Databricks Solutions Architect Lead

Job Title: Databricks Solution Architect / Lead Consultant Industry: Professional Services Duration: 6-month initial contract (extension likely) Hours: Full-time, 40 hrs/week Pay Rate: $120/hr Location: Remote (US-based) Position Overview We are seeking an experienced Databricks Solution Architect / Lead Consultant with deep expertise in data engineering and cloud-based analytics. In this role, you will serve as the primary client-facing technical lead, driving solution design and architecture for enterprise-level Databricks Lakehouse implementations. You will translate complex business needs into scalable, cost-efficient data solutions, guide both local and offshore development teams, and ensure high-quality delivery. This is a high-visibility role with direct client interaction, where strong communication and leadership skills are as critical as your technical expertise. Key Responsibilities Client & Requirements Management • Act as the primary technical liaison with clients, leading discussions to capture business needs, technical challenges, and data strategy goals. • Conduct workshops and deep-dive sessions to gather detailed requirements for ingestion, transformation, modeling, and data consumption. Solution Design & Architecture • Architect end-to-end data solutions on the Databricks Lakehouse Platform (Delta Lake, Unity Catalog, Spark, Photon, etc.). • Produce detailed design deliverables (architecture diagrams, flow maps, technical specs, implementation plans). • Establish best practices for data governance, performance tuning, security, and cost optimization across cloud environments (AWS, Azure, or GCP). Team Leadership & Delivery Oversight • Provide direction to offshore development teams, ensuring alignment with approved architecture and quality standards. • Translate designs into clear technical tasks, conduct code reviews, and provide ongoing technical guidance. • Support integration, deployment, and troubleshooting during the build and release phases. • Must-Have Qualifications • 7+ years of experience in Data Engineering, Data Warehousing, or BI with a strong focus on solution design. • Hands-on Databricks expertise, including: • PySpark/Scala for building scalable pipelines. • Delta Lake and Lakehouse architecture. • Security and governance with Unity Catalog. • Strong SQL skills and data modeling (Kimball, Data Vault, or similar). • Experience working with at least one cloud provider’s data stack (AWS, Azure, or GCP). • Proven consulting experience, with strong communication skills and ability to present technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders. • Demonstrated ability to manage and direct offshore/global teams. Preferred Skills • Databricks certification (Data Engineer Professional or higher). • Familiarity with DevOps/DataOps practices (CI/CD, testing automation in Databricks). • Exposure to ML/AI use cases and Databricks MLflow. • Prior professional services/consulting background. Why Apply • Direct involvement in enterprise-scale Databricks implementations. • Opportunity to own solution architecture and directly advise stakeholders. • Work in a global delivery environment with leadership visibility. • Competitive compensation and long-term contract extension potential. #TECH #Remote