Data Architect

VHB is seeking a Data Architect to join our growing data team and play a key role in shaping and advancing our enterprise data strategy. This position offers hybrid options from any of VHB’s offices, with work hours aligned to the EST time zone. Occasional travel to our headquarters in Watertown, MA is required. Applicants must be legally authorized to work for VHB in the U.S. without employer sponsorship, now or in the future.

About the role

In this role, you will lead the design and implementation of scalable data architectures that support critical business objectives while partnering with cross-functional teams to establish standards, drive architectural decisions, and optimize data infrastructure for future growth. This position offers the opportunity to influence strategic direction, provide technical leadership, and mentor junior team members.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement conceptual, logical, and physical data models for enterprise applications, data warehouses, and analytics platforms.
• Architect end-to-end data solutions, including data integration, storage, access patterns, and migration strategies.
• Define and enforce data architecture standards, governance frameworks, and best practices across the organization.
• Evaluate and recommend data technologies, tools, and platforms that align with business and technical requirements.
• Collaborate with business stakeholders and technical teams to translate complex requirements into scalable data architectures.
• Establish and maintain data lineage, metadata management, and data cataloging practices.
• Design, implement, manage, and maintain databases that support enterprise applications and data analytics initiatives.
• Optimize existing data architectures for performance, scalability, reliability, and cost efficiency.
• Lead database tuning and performance monitoring efforts, including query optimization, indexing strategies, and resource utilization analysis.
• Manage database security and permissions, including role-based access controls and compliance with internal security policies.
• Plan and execute database upgrades, patching cycles, and platform enhancements while minimizing downtime.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior data engineers and architects and participate in architectural reviews and system improvement initiatives.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3–5+ years of experience in data architecture, data engineering, or related technical roles.
• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing enterprise data warehouses and data lakes.
• Experience developing scalable data models and enterprise database solutions.
• Hands-on experience with cloud-based data technologies and modern data integration tools.
• Strong understanding of database administration, security, performance tuning, and optimization.
• Proven ability to collaborate across technical and business teams to deliver enterprise data solutions.

Skills

• Strong expertise in data modeling techniques, including dimensional modeling, normalization, and denormalization.
• Advanced proficiency in SQL and experience with multiple database technologies.
• Hands-on experience with cloud data platforms, including AWS and/or Azure.
• Knowledge of data governance frameworks, metadata management, and data quality practices.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to balance technical and business requirements.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects and mentor team members.
• Advanced knowledge of Python and C# programming, preferably in the context of Azure Functions.
• Experience building ETL/ELT pipelines using Azure Data Factory, Azure Synapse Pipelines, or similar orchestration tools.
• Experience with SQL Server technologies, including SSIS, SSAS, SSRS, and T-SQL development.
• Familiarity with modern data platforms such as Databricks is a plus.
• Highly organized, self-motivated, and capable of managing multiple priorities independently.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with modern data stack technologies, including Databricks.
• Experience with SOC 2 compliance requirements and security frameworks.
• Experience leading architectural reviews and enterprise-wide data initiatives.
• Prior experience mentoring junior engineers, architects, or technical teams.
• Experience designing data solutions that support advanced analytics and business intelligence initiatives.

Pay

• Watertown, MA: $108,000 - $125,000
• New York: $113,000 - $130,000
• Washington DC area: $108,000 - $125,000

Offers will be determined based on a number of job-related factors including internal comparators, skills, education, training, credentials, experience, scope and complexity of role responsibilities, and geographic location.