Principal Data Architect to design and implement enterprise data architecture. The role involves driving data strategy, ensuring compliance, and leading modernization initiatives in a complex environment. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in data architecture and a strong background in healthcare data standards.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

401k contribution programs

Qualifications

• 10 years experience in Architecture Domain.
• Proven experience designing large-scale data architecture systems.
• Expertise in cloud-native data architecture and data integration.

Responsibilities

• Drive enterprise data architecture strategy and build scalable data platforms.
• Lead data platform modernization initiatives with cloud technologies.
• Ensure data quality and compliance through governance policies.

Skills

Leadership

Data Governance

Data Modeling

Problem Solving

Analytical Skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science

Advanced Degree (Preferred)

Tools

Azure

AWS

GCP

Snowflake

Kafka

PowerBI

MicroStrategy

Tableau

Job description

PURPOSE:
The Principal Data Architect will lead the design and implementation of enterprise data architecture across strategic initiatives. As a key leader in the organization, you will leverage your expertise in architecture, governance, integration, and analytics to enable data-driven decisions and regulatory compliance in a highly complex healthcare environment. This role requires strong leadership skills, technical expertise, and strategic thinking as it involves collaboration with cross-functional teams to ensure the integrity, scalability, and performance of our data platforms and analytics ecosystems. You will be responsible for the development of data models, data integration strategies, and data governance policies to implement industry best practices and advance the organizations modernization journey consistent with the enterprise data strategy.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Architecture and Design: Drive the enterprise data architecture strategy to build a versatile, scalable, and secure data platform in support of the organizations data needs. Establish data models and architecture using modernized data implementations of lakes, warehouses, and cloud-based systems. Develop strategies for storage, integration, and retrieval of structured and unstructured data. Develop and maintain architecture design documents, use-case driven designs, and future-state roadmaps. Consistently drive architecture reviews, identify gaps, and recommend design improvements.
• Leadership and Innovation: Provide leadership and architectural oversight from intake to delivery with guidance on appropriate technologies and tools to enable strategic decision-making. Lead data platform modernization initiatives utilizing modern data technologies, including cloud platforms (e.g., Azure, AWS, GCP), data fabric, real-time data streaming, and data virtualization. Provide technical leadership and mentorship to data engineers, data modelers, and analysts. Stay updated on industry trends and emerging technologies for cloud computing, analytics, and AI.
• Data Governance and Security: Ensure data quality, consistency, and regulatory compliance through the implementation of robust data governance policies and standards, metadata management, and master data management.Collaborate with security and compliance teams to ensure data security, privacy, and regulatory requirements are met. Implement robust data security frameworks, including data encryption, data masking, and secure access controls.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Partner with business and IT stakeholders to understand and translate requirements into scalable and efficient data solutions. Collaborate with stakeholders to identify cost-reduction opportunities through optimization and reduction of technical debt. Facilitate communication between cross-functional teams and ensure application of data architecture solutions to empower business users to derive actionable insights.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education Level: Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field OR in lieu of a Bachelor's degree, an additional 4 years of relevant work experience is required in addition to the required work experience.

Experience: 10 years Experience in Architecture Domain.

Preferred Qualifications: Advanced degree.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

• Proven experience (8+ years) designing, developing, and managing complex, large-scale data architecture systems.
• Expertise in data modeling (conceptual, logical, physical), metadata tools, and architecture frameworks (e.g., TOGAF) consisting of cloud-native data architecture, API-based data integration, ELT/ETL, batch and real-time data processing.
• Experience in enterprise tools (DevSecOps, DataOps), agile methodologies, and product-driven approaches focused on rapid development. Experience in orchestration tools (e.g., Airflow), CI/CD pipelines, and DevOps practices a plus.
• Experience in data engineering working in modern data platforms (e.g., Python, Spark, BigQuery), SQL/NoSQL databases, cloud databases (Snowflake preferred), and data streaming technologies (e.g., Kafka).
• Strong knowledge of data architecture frameworks such as Data Fabric, Data Mesh, and Lambda Architecture.
• Strong knowledge of data governance frameworks, data cataloging, and master data management.
• Strong knowledge of security frameworks (authentication/tokenization, encryption, access controls) and compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Strong knowledge in analytics and BI tools (e.g., PowerBI, MicroStrategy, Tableau).
• Knowledge of healthcare data standards (e.g., HL7, FHIR, X12) and regulatory requirements (HIPAA, CMS, NCQA).
• Knowledge of value-based care, population health, care management, quality reporting (HEDIS, STARS), risk adjustment, and regulatory compliance (HIPAA, CMS).
• Knowledge of Salesforce and Data Cloud integration a plus.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate business requirements into technical solutions.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills with the ability to foster collaboration towards a data-driven culture across technical and business teams.

Licenses/Certifications:
Certified System Architect Upon Hire Preferred. Certifications in cloud (AWS/Azure/Snowflake) or data architecture (CDMP, TOGAF).

Salary Range: $152,080 - $271,843

Salary Range Disclaimer

The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the work is being performed. This compensation range is specific and considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilites of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, internal peer equity, and market and business consideration. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at the top of the range, as compensation decisions depend on each case's facts and circumstances, including but not limited to experience, internal equity, and location. In addition to your compensation, CareFirst offers a comprehensive benefits package, various incentive programs/plans, and 401k contribution programs/plans (all benefits/incentives are subject to eligibility requirements).

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield is an Equal Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of theCompany to provide equal employment opportunities to allqualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

Note: The incumbent is required to immediately disclose any debarment, exclusion, or other event that makes him/her ineligible to perform work directly or indirectly on Federal health care programs.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The associate is primarily seated while performing the duties of the position. Occasional walking or standing is required. The hands are regularly used to write, type, key and handle or feel small controls and objects. The associate must frequently talk and hear. Weights up to 25 pounds are occasionally lifted.

Sponsorship in US

Must be eligible to work in the U.S. without Sponsorship.

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Serving Maryland, the District of Columbia, and portions of Virginia, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield is the shared business name of CareFirst of Maryland, Inc. and Group Hospitalization and Medical Services, Inc. CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Medicare Advantage is the shared business name of CareFirst Advantage, Inc., CareFirst Advantage PPO, Inc. and CareFirst Advantage DSNP, Inc. CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Community Health Plan Maryland is the business name of CareFirst Community Partners, Inc. In the District of Columbia and Maryland, CareFirst MedPlus is the business name of First Care, Inc. In Virginia, CareFirst MedPlus is the business name of First Care, Inc. of Maryland (used in VA by: First Care, Inc.). CareFirst of Maryland, Inc., Group Hospitalization and Medical Services, Inc., CareFirst Advantage, Inc., CareFirst Advantage PPO, Inc., CareFirst Advantage DSNP, Inc., CareFirst Community Partners, Inc., CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Community Health Plan District of Columbia, CareFirst BlueChoice, Inc., First Care, Inc., and The Dental Network, Inc. are independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. BLUE CROSS, BLUE SHIELD and the Cross and Shield Symbols are registered service marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans.

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield is an Equal Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of the Company to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or generic information.

Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. To comply with this law, CareFirst must collect information regarding an employee’s identity and employment eligibility and document that information on a document referred to as Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, no later than three business days from when the employee begins work for pay. If you are hired, you will be required to provide certain information on the form necessary to establish your identity and eligibility to work in the United States and certain required supporting documents.

If you experience any technical difficulties during this process, please send an email detailing the specific problem you are having to [emailprotected] and we will respond as soon as possible.

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c) If you believe that you have experienced discrimination, contact OFCCP at 800-397-6251 (TTY 877-889-5627 ) or www.dol.gov/ofccp .