Senior Enterprise Data Architect

Salary : $104,304.00 - $140,208.00 Annually
Location : Multiple Locations Statewide, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Job Number: 2026-08967
Department: Dept. of Commerce
Division: Innovation and Technology
Opening Date: 10/29/2026
Closing Date: 11/12/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step

Description
Senior Enterprise Data Architect
At the Department of Commerce, we're reimagining what's possible in government. We're builders, thinkers, and change-makers, working at the intersection of innovation, community, and impact. From unlocking critical funding to fueling inclusive economic growth, we're turning big ideas into real-world solutions that uplift people and places.
Our agency's strength lies in the diversity of our workforce and the breadth of the lived experiences and perspectives employees bring to the work. We believe equity is not just a value but a practice, which is reflected in how we design programs, engage communities, and deliver outcomes. We foster a workplace culture where curiosity is encouraged, bold thinking is welcomed, and collaboration drives our impact.

This job is a commitment to reshape systems so they work better for everyone. If you're ready to challenge the status quo and build meaningful connections, we want to meet you.

Let's build what's next, together.
The Innovation and Technology Division (ITD) at the Department of Commerce supports the agency's mission by delivering secure, modern, and innovative technology services that drive operational efficiency and digital transformation across all divisions. The division is responsible for maintaining core information technology (IT) infrastructure, supporting enterprise applications, and aligning technical solutions with strategic agency goals.

The ITD supports the entire agency through three primary sections:
Digital Innovation & Enterprise Cloud Platforms
IT Operations
Enterprise IT Governance and Risk

The Senior Enterprise Data Architect is responsible for acquiring, organizing, and analyzing complex datasets to support agency operations and strategic decision-making. This position develops and maintains data systems, ensures data quality and integrity, and implements processes for secure data storage and retrieval. This position collaborates with cross-divisional teams to inventory datasets, define metadata standards, and contribute to the creation of centralized, searchable data catalogs. The role also provides technical guidance to program staff, leads compliance with federal, state, and agency regulatory requirements, and leads the implementation of agency data governance frameworks. Additionally, the Senior Enterprise Data Architect leads the planning and design of enterprise data architecture, working closely with the IT Data Manager to ensure data systems are scalable, interoperable, and aligned with organizational goals.

This position plays a critical role in enabling data-driven insights across the agency by ensuring the accuracy, accessibility, and reliability of enterprise data. The Senior Enterprise Data Architect is instrumental in identifying and resolving data inconsistencies, supporting integration efforts, and facilitating timely reporting and analytics. By partnering with IT professionals, leadership, data stewards, and business units, the Architect helps bridge technical and operational needs, directly impacting the agency's ability to deliver effective programs and services. The Senior Enterprise Data Architect leads the modernization of data architecture by evaluating new technologies and recommending improvements to data platforms and workflows.

The main purpose of the Senior Enterprise Data Architect position is to acquire, organize, and analyze complex datasets to support agency operations and strategic decision-making. This role develops and maintains data systems, ensures data quality and integrity, and implements secure processes for data storage and retrieval. The Senior Enterprise Data Architect collaborates with cross-divisional teams to inventory datasets, define metadata standards, and contribute to the planning and design of centralized enterprise data architecture & governance. The role defines the governance operating model; architects metadata and classification standards; leads selection and implementation of the enterprise data catalog and lineage tooling; and supports the development and operationalization of policies, standards, and controls for data quality, security, privacy, and stewardship across all divisions. The work is highly technical and analytical, requiring expertise in data management, integration, and reporting, as well as the ability to resolve non-routine data inconsistencies and support compliance with federal, state, and agency regulatory requirements. The position works cross-functionally to inventory agency data, document lineage, and drive adoption of enterprise standards, ensuring reliable, secure, and compliant data to support decision-making and service delivery. The position also provides technical guidance to program staff and leads the implementation of agency data governance frameworks, directly impacting the agency's ability to deliver effective programs and services.
Duties

Lead the design and modernization of enterprise data architecture by defining structural frameworks, integration patterns, and governance standards that guide development, interoperability, and system alignment across all agency divisions.
Tasks include:
Independently resolve complex data challenges, improve data management processes, and provide advanced technical guidance on data architecture, standards, and best practices.
Independently collect, inventory, and validate datasets from various agency divisions using enterprise data management tools and governance practices, ensuring organization-wide coverage, accessibility, and alignment with data standards.
Design, develop, optimize, and administer secure enterprise data systems, including databases, ETL processes, and integration processes, using advanced data management platforms, modeling techniques, and performance tuning methods.
Apply advanced analytical, statistical, and automated validation techniques to evaluate and improve data quality, consistency, and integrity across multiple systems; devise new methods for resolving complex non-routine data issues.
Lead cross-divisional collaboration to establish, refine, and implement metadata standards, classification rules, and documentation practices; provide guidance to staff and stakeholders on best practices and data governance principles.
Contribute expert technical insight to enterprise data architecture initiatives by modeling complex systems, evaluating emerging technologies, designing improved data workflows, and recommending improvements that support strategic, agency-wide operations.

Provide advanced technical leadership and support for urgent and complex enterprise data requests by independently diagnosing issues across multiple systems, ensuring data accuracy and compliance, and guiding staff in applying best-practice data management methods.
Tasks include:
Independently triage incoming data requests from program staff by evaluating scope, required data sources, and risk; assign tasks to appropriate team members based on expertise and capacity; and ensure timely, accurate responses consistent with established service-level expectations.
Conduct advanced root cause analysis to diagnose complex non-routine data quality issues across multiple systems; collaborate with system owners to correct upstream causes; and determine when remediation requires deviation from routine solutions or development of new methods.
Design, implement, and optimize automated validation and cleansing routines within ETL processes to resolve inconsistencies, missing values, and structural defects; introduce improvements that strengthen enterprise data integrity and reduce recurring failures.
Provide senior-level coaching and mentorship to junior staff by sharing advanced data management techniques, reviewing work for accuracy and completeness, delivering training, and developing documentation that supports staff growth and consistent application of enterprise data standards.

Architect and lead the enterprise data governance operating model and strategy. Provide advanced technical leadership in agency data governance initiatives by independently applying and improving data management standards, supporting the IT Data Manager in developing and implementing the strategic data frameworks, and ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and regulatory requirements.
Tasks include:
Define, implement, and maintain the enterprise data governance framework, including the operating model (roles, responsibilities, councils, decision rights, and stewardship), as well as enterprise-wide data standards and procedures for metadata, data quality, retention, access, and classification. Collaborate with agency policy, privacy, and security leaders to support and operationalize established policies, standards, and procedures, and maintain the enterprise data domain taxonomy, business glossary, and authoritative data sources.
Lead and actively participate in data governance councils and working groups, applying advanced knowledge to align standards, enforce compliance, and resolve complex issues across divisions.
Document, maintain, and enhance enterprise data architecture standards and models, ensuring they guide system development, integration, and modernization efforts in accordance with best practices and organizational needs.
Support and improve the implementation of agency data governance frameworks by independently evaluating alignment with established policies, identifying gaps, and recommending process improvements to strengthen compliance and data quality.

Lead the implementation, adoption, and continuous improvement of the enterprise metadata, data catalog, and lineage platform, ensuring governance standards, secure integration, and organization-wide adoption.
Tasks include:
Lead tool evaluation and selection (RFI/RFP), ensuring alignment with WaTech standards, security, privacy, and interoperability.
Design target architecture and integration patterns for metadata, catalog, and lineage services across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments.
Implement automated ingestion pipelines to inventory and maintain metadata for datasets across SharePoint, Smartsheet, databases, file shares, and enterprise applications.
Establish and enforce data classification, tagging, access controls, and role-based security integrated with enterprise identity management.
Lead cross-division engagement to inventory data assets, translate business needs into governance artifacts, and drive adoption of enterprise standards and catalog practices.
Develop onboarding playbooks, training, guidance, and reference materials; mentor data stewards and technical staff on governance standards and platform capabilities.
Establish review cycles, audits, and quality checks to monitor compliance, remediate gaps, and continuously improve metadata quality, lineage, and platform adoption.
Provide senior technical leadership to resolve complex cross-system metadata, lineage, and non-routine data quality issues, and report progress, risks, and recommendations to IT leadership and executive sponsors.

Qualifications

Required Position Qualifications:Eight (8) years of combined professional IT experience in the following IT disciplines:
1. Enterprise data management - Designing, implementing, and overseeing organization-wide data systems and platforms, ensuring data is acquired, stored, integrated, and retrieved securely and efficiently to support business operations and decision-making.
2. Data governance - Establishing and enforcing data policies, standards, and practices that ensure data quality, integrity, privacy, and compliance across all IT systems, while leading cross-functional initiatives to align data management with regulatory and strategic requirements.
3. Data architecture - Planning, designing, and modernizing the structural framework for enterprise data systems, integrating emerging technologies and aligning platforms with organizational goals to enable scalable, interoperable, and future-ready data solutions.
OR
Associate's degree in IT or related field and at least six (6) years of relevant professional experience.
OR
Bachelor's degree or higher in Information Technology , Computer Science, Data Science, or a closely related field and at least four (4) years of recent professional experience in enterprise data management, data analysis, or data architecture.
AND
6 years of experience with database technologies, ETL processes, data management tools, and statistical analysis software.
Experience in resolving non-routine data quality issues, implementing validation and cleansing routines, and supporting compliance with privacy and regulatory requirements.
Experience leading cross-division enterprise data governance and platform initiatives, including hands-on implementing and integrating data catalog, metadata, and lineage solutions across hybrid environments (e.g., Microsoft/Azure ecosystems), while developing policies, standards, taxonomies, and business glossaries, and driving organizational adoption through training, change management, and technical leadership.

Required Position Competencies: Experience collaborating with cross-divisional teams and mentoring junior staff.
Effective communication skills, including the ability to document standards, present findings, and provide technical guidance to program staff.
Use knowledge and understanding of the organizational and political climate to make decisions and take actions that recognize, appreciate, and value diverse interests.
Develop innovative ideas that provide solutions to workplace challenges.
Ability to take action to learn and grow.
Ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications: Experience working in or with Washington State government agencies, with knowledge of statewide IT policies, WaTech standards, and legislative data mandates
Valid IT Data Certifications (DAMA-DMBOK, CDMP, etc.)
Valid Professional Certifications (TOGAF, ITIL, MCSE, etc.)
Azure Trainings/Certifications
Experience implementing Microsoft Purview, Collibra, Alation, or equivalent catalog/lineage platforms.

To be considered for this position the following are needed:

• A complete and detailed online application.
• A cover letter (enter online) - that details how your skills and experience make you an ideal candidate for this position
• At least three professional references (enter online).

For questions about this recruitment, please contact our recruitment team via email: - please reference the job number in your message.
Supplemental Information

Work from Anywhere in Washington State
This position may be located anywhere within Washington State though occasional travel to a Commerce office building or in-state travel to attend events or meetings may be required. If selected, you will need to travel to pick up equipment and receive instruction. Many Commerce employees work remotely or have a hybrid schedule.

This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies over the next 60 days.

Technical support is provided by NEOGOV, (can't log in, password or email issues, error messages). DES job seeker support may answer general questions regarding the recruiting system at

Our Commitment to Equal Opportunity
The Washington State Department of Commerce is an equal opportunity employer. We strive to create a working environment that includes and respects cultural, racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and gender identity diversity. Women, racial and ethnic minorities, persons of disability, persons over 40 years of age, veterans or people with military status, and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are encouraged to apply. Persons needing accommodation in the application, testing, or interview process or this job announcement in an alternative format may email Human Resources at Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or 1-.

Department of Commerce also offers a competitive benefits package including: medical and dental insurance benefits, retirement and deferred compensation plans, 11 paid holidays each year, 14-25 vacation days per year (depending on length of employment), 8 hours of sick leave per month (if full time employed), bereavement leave, an employee assistance program, as well as other benefits. Please see the Benefits Tab for more details.
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.

Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.

Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave
Leave Sharing

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026
01

Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you now, or will you in the future, require sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H-1B visa status, etc.) to work legally for our agency in the United States?

• Yes
• No

03

In the space below, please write a formal cover letter describing your interest and how you meet the specific qualifications for this position.
04

How many years of post-high school equivalent formal education (including college-level coursework, technical and/or vocational education, and/or certification programs.) involving Information Technology, Computer Science, Data Science or a closely related field do you have?

• Less than 1 year
• More than 1 year but less than 2 years
• More than 2 years but less than 3 years
• More than 3 years but less than 4 years
• More than 4 years but less than 5 years
• More than 5 years but less than 6 years
• 6 or more years

05

How many years of professional IT experience in the following IT disciplines do you have: 1. Enterprise data management - Designing, implementing, and overseeing organization-wide data systems and platforms, ensuring data is acquired, stored, integrated, and retrieved securely and efficiently to support business operations and decision-making. 2. Data governance - Establishing and enforcing data policies, standards, and practices that ensure data quality, integrity, privacy, and compliance across all IT systems, while leading cross-functional initiatives to align data management with regulatory and strategic requirements. 3. Data architecture - Planning, designing, and modernizing the structural framework for enterprise data systems, integrating emerging technologies and aligning platforms with organizational goals to enable scalable, interoperable, and future-ready data solutions.

• I do not have this experience
• Less than 1 year
• More than 1 year but less than 2 years
• More than 2 years but less than 3 years
• More than 3 years but less than 4 years
• More than 4 years but less than 5 years
• More than 5 years but less than 6 years
• More than 6 years but less than 7 years
• More than 7 years but less than 8 years
• 8 or more years

06

If you indicated experience in any of the areas listed above, please describe the specific disciplines you have worked in, how you gained this experience, where it was acquired, and when. This information must also be reflected in the work history section of your application.. (If you answered no, please type N/A in the text box below.)
07

Do you have at least 6 years of experience with database technologies, ETL processes, data management tools, and statistical analysis software?

• Yes
• No

08

If you indicated experience in any of the areas listed above, please describe the specific disciplines you have worked in, how you gained this experience, where it was acquired, and when. This information must also be reflected in the work history section of your application.. (If you answered no, please type N/A in the text box below.)
09

Do you have experience in resolving non-routine data quality issues, implementing validation and cleansing routines, and supporting compliance with privacy and regulatory requirements?

• Yes
• No

10

If you indicated experience in any of the areas listed above, please describe the specific disciplines you have worked in, how you gained this experience, where it was acquired, and when. This information must also be reflected in the work history section of your application.. (If you answered no, please type N/A in the text box below.)
11

Do you have experience leading cross-division enterprise data governance and platform initiatives, including hands-on implementing and integrating data catalog, metadata, and lineage solutions across hybrid environments (e.g., Microsoft/Azure ecosystems), while developing policies, standards, taxonomies, and business glossaries, and driving organizational adoption through training, change management, and technical leadership?

• Yes
• No

12

If you indicated experience in any of the areas listed above, please describe the specific disciplines you have worked in, how you gained this experience, where it was acquired, and when. This information must also be reflected in the work history section of your application.. (If you answered no, please type N/A in the text box below.)
13

Do you have experience developing and implementing enterprise data governance artifacts, including metadata standards, data classification standards, business glossaries, taxonomies, or data stewardship processes?

• Yes
• No

14

If you indicated experience in any of the areas listed above, please describe the specific disciplines you have worked in, how you gained this experience, where it was acquired, and when. This information must also be reflected in the work history section of your application. (If you answered no, please type N/A in the text box below.)
15

Do you have hands-on experience implementing an enterprise data catalog, metadata management, or data lineage platform (such as Microsoft Purview, Collibra, Alation, or an equivalent platform)?

• Yes
• No

16

If you indicated experience in any of the areas listed above, please describe the specific disciplines you have worked in, how you gained this experience, where it was acquired, and when. This information must also be reflected in the work history section of your application. (If you answered no, please type N/A in the text box below.)
17

Describe your experience designing or implementing automated metadata discovery, data inventory, or data asset onboarding processes across multiple systems, such as databases, SharePoint, file shares, cloud platforms, or enterprise applications.
18

Please describe how you meet the required position competencies. If you do not, please type N/A in the text box below.
19

Please describe how you meet the Desired Qualifications. If you do not, please type N/A in the text box below.
20

As a condition of employment, I understand and agree that I must reside in the state of Washington prior to or on the first day of state employment.

• Yes
• No

21

Are you a current or former employee of the state of Washington?

• Yes
• No

22

If you answered yes to the question above, what is the agency you are currently or formerly with? If you answered no, please type N/A.
23

Please select the option below that best indicates where you heard about this job opportunity.

• ;/li>
• Aggregate job search website (Indeed.com, Simplyhired.com)
• Department of Commerce website
• Department of Commerce employee
• Social Media (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter)

Required Question