Senior Data Architect

About the Opportunity

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification, and is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required.

The Senior Data Architect is responsible for architecting Northeastern University’s transition from legacy data structures to a modern, scalable, AI‑ready data architecture. This role conducts deep assessments of existing systems—including Banner, Workday, Salesforce, Service Now, Snowflake, and Azure—and designs future‑state structures that support data products, analytics, automation, and AI/ML enablement. It establishes enterprise data standards, models, governance structures, and integration patterns, ensuring that data is trustworthy, discoverable, interoperable, secure, and prepared for advanced use cases such as RAG, vector search, semantic layers, and agentic workflows.

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• Ten or more years of progressive experience in data architecture, enterprise data modeling, or data engineering.
• Proven experience modernizing legacy data environments and designing cloud‑native, AI‑ready data architectures.
• Experience working with large, complex enterprise systems such as Banner, Workday, Salesforce, Service Now, Snowflake, and Azure.
• Demonstrated leadership in cross‑functional initiatives involving data governance, analytics, and platform modernization.
• Strong communication and data storytelling skills for senior leadership and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Effective collaborator with demonstrated ability to drive alignment across distributed teams.
• Strong problem‑solving, analytical thinking, and architectural documentation skills.
• Ability to set and enforce standards, patterns, reusable components, and governance practices.
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. The University is unable to sponsor for this role, now or in the future.

• Expertise in modern data architecture patterns (data products, lakehouse, domain‑driven design, semantic layers).
• Deep knowledge of Snowflake, Azure SQL, Databricks, or similar cloud data platforms.
• Proficiency with DBT, Fivetran, Informatica, or equivalent ELT/ETL tools.
• Experience with event‑driven and API‑based integrations (Kafka, Event Hub, microservices).
• Knowledge of AI/ML foundational components: vector databases, feature stores, RAG pipelines, metadata management.
• Strong understanding of data modeling (conceptual, logical, physical), master data management, and data quality frameworks.

Compensation Grade/

Pay Type:

114S. Expected Hiring Range: $ - $. Salary ranges reviewed regularly and are subject to change.

Northeastern University offers a comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees, including medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement, commuting, and transportation.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.