Senior Data Architect (5618) at SMX

<div class="ui-form-item ui-form-item-horizontal" data-direction="horizontal"> <div class="ui-form-field lifesuite__rte--display"> <div class="ui-form-field lifesuite__rte--display"> <p>SMX is hiring a Senior Data Architect to lead the design and stand-up of a modern, governed enterprise data platform from the ground up. This role owns the architecture that turns fragmented, siloed source data into standardized, reusable data products — defining the platform patterns, governance model, and integration approach that every downstream consumer depends on. Working across engineering, governance, and mission teams, the Senior Data Architect sets the technical direction for how data is ingested, mastered, secured, and exposed at enterprise scale. This role is essential for building the foundation right the first time and ensuring it scales.</p> <p><strong>Essential Duties and Responsibilities</strong></p> <ul> <li>Own the end-to-end architecture of a Databricks-based enterprise data platform — environment design, medallion (bronze/silver/gold) architecture, storage layers, and data flow across cloud and integrated systems.</li> <li>Lead zero-to-one platform builds, translating an ambiguous target state into a concrete, phased technical architecture and delivery plan.</li> <li>Design data-product and domain-driven architecture, defining canonical/domain data models, golden-record and Master Data Management (MDM) patterns, and reusable data-product standards.</li> <li>Establish governance-as-code practices — access controls, data classification, lineage, metadata, and data-quality rules implemented as enforceable pipeline and platform logic rather than manual process.</li> <li>Architect platform integrations and data exchange between systems — APIs, storage-layer delivery, event-driven patterns, and secure connectivity across internal and external consumers.</li> <li>Define data standardization and quality frameworks that bring raw source data to trusted, consumable tiers.</li> <li>Partner with data engineers, analysts, product managers, and client stakeholders to translate requirements into architecture, and communicate technical direction and trade-offs to both technical and executive audiences.</li> <li>Guide implementation teams, review designs, and ensure delivery aligns to the target architecture, security boundary, and compliance requirements.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Required Skills &amp; Experience</strong></p> <ul> <li>Bacheor's degree in Computer Science, Data Engineering, Information Systems, or a related field; equivalent experience considered.</li> <li>8+ years of progressive experience in data architecture, data engineering, or platform engineering, including senior/lead technical ownership.</li> <li>Security clearance required (Secret or higher).</li> <li>Deep, hands-on **Databricks** experience — platform architecture, Unity Catalog, medallion pipelines, and workspace/access design.</li> <li>Proven experience architecting and delivering a data platform from the ground up (zero-to-one), not just operating an existing one.</li> <li>Strong expertise in data modeling, canonical/domain models, MDM, and golden-record design.</li> <li>Experience implementing data governance — access control, lineage, metadata management, classification, and data quality — ideally as governance-as-code.</li> <li>Strong proficiency in SQL and Python; solid understanding of cloud data architecture (AWS, Azure, or GCP).</li> <li>Experience designing APIs, data-product delivery patterns, and integrations across multiple systems.</li> <li>Excellent communication skills, with the ability to align engineering teams and communicate architecture to executive and client stakeholders.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Desired Skills &amp; Experience</strong></p> <ul> <li>Experience in a regulated or federal environment, including security boundaries, RMF/ATO, and CUI data handling.</li> <li>Familiarity with MuleSoft or similar API/integration platforms.</li> <li>Experience with event-driven architectures and real-time data delivery.</li> <li>Exposure to AI/ML data enablement — preparing governed data for analytical and AI consumption.</li> <li>Experience with distributed processing (Spark) and modern data catalog tooling.</li> <li>Background supporting data-as-a-product operating models and domain-driven data organizations.</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> </div> </div><div class="content-pay-transparency"><div class="pay-input"><div class="description"><p>&nbsp;</p> <hr> <p><span style="font-size: 16px;">The SMX salary determination process takes into account a number of factors, including but not limited to, geographic location, Federal Government contract labor categories, relevant prior work experience, specific skills, education and certifications. At SMX, one of our Core Values is to Invest in Our People so we offer a competitive mix of compensation, learning &amp; development opportunities, and benefits. Some key components of our robust benefits include health insurance, paid leave, and retirement.</span></p></div><div class="title">The proposed salary for this position is:</div><div class="pay-range"><span>$142,000</span><span class="divider">&mdash;</span><span>$220,000 USD</span></div></div></div><div class="content-conclusion"><p>&nbsp;</p> <p>At SMX®, we are a team of technical and domain experts dedicated to enabling your mission. From priority national security initiatives for the DoD to highly assured and compliant solutions for healthcare, we understand that digital transformation is key to your future success.</p> <p>We share your vision for the future and strive to accelerate your impact on the world. We bring both cutting edge technology and an expansive view of what’s possible to every engagement. Our delivery model and unique approaches harness our deep technical and domain knowledge, providing forward-looking insights and practical solutions to power secure mission acceleration.</p> <p>SMX is an Equal Opportunity employer including disabilities and veterans.</p> <p><span data-teams="true"><span id="message-body-1758638857922" class="fui-ChatMyMessage__body rcngbzt ___eyw0iv0 f10pi13n ftqa4ok f2hkw1w f8hki3x f1d2448m f1bjia2o ffh67wi f1j6vpng f1pniga2 f987i1v f1ffjurs f15bsgw9 f14e48fq f18yb2kv fd6o370 ffwy5si f3znvyf f57olzd f4stah7 f480a47 fs1por5 fk6fouc figsok6 fkhj508 f19n0e5 f9ijwd5 fzqqayd f10ostut f1o0qvyv f9ggezi f1xp5gbu f150uoa4 ffyari3 fo7qwa0 f16xkysk fxowb0n f11ghf3q f13aoclr flypziy f10kwr27 fquw1qa fftr39l f13lathq f15hsm81 f2ss68y ffb60jq f8nuap2 f13nk4fk f7jacry fq08z5q fd9af6s fr74w9q fcl9uv6 f13sm7pj f1u6qqly f16wpxbl faim3u9 f6cs3qo fa2w2z3 fd39nx6 f10gn8j9 frcqmxy f1w9ws4k f1ddxkqj fd10euv fvuz61 f1nbc6gw"><span id="content-1758638857922" class="fui-Primitive ___16zla5h f1oy3dpc fqtknz5 fyvcxda"></span></span></span></p> <div id="x_Signature"></div> <p>Selected applicant may be subject to a background investigation and/or education verification.</p> <p>SMX does not sponsor a new applicant for employment authorization or immigration related support for this position (i.e. H1B, F-1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT, F-1 CPT, J-1, TN, E-2, E-3, L-1 and O-1, or any EADs or other forms of work authorization that require immigration support from an employer).</p></div>