Data and Systems Architect

This is a remote position.

What does the role involve?

We are seeking an experienced and highly skilled Data and Systems Architect to play a crucial and multifaceted role in an organization, bridging the gap between business needs and technical solutions. This architect is responsible for designing, building, and maintaining the overall architecture of an organization's data and information systems. This involves not only technical expertise but also a deep understanding of business processes, data governance, security, and scalability.

1. Architectural Design and Planning

• Translating Business Requirements: Work closely with stakeholders to understand business needs, pain points, and future objectives, translating these into technical requirements and architectural blueprints.

• Designing Data Models and Databases: Create efficient and scalable conceptual, logical, and physical data models. Select appropriate database technologies (relational, NoSQL, data lakes, warehouses).

• System Architecture Design: Design the structure and interactions of software applications, platforms, and infrastructure, including APIs, integration patterns, microservices, and cloud strategies.

• Technology Selection and Evaluation: Research and recommend tools, platforms, and technologies aligned with the architectural vision.

• Scalability and Performance Planning: Ensure systems can scale with growth in data, users, and transactions. Implement strategies for scaling and performance optimization.

• High Availability and Disaster Recovery Planning: Design resilient systems with backups, failover mechanisms, and disaster recovery plans.

• Data Strategy Development: Lead or contribute to the development of a comprehensive data strategy.

• Data Quality Management: Establish tools and processes to ensure data accuracy, completeness, and consistency.

• Data Security and Privacy: Implement security measures and privacy compliance (e.g., GDPR, CCPA), including encryption and access controls.

• Data Lifecycle Management: Define data retention, archival, and deletion policies.

• Master Data Management (MDM): Design and implement MDM frameworks for a consistent view of critical entities (e.g., customers, products).

• API Design and Management: Develop and manage APIs for seamless data exchange across internal and external systems.

• Data Integration Strategies: Design integration using ETL, ELT, data virtualization, and streaming methods.

• Cloud Integration: Build hybrid or fully cloud-based architectures and integrate on-premise systems with cloud services.

• Providing Technical Guidance: Support development teams and engineers with architectural expertise.

• Setting Technical Standards: Define and enforce best practices, coding standards, and architecture principles.

• Code & Architecture Reviews: Participate in reviews to uphold design integrity.

• Mentoring and Training: Guide junior architects and developers.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work with business, tech, operations, and security teams.

• Documentation: Create detailed documentation, including data flows, system diagrams, and technical specifications.

• Effective Communication: Translate complex concepts for both technical and non-technical audiences.

Skills & Qualifications

• Strong technical background in software development, databases, networking, cloud computing (AWS, Azure, GCP), and OS.

• Expertise in data modelling and database design (SQL Server, PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, Cassandra, Redis).

• Familiarity with data integration tools (Talend, Informatica), messaging systems (Kafka, RabbitMQ), API gateways.

• Full-stack web development knowledge (HTML, CSS, JavaScript), RESTful APIs, CI/CD, and WebSockets.

• Experience with architectural patterns like microservices, serverless, layered, and event-driven.

• Deep understanding of security practices: encryption, identity management, access control.

• Proficiency in languages such as Python, Java, C#, or Go.

• Strong communication and leadership skills.

• Experience: Minimum 5 years in Salesforce, NetSuite, software/data engineering, with architectural progression.

• Relevant certifications in Salesforce or cloud platforms (e.g., AWS Solutions Architect).

• Strong problem-solving skills and multitasking ability.

• Comfortable working independently in a remote environment with clear deadlines and accountability.

• Familiarity with nonprofit operations and goals is a plus.