Senior Data Architect

W Talent; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

W Talent is looking for a hands-on Data Architect in Philadelphia, PA, to design and build a modern, Azure-focused data platform. This role involves integrating multiple data sources, developing optimized data pipelines, and leading data modeling while ensuring quality and governance. Candidates should have a proven track record with cloud platforms, preferably Azure, and experience with tools like Databricks and Azure Data Factory. This opportunity allows for significant influence on architecture and data strategy within a lean high-impact team.

Qualifications

• Proven track record building modern cloud data platforms, preferably Azure.
• Experience with Databricks, Azure Data Factory, Synapse, or similar tools.
• Solid data modelling experience (dimensional / relational).
• Ability to balance architecture with pragmatism and avoid over-engineering.
• Experience in financial services or regulated environments is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design and build a modern data platform focused on Azure.
• Bring together multiple data sources into a single source of truth.
• Develop and optimise data pipelines for ingestion, transformation, and orchestration.
• Lead data modelling activities across the platform.
• Embed data quality, governance, and controls into architecture.
• Enable self-service analytics and BI for stakeholders.

Skills

Building modern cloud data platforms

Experience with Databricks

Solid data modelling experience

Ability to balance good architecture with pragmatism

Experience in financial services

Tools

Azure Data Factory

Azure Synapse

Job description

We’re partnering with a financial services organisation undertaking a major data transformation initiative. They are building a modern, cloud-based data platform to unify data across the business and enable analytics, reporting, and future AI capabilities.

This is a hands-on Data Architect role - ideal for someone who enjoys both designing architecture and being close to the build within a lean, high-impact team.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Design and build a modern data platform (Azure-focused – Databricks, ADF, Synapse, etc.)
• Bring together multiple data sources (e.g. CRM, product, operational systems) into a single source of truth
• Develop and optimise data pipelines (ingestion, transformation, orchestration)
• Lead data modelling (logical, physical, dimensional) across the platform
• Embed data quality, governance, and controls into architecture and pipelines
• Enable self-service analytics and BI for business stakeholders
• Work closely with leadership (including the CDO) to translate business needs into practical, scalable solutions

What We’re Looking For

• Proven track record building modern cloud data platforms (Azure preferred)
• Experience with Databricks, Azure Data Factory, Synapse, or similar tools
• Solid data modelling experience (dimensional / relational)
• Ability to balance good architecture with pragmatism (avoid over-engineering)
• Experience in financial services or regulated environments is a plus

This is a rare opportunity to step into a high-impact, build-focused role where you’ll have genuine ownership of shaping a modern data platform from the ground up. You’ll be working in a lean environment, meaning your decisions will directly influence architecture, tooling, and how data is used across the business. Rather than maintaining legacy systems, this role is about creating something scalable and future-proof, with strong exposure to senior leadership and the chance to play a key role in the organisation’s broader data strategy.