Data Architect (8 Months Contract)

ATS Client; Pretoria; On-site; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

ATS Client is seeking a Data Architect with 8–10 years of experience to lead the design and optimization of enterprise data platforms. You will shape a modern architecture using Microsoft Fabric, Azure Data Lake, Synapse, Databricks and Power BI, and drive medallion architecture standards.

Responsibilities include designing scalable ingestion pipelines, governance, security and data quality, and collaborating with stakeholders to translate requirements into robust data solutions while aligning

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in Enterprise Data Architecture and Data Warehousing.
• Proven track record with Azure Data Platform and Microsoft Fabric.
• Hands-on with Power BI, data engineering and cloud integration.
• Experience in governance, security, data quality and lineage.
• Preferably with government or regulated environment exposure.

Responsibilities

• Design and maintain modern data architecture using Fabric, Azure, Synapse and Databricks.
• Lead scalable ingestion pipelines for batch, streaming and real-time data.
• Define data modelling standards (star schema, semantic models).
• Oversee governance, security, compliance and metadata management.
• Collaborate with business units to translate requirements into data solutions.

Skills

Enterprise Data Architecture

Data Warehousing

Azure Data Platform

Microsoft Fabric

Power BI

Data Engineering

Cloud Architecture

Enterprise Integration

SQL Server

Medallion Architecture

Enterprise-scale analytics

API & Integration Standards

QA (QA frameworks)

Database Management

Project management

Microsoft technologies

Knowledge transfer

Team leadership

Communication

Troubleshooting

Presentation skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in CS/IT/Eng

Postgraduate qualification

TOGAF Certification

Azure Solutions Architect Expert

Fabric Analytics Engineer

Azure Data Engineer

Power BI Data Analyst

Azure Administrator

Tools

Microsoft Fabric

Azure Data Factory

Synapse

Databricks

Power BI

Microsoft Purview

SQL Server

Job description

We are recruiting for a Data Architect role.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Review and enhance the on-premises Data Warehouse environment and lead in the enhancement of the data warehouse performance, ETL / ELT optimizations, query optimizations, data partitioning, delta tables and capacity management

Architecture & Design

• Design and maintain a Modern Data Architecture using Microsoft Fabric, Azure Data Lake, OneLake, Synapse, Databricks, and Power BI etc.
• Develop and enforce Medallion Architecture standards:
• Architect scalable ingestion pipelines for batch, streaming, and real-time data.
• Define data modelling standards (star schema, modelling, semantic models).

Data Engineering & Integration

• Oversee ingestion from operational systems, APIs, databases, and third-party sources.
• Implement ETL/ELT pipelines using Fabric Data Factory, Azure Data Factory. Synapse Pipelines and Databricks
• Optimize storage, compute, and query performance across the data estate.

Governance, Security & Compliance

• Implement data governance frameworks aligned to POPIA and organizational policies.
• Define and enforce Data quality rules, Metadata standards, Data lineage and Access control and role-based security
• Ensure secure integration with on-premises systems (hybrid architecture).
• Implement enterprise governance covering Microsoft Purview, Data catalogue, Metadata management, Business glossary, Data ownership, Data stewardship, Data quality, Lineage, Classification, Information protection and Data retention
• Ensure compliance with POPIA, ISO 27001, NIST Cybersecurity Framework and Electoral Commission's Security Policies

Analytics & Business Enablement

• Build and maintain semantic models for Power BI and enterprise reporting.
• Enable self-service analytics through governed datasets.
• Collaborate with business units to translate requirements into data solutions.

Innovation & Modernization

• Drive adoption of Microsoft Fabric and cloud-native data capabilities.
• Evaluate emerging technologies (AI, ML, real-time analytics).
• Lead the implementation of hybrid data warehouses (legacy and modern architectures)

Technical Skills and Experience requirements

It is crucial that the proposed candidate should demonstrate the following experience and Minimum 8-10 years' experience in:

• Enterprise Data Architecture
• Data Warehousing
• Azure Data Platform
• Microsoft Fabric
• Power BI
• Data Engineering
• Cloud Architecture
• Enterprise Integration
• SQL Server
• Lakehouse architecture
• Medallion Architecture
• Enterprise-scale analytics
• Preferred experience within government or other highly regulated environments.
• API & Integration Standards - Understanding how different software systems communicate via REST/SOAP APIs and middleware.
• Quality Assurance (QA) - Knowledge of automated testing frameworks and manual testing protocols.
• Database Management - A functional understanding of SQL/NoSQL structures to oversee data migrations and integrity during updates.
• Good knowledge and handling of project and program management methodology and techniques.
• Familiarity with Microsoft technologies used for application development will be advantageous
• Be able to engage in formal and informal knowledge transfer.
• Be able to lead a team and manage project delivery.
• Have ability to communicate clearly - verbally and in written form.
• Demonstrate experience in troubleshooting and problem-solving technical issues; and
• Good presentation skills

Qualifications and Experience

The combination of the following qualifications and experience be an advantage, consideration will be given to similar or related qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree or National Diploma in Computer Science, Information Systems, Information Technology, Engineering or related field.
• Postgraduate qualification (Advantage).
• TOGAF Certification (Advantage).
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert (Preferred).
• Microsoft Certified: Fabric Analytics Engineer Associate.
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate.
• Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate.
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate (Advantage).
• Experience - 8+ years in software environments, with a proven track record of in Enterprise Data Architecture, Data Warehousing, Azure Data Platform, Microsoft Fabric, Power BI, Data Engineering, Cloud Architecture, Enterprise Integration, SQL Server

Required Experience

• Enterprise Data Architecture> 8 years
• General IT Knowledge> 10 years
• Data Warehousing> 8 years
• Azure Data Platform> 3 years
• Microsoft Fabric> 3 years
• Lakehouse and Medallion Architectures> 3 years
• Microsoft Power BI> 5 years
• Enterprise Integration> 5 years
• SQL Server> 10 years
• Data Engineering> 3 years
• Cloud Architecture> 3 years
• Design tools (e.g. Visio)> 5 years

Advantageous skills

• Git> 12 months
• Azure DevOps> 12 months
• CI/CD> 12 months
• Microsoft Purview> 12 months
• Microsoft Entra ID> 12 months