Azure Data Lead/ Architect

Title   : Senior Data Tech Lead 
Location: Houston, Tx
Duration: Contract

Description:
As a Data Tech Lead, you will provide end-to-end leadership across architecture, engineering, governance, and capability development.

You will:
•Deliver sustainable and innovative solutions to unlock value from data.
•Lead the architecture, Design and implementation of on-premises/cloud-based application development and Data solutions.
•Engage cross-functional teams to support project stakeholders in delivering data scope and operational excellence.
•Drive governance, metadata management, Data Modelling, cost optimization, high-volume performance tuning and agility in delivery.
•Engage effectively with senior leadership, resolve conflicts proactively, and represent the data organization with confidence and clarity.

Key Responsibilities
Leadership & Strategy
•Drive the architecture, design, and delivery of Data ecosystems for futuristic data platform.
•Define data product roadmaps and drive development of data solution using approved tech stack and related technologies.
•Align data engineering initiatives with long-term business and technology strategies.
•Provide technical leadership to ensure adherence to best practices, standards, and quality expectations.
Technical Oversight
•Lead data modelling and architecture using tools such as SAP PowerDesigner and WizDesign.
•Develop and optimize intelligent, AI augmented data pipelines across ADF, ADLS, Databricks, DLT, and Structured Streaming to enable high performance data delivery.
•OLTP schema design, normalization, indexing strategy, Performance tuning for transactional systems
•Transaction management, concurrency, deadlocks
•PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQL Server expertise (depending on company standards)
•Optimize Databricks workloads with a strong focus on performance and cost efficiency.
•Implement robust security, governance, lineage, and metadata controls using Unity Catalog.
•Troubleshoot pipeline issues, ensure high data quality, and enforce SLA compliance.

Governance & Quality Assurance
•Establish data governance frameworks covering security, privacy, quality, and lifecycle management.
•Monitor pipeline performance and lead root cause analysis for data and process issues.
•Drive CI/CD and touchless change management frameworks to enable seamless deployments.
4. Stakeholder Management
•Collaborate closely with PMs, BAs, Data Scientists, Architects, and business stakeholders.
•Translate complex technical concepts into business terms for executive audiences.
•Resolve conflicts and ensure alignment across strategic priorities.
•Stakeholder management & executive communication

Required Skills & Experience
Technical Expertise
•12–17 years of experience in data engineering, data architecture, or analytics platforms.
•Deep expertise in:
•Azure Data Engineering (ADF, ADLS, Databricks, , DLT), AZURE Function, SQL, REST/FAST API, LogicApps
•Databricks Delta Live Tables & Structured Streaming
•Unity Catalog governance and lineage
•Strong hands-on skills in SQL, Python, Spark/Scala.
•Strong experience in data modeling, data architecture, and metadata management.
•CI/CD for application delivery (Azure DevOps/GitHub Actions)
•Containerization (Docker), Kubernetes basics
•API gateway, reverse proxies, load balancing
•Solution Data Architecture,  Data Modeling tools like SAP PowerDesigner, BiZ Design
AI & Future-Ready Skills
•Working knowledge of AI/ML, GenAI, Agentic AI, and applying AI for data engineering automation.
•Ability to envision and build future-ready, scalable data ecosystems.
Soft Skills / Leadership Competencies
•Proven ability to lead mid-sized to large technical teams.
•Strong decision-making capabilities backed by data.
•Exceptional communication and executive presentation skills.
•Conflict management and stakeholder alignment experience.
•High accountability, ownership, and ability to drive independent outcomes.
•Adaptability and continuous learning mindset.

Nice to Have
•Experience with Kafka, Hadoop, Spark Streaming.
•Experience with workflow tools like Airflow, Azkaban, Luigi.
•Knowledge of PowerBI/QlikSense visualizations.
•Certifications in Azure Data Engineer, Databricks, AI/ML, or Data Science.
•Experience with GitHub/Azure DevOps, CI/CD, Agile/Kanban methodologies.
•Understanding of Freight Domain like Voyage Management, Chartering, Freight Pricing, Demurrage, Laytime, Port calls, Vessel scheduling
•Integration with RightAngle, Endur, Veson IMOS or internal Shell Freight systems
•Knowledge of T&S business processes