Senior Data Architect

Consulting Department

Location

Calgary, AB (Hybrid - 2 days/week)

Employment Type

Full-Time

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Role Overview

As a Senior Data Architect, you'll lead the design and implementation of modern data platforms for enterprise clients across Energy, Financial Services, and Public Sector. You'll work directly with C-level stakeholders to translate business requirements into scalable, governed data architectures on Azure, Databricks, and Microsoft Fabric.

Key Responsibilities

Client Delivery (60%)

  • •Lead data architecture assessments and gap analysis for enterprise clients
  • •Design target-state architectures (lakehouse, data mesh, modern data warehouse)
  • •Create detailed technical roadmaps with phased implementation plans
  • •Architect end-to-end solutions: ingestion, storage, processing, consumption layers
  • •Develop governance frameworks: data cataloging, lineage, quality, security
  • •Lead discovery workshops and present architectural recommendations to executives
  • •Mentor junior consultants and provide technical oversight on projects
  • •Ensure solutions align with industry best practices and compliance requirements (GDPR, PIPEDA, SOC 2)

Pre-Sales & Business Development (20%)

  • •Support sales team with technical discovery and proposal development
  • •Develop client-facing architecture diagrams and solution designs
  • •Provide effort estimates and technical scoping for proposals
  • •Present capabilities and case studies to prospective clients
  • •Participate in industry conferences and networking events

Thought Leadership (10%)

  • •Contribute to Ripotek's knowledge base and best practices
  • •Mentor team members on architecture patterns and methodologies
  • •Stay current with emerging technologies and platform updates
  • •Write whitepapers and blog posts on data architecture topics
  • •Present at internal lunch-and-learns and training sessions

Internal Projects (10%)

  • •Contribute to Ripotek's internal IP development (accelerators, frameworks, templates)
  • •Participate in hiring and interviewing candidates
  • •Support development of training curriculum content
  • •Participate in strategic planning and service offerings refinement

Required Qualifications

Experience

  • 8+ years in data architecture, engineering, or related roles
  • 5+ years designing and implementing enterprise data platforms
  • 3+ years with Azure data services (Data Lake, Synapse, Data Factory, Databricks)
  • Proven track record delivering 5+ large-scale data platform implementations
  • Experience across multiple industries (Energy, Finance, or Public Sector preferred)

Technical Skills

Cloud Platforms:

Azure (primary), AWS or GCP (secondary)

Data Platforms:

Azure Synapse, Databricks, Microsoft Fabric, Snowflake

Data Modeling:

Dimensional modeling, Data Vault 2.0, one big table patterns

Architecture Frameworks:

TOGAF, Zachman, or similar

Governance Tools:

Azure Purview, Collibra, or similar

Programming:

SQL (advanced), Python or Scala (intermediate)

DevOps:

Git, Azure DevOps, CI/CD pipelines

BI Tools:

Power BI, Tableau, or Looker

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional communication skills - can explain complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders
  • Strong facilitation skills for workshops and discovery sessions
  • Proven ability to influence and gain stakeholder buy-in
  • Experience managing client relationships and expectations
  • Comfortable presenting to C-level executives
  • Self-motivated with ability to work independently
  • Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills

Preferred Qualifications

  • ✓Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert
  • ✓Databricks Certified Data Engineer or Architect
  • ✓TOGAF 9.2 certification
  • ✓Experience with data mesh or modern data architecture patterns
  • ✓Knowledge of AI/ML platform design
  • ✓Prior consulting experience (Big 4, boutique firm, or independent)
  • ✓Industry-specific domain knowledge (Oil & Gas, Banking, Government)

What We Offer

Work Environment

  • •Hybrid model: 2 days/week in Calgary office, 3 days remote
  • •Flexible hours (core hours 10am-3pm MT)
  • •Modern downtown Calgary office with standing desks
  • •Latest MacBook Pro or Surface Laptop
  • •Home office setup allowance ($2,000)

Growth & Development

  • •Work on cutting-edge Azure, Databricks, and AI projects
  • •Exposure to diverse industries and use cases
  • •Mentorship from seasoned architects (15-20+ years experience)
  • •Opportunity to contribute to training curriculum
  • •Clear path to Principal Architect and leadership roles
  • •Conference attendance and speaking opportunities

Culture & Impact

  • •Small team environment - your impact is visible and valued
  • •Direct client interaction - you own the relationship
  • •Collaborative, low-ego culture focused on client success
  • •Contribute to training the next generation of data professionals
  • •Opportunity to work on projects that drive real business transformation

Interview Process

1

Phone Screen (30 min)

HR and hiring manager

2

Technical Interview (90 min)

Whiteboard architecture design exercise

3

Case Study Presentation (60 min)

Present solution to mock client scenario

4

Culture Fit (45 min)

Meet with leadership and peers

5

Reference Checks

3 professional references

Timeline:2-3 weeks from application to offer

Ready to Join Our Team?

We'd love to hear from you. Apply now and let's build something amazing together.