Data Architect / Principal Data Engineer III

Job Title: Data Architect / Principal Data Engineer IIILocation: Cincinnati, OH (Hybrid – 3 to 4 days onsite per week)Employment Type: W-2 only (No sponsorship available)Compensation: $55-60/hour + benefits Position Overview We are looking for an experienced Data Architect / Principal Data Engineer to lead a strategic data migration initiative, moving from DB2 to a modern cloud-based data platform (Azure, AWS, or GCP). This role is ideal for a hands-on technical leader with a strong background in data architecture, ETL/ELT development, and data quality within complex enterprise environments. You will collaborate with business, technology, and operations teams to deliver a phased, validated migration strategy that ensures data integrity, governance, and performance throughout the transition. Key Responsibilities Lead the architecture and implementation of data migration from DB2 to a cloud data platform, ensuring data consistency, lineage, and traceability. Design and develop scalable ETL/ELT pipelines for data ingestion, transformation, and delivery. Automate data quality checks and validation processes using Python or scripting tools. Define and manage structured migration phases with clear checkpoints and metrics. Collaborate closely with DBAs, data architects, and business stakeholders to align with compliance and performance standards. Contribute to enterprise data modeling, metadata management, and governance frameworks. Support post-migration testing and reconciliation to ensure accurate reporting and business continuity. Top Required Skills Proven experience in Data Engineering and Business Intelligence in large-scale enterprise environments Strong database design and SQL performance optimization skills Demonstrated experience leading or supporting enterprise-scale data migration projects Solid understanding of data validation, reconciliation, and quality control practices Preferred Qualifications Familiarity with Java and WebSphere Application Server (WAS 9) Experience with DevOps practices in data engineering, including CI/CD pipeline integration Exposure to big data tools such as Spark or Hadoop Proficiency in ETL tools like Informatica, DataStage, or Azure Data Factory Cloud experience with Azure Synapse, Databricks, AWS Glue, or GCP BigQuery Background in Payments or Treasury Management systems is a plus Qualifications 8+ years of experience in data engineering, data architecture, or analytics 3+ years working on data migration initiatives involving high-volume datasets and multiple business units Proficient in SQL, DB2, ETL/ELT, and Python scripting Working knowledge of cloud data services (Azure, AWS, or GCP) Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration skills What’s Offered Competitive hourly rate with benefits Medical, dental, and vision insurance Optional life and disability coverage 401(k) with matching contributions Paid vacation and bench time Training allowances Employee referral bonuses Job Types: Full-time, Contract Pay: From $55.00 per hour Work Location: On the road