Technical Architect – Data & Analytics

Location : Newport Beach, CA 92660

Job description :

We are looking for a seasoned Technical Architect to own end-to-end solution architecture for an enterprise’s large-scale, multi-wave data modernization program. You will design and govern a Snowflake + AWS S3 + Matillion + dbt platform built on medallion architecture principles, define the ACORD-based enterprise data model, and set the technical standards that all delivery workstreams will follow. Hands-on architecture role – you will be deeply embedded in the delivery team, not a distant reviewer. This engagement is a generational transformation – migrating 372 production database instances and 80+ source systems into a unified, governed, cloud-native data platform. The architecture you design will directly enable three of the client’s most critical strategic programs: real-time operations transformation, new business underwriting modernization, and Finance Oracle Cloud implementation. Getting the foundation right in Wave 1 determines whether Waves 2 and 3 can scale without re-platforming.

• Architecture & Solution Design –– Architect and deliver the enterprise data platform on Snowflake + AWS S3 using a medallion (Bronze–Silver–Gold) architecture, supporting 80+ source systems and 7-year historical migration; Design the ACORD Life & Annuity-based enterprise data model customized for insurance domains — Policy, Claims, Finance, Actuarial, Agent/Distribution, Customer/Party; Define the data mesh architecture with federated governance, domain ownership boundaries, and self-serve platform patterns for multi-wave delivery; Establish reusable ingestion templates (Matillion), dbt transformation frameworks, and Snowflake-native quality patterns (Data Metric Functions) as cross-program standards; Govern architecture decisions across all 5 parallel workstreams: Ingestion, Transformation, Data Quality/DRE, Consumption, and Governance/MDM
• Data Platform & Engineering Standards –– Design the data ingestion strategy for structured (SQL Server CDC, Oracle, SFTP, APIs) and unstructured (EHR, APS notes, underwriting documents) source systems; Define dbt project structure, modular macro patterns, and Git-integrated version control standards for all transformation logic; Architect the Collibra integration strategy — automated catalog, end-to-end lineage (Matillion $B”*(B dbt $B”*(B Snowflake $B”*(B Tableau/Power BI), business glossary, and certification workflows; Specify the Profisee MDM integration architecture — bi-directional Snowflake Silver layer synchronization, golden record publishing, and insurance-specific match/merge patterns
• AI-Driven Delivery & Acceleration –– Embed WinWire’s WinAIDM AI accelerator framework into the delivery model — AI-powered ingestion, quality validation, dbt transformation, and test case generation; Guide adoption of Snowflake Cortex AI capabilities (AI_EXTRACT, AI_CLASSIFY, AI_COMPLETE) for unstructured data processing within the platform’s security perimeter; Define the CI/CD quality gate architecture — automated dbt tests, reconciliation validation (99.9%+ match), performance benchmarks, and lineage completeness checks; Champion AI-augmented engineering practices (GitHub Copilot, LLM-based accelerators) to drive 40–50% reduction in development effort across the team
• Technical Leadership & Governance –– Lead technical design reviews, architecture decision records (ADRs), and code standards across all engineering workstreams; Mentor senior engineers, technical leads, and data modelers — building a high-performing delivery team capable of sustaining the platform post-engagement; Drive the Data Reliability Engineering (DRE) framework: SLO/SLI definition, error budgets, automated monitoring, and incident response patterns for all certified data products; Participate in the three-tier governance model — representing architecture at Program Management and Steering Committee levels
• Client Engagement –– Translate complex technical architecture into clear, decision-ready recommendations for client technology and business stakeholders; Proactively surface trade-offs (performance vs. cost, speed vs. governance) and recommend options — acting as a trusted guide, not just an executor; Collaborate with the customer’s data engineering, infrastructure, and domain SME teams to align platform decisions to business outcomes
• 12+ years in data engineering and analytics with 3+ years in a solution/technical architect role on enterprise-scale programs; Deep, hands-on expertise in Snowflake — query optimization, clustering, Data Metric Functions, Snowpipe, Streams, and native AI capabilities; Experience in Platform Architecture, Snowflake Data Mesh, AI-Augmented Delivery and Enterprise-Scale Modernization
• Key Skills – Snowflake, AWS S3, Matillion, dbt (data build tool), Collibra, Profisee MDM, Python, SQL, Snowflake Cortex AI, WinAIDM, SnowConvert AI, Tableau, Power BI, CI/CD (DevOps), Git, ACORD Data Model
• Proven experience designing medallion/lake house architectures with AWS S3 as the raw data lake layer
• Strong command of dbt — project structure, macros, testing frameworks, and CI/CD integration
• Experience architecting data governance solutions using Collibra — Catalog, lineage, business glossary, and certification workflows
• Demonstrated ability to lead multi-wave, multi-workstream data modernization programs in a regulated (insurance, healthcare, or financial services) environment
• Hands-on experience migrating legacy ETL (Informatica or SSIS) to modern dbt/Matillion pipelines
• Bachelor$B!G(Bs or Master$B!G(Bs degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related technical discipline
• Strong communication skills—ability to explain technical concepts clearly; Proactive, ownership-driven mindset with high accountability; Ability to collaborate across engineering, operations, and support teams; Adaptability to fast-paced iterative environments
• Secondary Skills Familiarity with ACORD Life & Annuity data standards and insurance domain concepts (Policy, Claims, Actuarial, Reinsurance); Experience with Profisee MDM or equivalent enterprise MDM platforms; SnowPro Advanced certification (Data Engineer or Architect); Exposure to Snowflake Cortex AI, AI-assisted development tools (GitHub Copilot, Azure OpenAI), or LLM-based data engineering accelerators