Principal Platform Architect (Architecture Review / Target State)
DETAILS
Location: Dallas, TX 75251 (onsite 2 days per week [Mon/Tues or Mon/Wed])
Position Type: 12M+ Contract (Multi-phase / Architecture Review through Future-State Design)
Hourly / Salary: to $120W2+ (based on experience)

JOB SUMMARY
Vaco is seeking a Principal Platform Architect for a 12M+ Contract (Multi-phase / Architecture Review through Future-State Design) that is located in Dallas, TX 75251 (onsite 2 days per week [Mon/Tues or Mon/Wed]). The Principal Platform Architect will lead an architecture-focused evaluation and refinement of the Data Platform. The Principal Platform Architect will independently assess an in-flight data platform architecture, validate alignment with business, regulatory, and technology requirements, and define a 2026 executable architecture and a fully realized future-state target architecture. The Principal Platform Architect will be part of an engagement that is architecture-led and governance-driven, working in close partnership with existing delivery teams and enterprise architecture leadership. Additionally, the Principal Platform Architect will not be responsible for platform build, data pipeline implementation, or operational support.

Architect Role Overview: This Architect will be performing overall Solution Architecture, including MDM, AWS Cloud Native / AWS Native MSK / Flink / Glue Streaming / S3 + Iceberg / DynamoDB / API Gateway, etc. This Architect must be able to support end-to-end technical architecture and at the same time provide technical insight to the implementation and delivery of the solution. This Architect must be technically strong in a real-time event-based streaming solution with API delivery mechanisms. Additionally, this Architect will drive the end-to-end design and implementation of the overall solutions.

Phase I: Architecture Review / Validation

Review Existing PCB Architecture Artifacts / Assumptions / Design Decisions
Evaluate Alignment to Business Outcomes / Non-Functional Requirements / Regulatory Considerations
Assess Technology Selections / Architectural Patterns Against Best Practices
Evaluate Conformance to Modern Data Platform / Domain-Oriented / Event-Driven Architectures
Produce Objective Architecture Assessment with Clear Recommendations

Phase II: 2026 Executable Architecture

Refine / Finalize a 2026-Ready Architecture that Delivery Teams can Immediate Execute
Define Logical / Physical Architecture Models
Establish System-of-Record v. System-of-Use Boundaries
Define Business Logic Ownership / Accountability Models
Document Data Flow / Integration Patterns / Non-Functional Architecture Guidance

Phase III: Future-State Target Architecture

Design Fully Realized / Unconstrained Future-State Architecture
Data Mastering / Ownership Decision Frameworks
Define data mastering and ownership decision frameworks
Clarify Application v. Platform Responsibility Boundaries
Create an Evolution Roadmap from the 2026 Architecture to the Future State

Architecture Governance / Alignment

Participate in Architecture Review Boards / Architecture Ceremonies
Prepare / Present Architecture Artifacts for Forman Review / Approval
Align Recommendation to Architectural Standards / Long-Term Technology Strategy
Document / Justify Any Proposed Deviations Through Formal Governance Channels

Deliverables / Assessment Framework

Architecture Assessments Utilizing Red / Amber / Green (RAG) Framework
Explicit Architectural Decision Logs (Decisions / Questions / Assumptions)

Executive / Architecture Leadership Readouts
Approved Architecture Artifacts for 2026 / Future-State Designs
Each Assessment Includes: RAG Status / Concise Rationale / Recommendation (Confirm / Refine / Correct) / Impact (if unaddressed)

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Platform Architect Tech Stack: AWS Cloud Native / AWS Native MSK / Flink / Glue Streaming / S3 + Iceberg / DynamoDB / API Gateway / MDM, etc.
Architecture / Data Platform Expertise
- Enterprise / Data Platform Architecture (8+ years) – Designing / Reviewing / Governing Large-Scale Data Platforms in Regulated Enterprise Environments
- Modern Data Platform Patterns – Domain-Oriented Architecture / Event-Driven Architecture / Data Products / System-of-Record v. System-of-Use Modeling
- Logical / Physical Architecture Design – Conceptual / Logical / Physical Models with Clear Ownership / Responsibility Boundaries
Data / Integration Architecture
- Data Integration Patterns – Event Streaming / API-based Integration / Batch Ingestion / Asynchronous Messaging
- Data Ownership / Mastering – Defining Data Domains / Mastering Strategies / Stewardship and Ownership Models
- Business Logic Placement – Platform v. Application Responsibility Modeling
Non-Functional / Enterprise Requirements
- Non-Functional Architecture – Scalability / Resiliency / Performance / Availability / Security / Data Governance
- Regulatory / Risk Considerations – Designing Architectures Supporting Auditability / Data Lineage / Compliance Requirements
- Architectural Tradeoff Analysis – Evaluating Technology Selections / Documentation (Decisions / Risks / Impacts)
Architecture Governance / Communication
- Architecture Governance – Active Participating in the Architecture Review Boards / Formal Design Reviews / Decision Forums
- Architecture Artifacts – Producing Executive- / Delivery-ready Diagrams / Decision Logs / Assessment Summaries
- RAG-Based Assessments – Red / Amber / Green Evaluations with Clear Rationale / Recommendations (Confirm / Refine / Correct) / Impact Analysis
Tools / Modeling
- Architecture Modeling – C4 / Logical-Physical Diagrams / Data Flow Diagrams / Capability Maps
- Documentation / Collaboration – Confluence / SharePoint / PowerPoint / Diagramming Tools (Lucid / Visio, etc.)
- Data Platform Exposure – Cloud Data Platforms / Event Streaming Technologies / Enterprise Integration Tooling (Vendor-Agnostic)

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco/Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual’s skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, office location and other geographic considerations, as well as other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco/Highspring notes the salary range for the role is noted in this job posting. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company’s 401(k) retirement plan. Additional disclaimer: Unless otherwise noted in the job description, the position Vaco/Highspring is filing for is occupied. Please note, however, that Vaco/Highspring is regularly asked to provide talent to other organizations. By submitting to this position, you are agreeing to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. Submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase within Vaco/Highspring will be otherwise assessed by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco/Highspring does not have knowledge of the tools used by its clients in making final hiring decisions and cannot opine on their use of AI products.

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