Remote Cloud Data Architect — Modern Data Platform Lead

Data Ideology

Pittsburgh (Allegheny County)

On-site

USD 140,000 - 210,000

Full time

14 days+

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Job summary

Data Ideology is seeking a skilled Cloud Data Architect to lead modern data modernization initiatives and design scalable cloud data platforms. You will own architecture decisions for enterprise data ecosystems and collaborate with stakeholders across ERP, finance, and operations.

Ideal candidates will have 8+ years in data architecture, hands-on experience with Snowflake, Azure, AWS, and Databricks, and a strong background in Lakehouse frameworks, semantic data models, and data governance.

Qualifications

8+ years of experience in data architecture, data modeling, or cloud data engineering with demonstrated ownership of architecture decisions.
Hands-on experience designing and implementing cloud data solutions using Snowflake, Azure, AWS, and/or Databricks.
Deep understanding of distributed systems, data architecture, and modern cloud infrastructure.
Experience with Lakehouse architecture and platforms (Delta Lake, Apache Iceberg, Apache Hudi).
Demonstrated success designing semantic data models for reporting and analytics at scale.
Experience leading or supporting large-scale data migrations, from discovery through cutover, and building systems from concept through production.
Experience supporting low-latency or high-volume data environments is highly desirable.
Strong grounding in modern data warehousing, ELT/ETL, and cloud architecture best practices.
Proven ability to navigate ambiguity, influence technical direction, and drive clarity across cross-functional teams, balancing strategic vision with hands-on execution.
Excellent communication, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.

Responsibilities

Own the architecture for cloud-native data platforms, including Lakehouse designs (Delta Lake, Iceberg, Databricks, or Microsoft Fabric) that support reporting, analytics, and BI.
Design scalable data models supporting enterprise platforms, including ERP, financial, operational, and project management systems.
Lead modernization initiatives for legacy data environments, including migration strategy, data mapping/transformation, reconciliation, and cutover to production.
Build frameworks for real-time and near real-time data ingestion and processing, alongside batch pipelines (ELT/ETL).
Drive decisions across storage, orchestration, data quality, reliability, and performance.
Define semantic data models that enable self-service analytics and consistent reporting, in coordination with data governance, metadata management, and master data management (MDM) standards.
Partner with business and technical stakeholders across functional areas to prioritize requirements and translate them into architectural decisions.
Support secure, governed data access in coordination with Identity and Access Management (IAM) teams.
Evaluate emerging technologies, including AI, and identify opportunities to apply them within the data ecosystem; help shape the long-term technical roadmap.
Mentor junior architects and data management staff, and translate complex technical concepts into clear, business-friendly language for technical and non-technical audiences alike.