Application Data Architect

Location: 100% Remote
Duration: 6-12+ Month Contract
Employment Type: W2 Only | No C2C | No Third-Party Vendors | No Sponsorship

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced Application Data Architect to lead the design and evolution of data structures that power enterprise applications. This position requires a strong background in database architecture, data modeling, and application-focused data design within modern distributed environments. The ideal candidate will be passionate about creating scalable, efficient, and well-governed data solutions that support business growth and technology modernization.

What You''ll Do

• Architect robust data solutions for business-critical applications and services.
• Design and maintain logical and physical database models that support high-volume transactional systems.
• Create well-structured, normalized database schemas with a focus on scalability, performance, and maintainability.
• Define data standards, entity relationships, constraints, and governance practices across application platforms.
• Partner with engineering teams to ensure data models align with application functionality and business objectives.
• Support cloud-based data initiatives utilizing both relational and NoSQL technologies.
• Evaluate data access patterns and recommend appropriate persistence and caching strategies.
• Collaborate with security and governance teams to ensure compliance with data protection and retention requirements.
• Review database designs, SQL implementations, and architectural decisions to ensure consistency and quality.
• Establish best practices for data architecture and contribute to long-term technology roadmaps.
• Produce and maintain architecture documentation, standards, and modeling artifacts.

Required Skills & Experience

• 10+ years of experience designing and managing relational database solutions.
• 5+ years in Data Architecture, Software Architecture, or related design-focused roles.
• Deep understanding of database normalization, schema design, and transactional application data structures.
• Strong hands-on experience creating conceptual, logical, and physical data models.
• Experience with data modeling platforms such as ERwin, ER Studio, DbSchema, Vertabelo, or similar tools.
• Expertise with PostgreSQL, MySQL, Oracle, SQL Server, or equivalent relational database platforms.
• Ability to analyze, validate, and troubleshoot SQL queries.
• Experience supporting application-centric environments rather than reporting or data warehouse platforms.
• Knowledge of NoSQL technologies such as MongoDB, Cassandra, or similar databases.
• Understanding of microservices, APIs, and distributed application architectures.
• Familiarity with data governance, security controls, privacy standards, and lifecycle management.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to work across business and technical teams.
• Experience working within Agile development environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience designing solutions within AWS cloud environments.
• Knowledge of Object-Relational Mapping (ORM) concepts and frameworks.
• Exposure to Java and/or Go-based application ecosystems.
• Experience with metadata management or data catalog platforms such as Alation or Collibra.
• Previous experience in Financial Services, Insurance, or other highly regulated industries.

Ideal Background

We are seeking someone who combines strong technical depth in database architecture with the ability to collaborate across product, engineering, and business teams. Candidates should be comfortable designing data solutions for modern applications, balancing scalability, performance, governance, and long-term maintainability.