Data Architect

X, bigly labs; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

X, bigly labs in Dis-Chem's high-performance innovation hub is seeking a Data Architect to shape enterprise data architectures that support analytics, ML, and AI initiatives.

You will apply TOGAF and DAMA-DMBOK to establish robust, scalable data platforms, collaborating with engineers, modellers, and business teams to enable secure data exchange and governance across the organisation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Engineering, or related field.
• 6+ years of experience in data architecture, data engineering, or enterprise data management.
• Certification in cloud platform: AWS Certified Data Engineer - Associate (DEA-C01), Azure Data Engineer (DP-203/DP-700), or Databricks Certified Data Engineer.
• Certification or Strong Working Knowledge in TOGAF 10 architecture framework.
• Proven experience designing and governing enterprise data architecture and applying DAMA principles.
• Demonstrated ability to implement modern architectural design and principles in big data environments.
• Experience contributing to scalable data platforms that support data science and AI workloads.
• Familiarity with data privacy regulations (POPIA, GDPR) and compliance frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Design enterprise-wide data architecture using DAMA principles and modern design patterns.
• Input architectural requirements into scalable data platform development with engineers and modellers.
• Ensure proper integration into the data ecosystem with defined data flows and interfaces.
• Collaborate with business and technical teams through solution design sessions and architecture reviews.
• Document architecture decisions, data flows, and standards using version-controlled repositories.

Skills

Data architecture

Data modelling

Metadata management

Data governance

Distributed systems

APIs / ETL/ELT / streaming

Cloud data services

Data integration tools

Data privacy regulations

Big data environments

Education

Bachelor's degree: Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Engineering, or related field

TOGAF 10 architecture framework

DAMA-DMBOK certification

AWS Certified Data Engineer / DEA-C01

Azure Data Engineer / DP-203

Databricks Certified Data Engineer

Azure AI Engineer Associate

AWS Machine Learning Specialty

Tools

Azure Synapse

AWS Redshift

GCP BigQuery

SAP Business Data Cloud

Databricks

Snowflake Airflow

Job description

We are X, bigly labs, Dis-Chem's high-performance innovation hub; a place where bold ideas meet data, design, and radical customer focus to reimagine what healthcare can be.

Our mission is to power the future of healthcare by lowering costs, unlocking new possibilities, and improving access to healthcare for all South Africans. We do this through cutting-edge digital solutions that deliver smarter, more human, and truly patient-focused experiences. Here, your work is not limited to a whiteboard; it becomes real. It drives decisions, shapes experiences, and moves healthcare forward. We are driven by one big question: How do we use data and today's technology to build breakthroughs to better health?

There's only one question left: are you ready to make healthcare smarter, and actually mean it?

To advise, design and manage Data Architectures and their evolution to support strategic insights, decision-making, advanced analytics, and AI initiatives. Data Architect must apply TOGAF and DAMA-DMBOK principles to establish and implement modern and robust data architectures, solutions designs and principles in a well-managed, secure, and fit for purpose approach. This role will provide architectural input into the development of scalable data platforms and enable digital capabilities across the organisation.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR?

• Bachelor's degree: Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Engineering, or related field.
• 6+ years of experience in data architecture, data engineering, or enterprise data management.
• Certification in cloud platform: AWS Certified Data Engineer - Associate (DEA-C01), Azure Data Engineer (DP-203/DP-700), or Databricks Certified Data Engineer.
• Certification or Strong Working Knowledge in TOGAF 10 architecture framework.
• Proven experience designing and governing enterprise data architecture and applying DAMA principles.
• Demonstrated ability to implement modern architectural design and principles in big data environments.
• Experience contributing to or guiding application/system development, procurement, and integration in data ecosystems.
• Strong background in contributing to scalable data platforms that support data science and AI workloads.
• Deep understanding of data modelling, metadata management, data governance, and distributed systems.
• Experience with cloud-native data services (e.g., Azure Synapse, AWS Redshift, GCP BigQuery).
• Familiarity with cloud-native data integration tools (e.g., SAP Business Data Cloud, DataBricks, Snowflake Airflow).
• Familiarity with data privacy regulations (e.g., POPIA, GDPR) and compliance frameworks.
• Certification in DAMA-DMBOK (e.g., CDMP – Certified Data Management Professional).
• Certification in Azure AI Engineer Associate, AWS Machine Learning Specialty.
• Experience in healthcare, retail, or insurance data ecosystems.

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING?

• Design enterprise-wide data architecture using DAMA principles and modern design patterns to ensure scalability, flexibility, and alignment with business needs.
• Input architectural requirements into scalable data platform development by collaborating with engineers and modellers to ensure the platform supports analytics, ML, and AI use cases.
• Ensure proper integration of new solution into the data ecosystem by defining data flows, interfaces, and interoperability standards to ensure seamless data exchange and operational efficiency.
• Collaborate with business and technical teams through solution design sessions, architecture reviews, workshops, and to align data strategy with organisational goals.
• Document architecture decisions, data flows, and standards using version-controlled repositories and collaborative platforms to support transparency and maintainability.

WHO YOU ARE?

• Ability to design and maintain scalable, secure, and flexible data architectures aligned with business strategy and IT standards.
• Strong capability in designing data flows and integration patterns across heterogeneous systems using APIs, ETL/ELT, and streaming technologies.
• Takes ownership of architectural decisions, their outcomes and align with enterprise architecture and business expectations.
• Build technical consensus and influence decision-making across business, IT, and data teams.
• Ensures that data architecture aligns with application, infrastructure, and security architectures.
• Navigate ambiguity with confidence and composure.

Our values show up in how we think, build, and make choices that make an impact. We are building a culture that drives progress; one that fixes friction, chases what changes, and owns the outcome. We design with tomorrow in mind, ask sharper questions, and answer them with care, urgency, and systems that scale.

Think you've got energy, curiosity, and guts? Come hold the space, make it matter, and own a breakthrough.