Lead Data Architect / BI Platform Lead is responsible for owning the end-to-end data platform, modernizing data ingestion, storage, and transformation layers, and guiding the evolution from traditional ETL to ELT-based approaches. The role requires 10+ years of experience in data engineering, data architecture, or platform ownership roles, with a strong understanding of data lakes, warehouses, and lakehouse patterns.
Key Highlights
Technical Skills Required
Benefits & Perks
Job Description
Job Title
Lead Data Architect / BI Platform Lead
Location
100% Remote (U.S. only) non sponsorship available
Compensation
$150,000–$200,000 base salary
Full-time, W2
2 round interview process
Overview
We are partnering with a employee owned mid-market financial services organization undergoing a major data platform modernization. This is a high-impact, hands-on leadership role for someone who wants true platform ownership rather than managing dashboards or sitting purely at the strategy layer.
This role sits at the intersection of architecture, delivery, and stakeholder alignment. You will own the data platform end to end while guiding the evolution from traditional ETL and warehouse patterns toward a modern ELT and lakehouse-oriented architecture.
This is a player-coach role. The hands-on percentage will fluctuate based on platform needs and roadmap shifts.
What You Will Own
- End-to-end ownership of the enterprise data platform
- Architecture and modernization of data ingestion, storage, and transformation layers
- Migration from legacy ETL patterns to ELT-based approaches
- Data lake and warehouse strategy, including platform selection and evolution
- BI enablement and downstream data consumption patterns
- Data governance, quality, and reliability in production systems
- Technical decision-making tied to cost, performance, and scalability
- Cross-functional alignment with engineering, analytics, and business stakeholders
Day-to-Day Reality
- Typical state: ~60% architecture, roadmap, and leadership
- Delivery phases or platform pivots: up to 80% hands-on
- Acts as the escalation point when data pipelines break or performance degrades
- Evaluates what should change versus what should remain stable
- Balances modernization with pragmatism and fiscal responsibility
What We’re Looking For
- 10+ years in data engineering, data architecture, or platform ownership roles
- Proven experience modernizing data platforms in production environments
- Real-world ETL to ELT transition experience (not theoretical)
- Strong understanding of data lakes, warehouses, and lakehouse patterns
- Experience with cloud data platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP)
- Comfort working across SQL-first environments, with Python as a supporting language
- Experience operating in regulated or data-sensitive environments preferred
- Ability to explain technical tradeoffs clearly to non-technical stakeholders
Nice to Have
- Experience with Databricks, Snowflake, or similar modern platforms
- Exposure to Azure Data Factory or comparable orchestration tools
- Prior ownership of governance or data quality frameworks
- Background in financial services, insurance, or adjacent industries
What This Is Not
- Not a BI Manager role
- Not a dashboards-only position
- Not a pure enterprise architect role removed from delivery
- Not a greenfield-only environment
Why This Role
- True platform ownership
- Long-term modernization mandate
- High trust and autonomy
- Ability to shape the next phase of a core data platform
- Stable organization with meaningful investment in data
- Great work life balance and incredible employee tenure on this team up to 25 years!
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