Data and Integration Architect

Centrax Group; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Travel to client sites

Competitive remuneration

Job summary

Centrax Digital in Sandton is seeking an experienced AI data integration architect to own the data and integration layer of CAIF-5 engagements. You will map landscapes, design pipelines between Zoho, finance, HR, and third-party platforms, and ensure data readiness and POPIA compliance.

You will lead data modeling, ingestion pipelines and data flows for analytics, working within the Ground pillar of CAIF-5 and collaborating with Zoho partners as needed.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in data engineering, integration or data architecture with 3+ years as architect/lead.
• Integrations designed across at least three business systems.
• Data readiness assessments for analytics/AI initiatives.
• POPIA data handling compliance or equivalent privacy regime.
• A cloud data or integration certification is preferred; Zoho experience is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Own the data and integration layer of CAIF-5 engagements.
• Assess client data readiness, map systems landscapes and APIs.
• Design integrations between Zoho apps, finance, HR and project systems.
• Define data models, master data and identifier mapping.
• Specify ingestion/knowledge pipelines for documents, SOPs and data.
• Outline data flows for management intelligence using Zoho Analytics or client platforms.
• Ensure POPIA compliance in every data flow; collaborate with Zoho partners as needed.

Skills

Data engineering

Data architecture

Technical leadership

Integration design

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering or a related field

Tools

Zoho certification

Job description

You design how data, knowledge and systems connect, so that the AI solutions Centrax Digital delivers have reliable, governed information to work from.

ABOUT CENTRAX DIGITAL

Centrax Digital is an AI-first consulting and digital engineering firm operating from Bryanston, Sandton and Grand Prairie, Texas. We are a Level 1 B-BBEE, black woman-owned Advanced Zoho Partner. Our work spans AI and advisory, platforms, cloud and security, and digital engineering, delivered on our own published methodology. Because Innovation Matters.

THE ROLE

To own the data and integration layer of AI engagements on CAIF-5, the Centrax AI delivery framework. You assess client data and knowledge readiness, design the integration and data flows between Zoho, business systems and third-party platforms, and specify the pipelines AI solutions depend on, working within the Ground pillar of CAIF-5.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Assess data and knowledge readiness: sources, quality, ownership, accessibility and suitability for retrieval and agent use, tested against real data samples.
• Map client systems landscapes, including APIs, access models and integration options.
• Design integration between Zoho applications, finance, HR and project systems, advertising platforms and AI components.
• Design data models, master data and client identifier mapping across systems.
• Specify ingestion and knowledge pipelines for documents, SOPs, playbooks and operational data.
• Design data flows for management intelligence, using Zoho Analytics or the client's data platform where appropriate.
• Build POPIA requirements into every data flow.
• Work with a client's appointed Zoho partner where Centrax is not the implementation partner.

WHAT YOU NEED

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering or a related field.
• Minimum 7 years' experience in data engineering, integration or data architecture, including at least 3 years as an architect or technical lead.
• Integrations designed across at least three business systems in one environment.
• Data readiness or data quality assessments for analytics or AI initiatives.
• Data handling designed to meet POPIA or an equivalent privacy regime.
• A cloud data or integration certification is preferred. Zoho certification, or experience with Zoho or advertising platform data, is an advantage.

WHERE THE BOUNDARIES SIT

The overall AI solution design sits with the AI Solutions Architect and the build with the AI Engineers. AI strategy and client governance sit with the AI Strategy Consultant.

HOW THIS ROLE EVOLVES

This role joins the AI Consulting Practice alongside the AI Engineer, AI Solutions Architect and Lead / Principal AI Strategy Consultant roles. Progression runs through Senior Data and Integration Architect to Principal Data Architect, with a path to AI Practice Lead.

WORKING ARRANGEMENTS

Standard working hours of 08:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday, with flexibility expected around integration testing and deployment windows. Hybrid working in line with company policy. Client site work and occasional travel may apply. Standard 21 days annual leave and BCEA leave entitlements apply.

REMUNERATION

Market related, commensurate with experience.

EMPLOYMENT EQUITY AND POPIA

Centrax Digital is an equal opportunity employer. Appointments are made in line with the Employment Equity Act and the company's employment equity plan, and preference may be given to suitably qualified candidates from designated groups.

By applying, you consent to the processing of your personal information for recruitment purposes in accordance with POPIA.

Applications close on the target date shown on this listing.

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted; if you have not heard from us within four weeks of the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful.