Data Architect

Overview

Hybrid
Depends on Experience
Full Time

Skills

Data Governance
Data Lake
Data Architecture
HIPAA
Public Sector
TOGAF
Regulatory Compliance
Communication

Job Details

Job Title: Data Architect
Location: Hybrid Primarily Remote with occasional onsite at ZCS Office Springfield/Chicago
Duration: Long Term

Client: Zion Clouds Solutions

Position Overview

Zion Cloud Solutions is seeking a Senior Data Architect to lead the technical design and implementation of a secure, governed, and audit-ready Microsoft Azure-based data platform in support of our clients. This role requires a seasoned expert with experience in Azure cloud services, data ingestion, metadata management, and cross-platform integration.

You will be responsible for architecting a centralized Data Lake solution using Microsoft Fabric, enabling data ingestion from Indiana Horse Racing systems, and supporting downstream analytics, compliance, and monitoring functions. The solution must align with SOX, HIPAA, and NIST 800-53 requirements and incorporate integration with systems such as SAP, Microsoft Access, IBM-based platforms, and flat-file sources.

Key Responsibilities

  • Solution Architecture & Design
    • Design the end-to-end Azure-based data lake architecture using Microsoft Fabric (OneLake, Data Factory, Synapse, Power BI).
    • Define integration approaches with IHRC/HRMS, SAP, Access, IBM, and flat file systems (.csv/.txt).
    • Architect secure ingestion pipelines with scheduled refresh, delta detection, and lineage tracking.
  • Security, Compliance & Governance
    • Implement encryption (at rest and in transit), RBAC (role-based access control), and secure access policies using Azure Key Vault, Private Endpoints, and Entra ID.
    • Align all architectural decisions with SOX controls, HIPAA, IITAA, and NIST 800-53 standards.
    • Lead data governance implementation via Microsoft Purview or equivalent (e.g., Alation, Collibra) for metadata tagging and classification.
  • Metadata, Lineage & Data Classification
    • Establish naming conventions, tagging strategy (e.g., PII indicators), and schema harmonization across all ingested sources.
    • Design a metadata-driven ingestion framework that supports lineage tracking and audit logs.
  • Stakeholder Engagement & Documentation
    • Collaborate closely with ZCS Customer s security, compliance, IRB leadership, and business stakeholders.
    • Deliver technical documentation including architecture diagrams, lineage maps, access controls, and compliance evidence packages.
    • Support development of training materials and knowledge transfer for operational continuity.
  • Operational Support & Scalability
    • Guide the deployment of a production-ready platform with runbooks, DR procedures, and access monitoring.
    • Architect the system to support future expansion to other Illinois Racing systems and bureaus.
    • Define and enforce cost-efficient practices (FinOps) to optimize resource utilization in Azure.

Technical Skills & Tooling

  • Cloud Platform & Architecture: Microsoft Azure, Microsoft Fabric, Azure Synapse, Azure Data Factory
  • Data Governance: Microsoft Purview, Azure Policy, data classification frameworks
  • Security & Compliance: Azure Key Vault, RBAC, Private Endpoints, NIST 800-53, SOX
  • Integration Technologies: SAP connectors, Access/ODBC integrations, IBM data interfaces, flat file ingestion (csv/txt)
  • Visualization & Reporting: Power BI (Workspace Configuration, Shared Datasets, Dashboards)
  • Monitoring & Operations: Azure Monitor, Application Insights, CI/CD pipelines with Azure DevOps
  • Documentation & Standards: Visio, Draw.io, TOGAF-aligned modeling, Confluence/Wiki
  • Languages: T-SQL, PySpark, KQL preferred

Qualifications

  • 8+ years in Data Architecture roles with recent Azure cloud-native project experience
  • 3+ years delivering secure, compliant architectures for government or regulated industries
  • Familiarity with FISCAL, ERP integration, and public sector analytics/reporting platforms
  • Strong understanding of metadata strategy, lineage, and data stewardship principles
  • Excellent client communication, technical documentation, and solution governance skills
  • Preferred: Microsoft Certified (Azure Solutions Architect / Data Engineer), experience with State of Illinois systems

Deliverables You'll Own

  • Technical Architecture Document (TAD)
  • Ingestion & Integration Design Plan
  • Security & RBAC Model Document
  • Metadata & Lineage Strategy
  • Compliance Evidence Package (logs, snapshots, diagrams)
  • Production Cutover & Support Runbooks
  • Power BI Workspace Configuration & Sharing Model
  • Documentation for integration with SAP, IBM, Access, and external systems

Employers have access to artificial intelligence language tools (“AI”) that help generate and enhance job descriptions and AI may have been used to create this description. The position description has been reviewed for accuracy and Dice believes it to correctly reflect the job opportunity.