Senior Data Architect: AI-Driven Data Foundation Lead

Apple Inc.; Cupertino (CA); On-site; USD 196,500 - 277,600; Full time

Job summary

Apple Inc. is seeking a Senior/Principal Data Architect to own the data architecture vision for Legal Operations. You will design the semantic layer, unified data model, and governance frameworks enabling AI and analytics across global legal systems.

You will lead the Data Management Office, mentor engineers and analysts, and define patterns for data integration, quality, and security while partnering with practice groups to drive adoption and impact across the organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, Information Systems, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• Master's degree preferred
• 10+ years of experience in data architecture, data engineering, or related fields, with at least 4 years in a senior architecture or leadership role
• Deep expertise in enterprise data architecture including data modeling, dimensional modeling, data lake design, and ETL/ELT patterns
• Strong experience with cloud data platforms, particularly Snowflake
• Proficiency in SQL and Python for data engineering, transformation, and automation
• Experience with data integration and transformation tools (dbt, Fivetran, or similar)
• Experience designing and implementing entity resolution, master data management, or data quality solutions
• Proven experience leading and mentoring data teams
• Excellent communication skills — able to translate data architecture concepts for technical and non‑technical audiences

Responsibilities

• Define and own the enterprise data architecture for Legal Operations, including the unified data model, semantic layer, and integration patterns
• Design and implement entity resolution to create master records for key entities across legal systems
• Establish common language, taxonomy, and legal ontology that standardizes terminology across practice groups and systems
• Architect the data lake and integration layer that connects matter management, contracts, eBilling, document management, and other legal systems
• Build the data foundation that enables AI systems to achieve production-level accuracy and analytics to deliver trusted insights
• Establish data quality standards, validation rules, and monitoring to ensure data accuracy and completeness
• Design and implement data governance frameworks including data ownership, access controls, lineage, and compliance
• Partner with Data Stewards embedded in practice groups to drive data quality and adoption of standards
• Lead and mentor the DMO team, including Senior Data Engineer and Data Analysts
• Set technical direction and standards for the team; review designs and implementations

Skills

Data modeling

SQL

Python

Cloud platforms

Snowflake

dbt

Fivetran

Entity resolution

Data governance

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

dbt

Fivetran

dbt Semantic Layer

Cube

AtScale

Neo4j

Job description

Apple Inc. is seeking a Senior/Principal Data Architect to own the data architecture vision for Legal Operations. You will design the semantic layer, unified data model, and governance frameworks enabling AI and analytics across global legal systems.

You will lead the Data Management Office, mentor engineers and analysts, and define patterns for data integration, quality, and security while partnering with practice groups to drive adoption and impact across the organization.