Azure Data Architect

Job Title: Data Architect / Lead Work Location & Reporting Address: Richardson, TX 75082 Type: Contract Job Details: Mandatory skills: Strong expertise with SQL Server, Azure Data Lake, Databricks, and Microsoft Fabric Desired skills: NoSQL databases (Cosmos DB, MongoDB, Cassandra, or equivalent). Power BI. Detailed Job Description: About the Role: We are looking for an experienced Data Architect / Lead to drive the architecture, design, and delivery of scalable data platforms across Azure and modern data ecosystems. The ideal candidate will have strong expertise in Azure Data Lake, Databricks, Microsoft Fabric, SQL, and NoSQL systems, along with demonstrated leadership in managing Data Engineering teams. This role will also support the organization’s GenAI Insights initiatives by enabling advanced analytics and AI-driven insights. Key Responsibilities: 1. Lead and mentor Data Engineering teams, fostering collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement. 1. Define and own the enterprise data architecture vision aligned with organizational goals. 1. Architect and implement end-to-end data platforms using Azure Data Lake, Azure SQL, Databricks, Microsoft Fabric, and NoSQL databases. 1. Build scalable data pipelines for ingestion, transformation, and integration across structured and unstructured sources. 1. Drive adoption of data quality engineering practices including profiling, validation, and data monitoring. 1. Implement data governance and security frameworks to manage and protect enterprise data. 1. Enable business decision-making by delivering timely, trusted, and actionable insights. 1. Collaborate with BI teams to develop Power BI dashboards and executive-facing reports. 1. Present insights and architectural recommendations clearly to executive leadership. 1. Integrate Generative AI tools and advanced analytics into insights-generation workflows. 1. Work closely with cross-functional teams to understand business needs and translate them into scalable data solutions. 1. Provide technical guidance, ensure best practices, and support successful delivery of data initiatives. Qualifications: Experience: Minimum of 5+ years in data engineering, data architecture, or analytics roles. Technical Skills: 1. Strong expertise in Azure Data Lake, SQL Server, Databricks, Microsoft Fabric. 1. Hands-on experience with NoSQL technologies such as Cosmos DB, MongoDB, or Cassandra. 1. Proficiency in SQL, data modeling, and data pipeline development. 1. Solid understanding of Azure cloud services, data storage, security, and governance frameworks. 1. Experience in building Power BI dashboards and enterprise reporting solutions. 1. Knowledge of advanced analytics, machine learning concepts, and Generative AI tooling. Preferred Qualifications: • Relevant industry certifications (Azure Data Engineer, Databricks Data Engineer, Microsoft Fabric). • Experience leading Data Engineering teams in enterprise environments. • Familiarity with cloud-scale data architecture patterns and modern data platforms. • Strong communication skills with proven ability to translate technical concepts for executives. Total Years of Experience: 10+ years Relevant Years of experience: 8+ years Certification needed: Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate, Databricks Certified Data Engineer, Microsoft Fabric Analytics Engineer Associate)