Data and AI Architect

The Data & AI Architect is Ascend Technologies’ technical owner of its enterprise data and AI platform. This person sets the roadmap and designs, builds, secures, and operates the data infrastructure supporting reporting, automation, and AI applications. They keep data trusted, protected, and ready to scale, working hands‑on across the database, pipelines, and AI integrations, and they chair the Data Governance Committee.

Over time, the role grows into the architectural authority for how Ascend uses data and AI: a partner to every team that builds on the platform.

This is a fully remote position

The Data & AI Architect is Ascend Technologies’ technical owner of its enterprise data and AI platform. This person sets the roadmap and designs, builds, secures, and operates the data infrastructure supporting reporting, automation, and AI applications. They keep data trusted, protected, and ready to scale, working hands‑on across the database, pipelines, and AI integrations, and they chair the Data Governance Committee.

Over time, the role grows into the architectural authority for how Ascend uses data and AI: a partner to every team that builds on the platform.

Ascend uses a modern, cloud-based data and analytics environment incorporating technologies such as PostgreSQL, Azure, and Python to support business intelligence, data integration, automation, and AI-enabled solutions. The environment emphasizes security, governance, and scalability. You will work alongside our Data Analytics and Reporting Lead and our engineering partners, and you will be the technical lead for what gets built.

Tools you’ll use:
PostgreSQL, dbt, Prefect, Azure, Python, Git Hub / Git Hub Actions, Power BI, Claude / Claude Code, MCP, n8n, Salesforce, Service Now, Sage Intacct, Paylocity.

• Own the platform roadmap and architecture, setting priorities and directing work across staff and engineering partners.
• Design and maintain dbt models, the semantic layer, and data quality tests that keep reported numbers trusted.
• Administer PostgreSQL, including performance, backup and recovery, and monitoring, and run automated, repeatable pipeline deployments (Prefect, Git Hub Actions) with no dependence on any one person’s machine or credentials.
• Manage security and access: implement appropriate access controls, data protection measures, encryption, and credential management practices.
• Chair the Data Governance Committee, working with system owners and data stewards to keep definitions, standards, and data quality current.
• Design and operate secure AI integrations, and guide the build of AI-native applications and automations from prototype to production.
• Other responsibilities as assigned by management

• Experience:
  
  At least 5+ years in data engineering, database administration, data architecture, or a similar role.
• PostgreSQL & SQL:
  Strong SQL and hands‑on database administration, including performance tuning, backup, and recovery.
• Modern Data Stack:
  Experience with dbt (or equivalent transformation tools) and orchestration tools such as Prefect or Airflow.
• Cloud:
  Working knowledge of Azure or a similar cloud, including networking and identity.
• Python:
  Able to build and maintain pipelines and automation in Python.
• CI/CD:
  Experience building automated deployment pipelines (Git Hub Actions or equivalent).
• AI Tooling:
  Hands‑on experience building with AI and LLM tools, such as AI coding assistants or LLM integrations.
• Security:
  Practical experience with role‑based access, encryption, and credential management.
• Communication:
  Able to lead cross‑functional groups and explain technical decisions to non‑technical audiences.

• C…