Solutions Architect – Data Architecture & Engineering

Position Description

Tacoma Public Utilities is looking for a Solution Architect – Data Architecture & Engineering, who is excited to design scalable data solutions, build reliable data pipelines, and help shape how data supports decision‑making across the organization. In this role, you’ll design and build the data architectures and pipelines that power TPU’s decision‑making, and fuel advanced analytics and AI efforts. You won’t just prepare data for others, you’ll play an active role in shaping the data foundations that will enable a more resilient future.

Your work directly influences how data flows, how people access it, and how we uncover deeper understanding across the organization. You’ll collaborate closely with business and technical teams, translating jargon into plain language and helping customers make smart data choices. And while you’ll bring solid foundational skills in data engineering, visualization, and architecture concepts, we’re excited to invest in your growth — whether that’s Snowflake, AWS, or diving further into advanced analytics and AI technologies.

• Data Architecture – Designs and develops data architectures, integrations, and pipelines that support analytics, reporting, operational needs, and future AI capabilities. Ensures solutions are reliable, scalable, secure, and aligned with TPU technology standards.
• Data Engineering – Builds and maintains data pipelines and engineering solutions that enable efficient movement, transformation, and availability of enterprise data. Develops documentation and technical practices that improve reliability, maintainability, and knowledge sharing.
• Subject Matter Expert – Serves as a trusted technical advisor for data architecture and engineering decisions. Partners with business and technical teams to evaluate solutions, recommend best practices, and translate complex technical concepts into practical outcomes.
• Community Participation – Maintains awareness of evolving data technologies, architecture practices, and industry trends. Shares knowledge with the broader data community and contributes to TPU’s continued growth in data maturity.
• Advanced Analytics & AI – Plays a hands‑on role in prepping data and partnering on analytics and AI work.

• Minimum Education: Bachelor’s degree in information technology or a directly related field.
• Minimum Experience: 5 years of data engineering, architecture, or administration experience that includes cloud data warehouse technology and AWS or Azure big data ecosystem experience, and prior senior, lead and/or supervisory level experience.
  • Equivalency: 1 year of experience = 1 year of education.

Annual Salary: $ – $

At the City of Tacoma, we’re on a mission to make our workforce as diverse and inclusive as the community we serve. We actively seek out candidates from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures. If you have a less traditional background, we want to hear about your transferrable skills and experience. We value a variety of perspectives and are excited to see what you bring to the table.