Senior Data Architect

Job Title- Senior Data Architect

Duration : 9 Months (initial budget through July 2026) potential for conversion if candidate / banking end client are mutually interested

Client Location : Pittsburgh, PA

Travel Requirements

• Light travel required; approximately 4 6 days / month to Pittsburgh location
• Architects will meet with bank teams in person every 2 3 weeks , typically for 2 3 days per visit .
• Travel is billable and expensed per the bank's travel policy (preferred hotels, flights, etc.).

We are seeking an experienced Senior Data Architect. The ideal candidate will possess deep

expertise in a variety of database architectures and data technologies, with a strong focus on

creating scalable, robust, and secure data solutions that support strategic business initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

Architectural Design & Strategy : Lead the design and evolution of the enterprise

payments data architecture, including conceptual, logical, and physical data models.

Collaborate on design using various data architectures and technologies as appropriate.

Database Management : Determine appropriate database designs and implementation

patterns, based on business requirements, performance and resilience needs.

Data Modeling : Provide guidance and direction on the use of a canonical data models

to ensure consistency and interoperability across different business domains and systems.

System Integration : Collaborate with engineering and development teams to ensure new

systems and applications adhere to established data architectural standards and

successfully integrate with the existing data landscape.

Security & Compliance : Ensure designs comply with regulatory requirements and

internal policies, particularly concerning data privacy and security.

Support the creation of migration strategies for transitioning from legacy payment

platforms to modern architecture

Qualifications

Experience : 7+ years of progressive experience in data architecture, data modeling, and

database design.

Data Architecture :

o Expertise in various database architectures and technologies, including Relational

(SQL) and Non-Relational (NoSQL) databases.

o Proven experience designing and implementing large-scale data platforms such as

Data Warehouses, Data Lakes, ODS, and Data Lakehouses.

o Strong proficiency in creating data models and applying various data modeling

techniques (e.g., 3NF, Dimensional Modeling, Data Vault).

Model Design : Demonstrated ability to translate complex business requirements into

robust, scalable, and efficient data model designs.

Soft Skills

Excellent communication skills with ability to articulate complex technical concepts to

non-technical stakeholders

Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities

Ability to work effectively in matrixed, fast-paced transformation environments

Experience leading architecture reviews and design authority forums

Preferred Skills

Payments Industry Experience : Prior experience in the financial services sector,

specifically within the payments domain (e.g., processing, clearing, settlement).

ISO 20022 Knowledge : Familiarity with or experience implementing solutions based on

the ISO 20022 standard for financial messaging.

Big Data Technologies : Knowledge of technologies such as event driven architectures,

Spark, Kafka, or similar systems.