Databricks Data Architect

Role/Job Title : Databricks Data Architect Start Date : ASAP Location : Preferably Dallas or Atlanta *Role Description - *Looking for full-time Data Architect/Databricks Solution Architect with strong Data Engineering background along with hands on Databricks and Azure skills, for on-site roles based in the Atlanta and Dallas Metropolitan Area. This role is responsible for leading the design and technical delivery of a large-scale data and AI platform implementation. This is a high-visibility, cross-technical role requiring someone who can build modern data and AI platforms built on the Databricks Lakehouse architecture, and for defining scalable, secure, and high-performing enterprise data solutions that accelerate digital transformation and analytics initiatives. The ideal candidate combines deep technical expertise with strong consulting and client-facing skills. *Key Responsibilities* * Collaborate with product teams, and data stewards to design and govern data solutions that ensure consistency, quality, and scalability across the Digital Experience ecosystem. * Lead data architecture efforts that enable AI and automation adoption — identify enhancements, establish governance frameworks, and deliver scalable data foundations. * Provide cross-product visibility by helping teams understand data impacts, integrations, and end-to-end data flows across Digital Experience systems and beyond. * Evaluate new work intake for data architecture impact and develop high-level designs for initiatives that break new ground. * Develop end-to-end enterprise data and analytics solutions using the Databricks Lakehouse Platform. * Define scalable reference architectures, data models, integration patterns, and technology roadmaps aligned with business and enterprise architecture standards. * Develop robust data ingestion, ETL/ELT, streaming, transformation, governance, and analytics solutions. * Lead discovery workshops and collaborate with business stakeholders to gather functional and non-functional requirements. * Guide implementation teams on best practices for Databricks, Apache Spark, Delta Lake, Unity Catalog, and cloud-native services. * Design secure, governed, and cost-optimized data platforms with a focus on scalability, performance, and reliability. * Integrate Databricks with enterprise applications, ERP platforms, APIs, cloud data services, and modern analytics ecosystems. * Conduct architecture, design, and code reviews to ensure solution quality and adherence to enterprise standards. * Optimize data pipelines, workloads, and infrastructure for performance and cost efficiency. * Mentor data engineers and technical teams while promoting engineering excellence and architectural best practices. * Create reusable frameworks, accelerators, reference implementations, and architectural assets that strengthen Data & AI offerings. * Stay current with emerging Databricks capabilities, AI innovations, and cloud-native data engineering best practices. *Required Qualifications:* * Bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related field. * 10+ years of experience in software engineering, data engineering, data architecture, or enterprise analytics solution development. * 3+ years of hands-on experience designing, developing, and implementing enterprise solutions on the Databricks Lakehouse Platform. * Strong expertise with Databricks technologies, including Delta Lake, Unity Catalog, Databricks Workflows, Databricks SQL, and Mlflow. Advanced proficiency in Python, PySpark, SQL, and Apache Spark. * Proven experience building scalable enterprise ETL/ELT pipelines, batch and streaming data processing solutions. * Strong understanding of modern data architecture, data governance, metadata management, Unity Catalog, security, identity and access management (IAM), and regulatory compliance. * Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and consulting skills, with the ability to translate business and technical requirements into scalable solution designs. *Preferred Qualifications:* * Databricks Certified Data Engineer Professional or Solution Architect certifications. * Azure Developer or equivalent cloud certification. * Working experience on Healthcare or Retail domain. * Familiarity with Snowflake or any other equivalent data platform. Pay: $60.00 - $80.00 per hour Work Location: In person