OverviewGDC IT Solutions is currently seeking an
Data Platform Architect to work in a hybrid capacity, with 3-4 days on-site per month in Harrisburg, PA.
GDC IT Solutions is currently seeking an
Data Platform Architect to provide technical leadership in the development and continual evolution of the Commonwealth's enterprise data platforms. This position will design and engineer secure, scalable, cloud-based data products and shared services that enable agencies to modernize digital services, analytics, and AI capabilities through standardized, reusable enterprise solutions.
Responsibilities- Define the target architecture and multi-year roadmap for the Commonwealth's enterprise data platform in alignment with enterprise modernization initiatives.
- Design, engineer, and continually evolve scalable cloud-based data platforms and shared services that support multiple agencies and delivery teams.
- Build the initial MVP and mature the enterprise cloud data platform through standardized engineering practices, operational guardrails, and reusable capabilities.
- Design secure multi-tenant environments capable of supporting multiple agencies while addressing data co-mingling, isolation, and governance considerations.
- Establish enterprise engineering standards, implementation patterns, automation practices, and operational processes for data platform development and management.
- Design and implement reusable platform services and onboarding patterns that enable agencies to consume standardized enterprise capabilities rather than develop agency-specific solutions.
- Partner with CISO, Cloud Engineering, Governance, Risk, and Compliance teams to integrate IAM, RBAC, encryption, auditing, and other enterprise security controls into cloud data platforms.
- Develop data products identified by Product teams and establish infrastructure capable of supporting AI and advanced analytics initiatives.
- Implement modern DevSecOps practices and champion a shift-left approach to security throughout the platform engineering lifecycle.
- Promote API-first, product-based approaches to enterprise information sharing and data service delivery.
- Evaluate emerging technologies and determine how they can be incorporated while maintaining architectural consistency and enterprise standards.
- Develop and promote engineering best practices across enterprise data platform teams.
- Collaborate with technology leaders, solution architects, data teams, and enterprise technology organizations to align modernization initiatives and deliver enterprise data products.
- Lead through influence by communicating complex technology concepts effectively to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Minimum Qualifications- 10+ years of experience building and supporting large-scale cloud data platforms.
- 7+ years of hands-on experience in modern data architecture, platform engineering, and cloud infrastructure.
- Proven experience designing and implementing enterprise-scale cloud data platforms supporting multiple teams, business units, or organizations.
- Strong experience designing and implementing enterprise security controls for cloud data platforms, including Identity and Access Management (IAM) and Role-Based Access Control (RBAC).
- Proven hands-on experience building and operating cloud infrastructure using Infrastructure as Code, such as Terraform or equivalent technologies.
- Hands-on experience implementing modern DevSecOps practices, including integrating security throughout the software and platform development lifecycle.
- Experience with modern data and cloud platforms such as Snowflake, Databricks, AWS, Azure, and containerized applications.
- Experience partnering with Cloud Engineering, CISO, and Governance, Risk, and Compliance teams to implement security controls while maintaining clear ownership boundaries.
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Systems Programming, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience.
- Strong ability to communicate complex technology concepts to non-technical audiences and enterprise stakeholders.
- Experience building an enterprise data platform from the ground up and evolving it from an MVP into a mature shared enterprise capability.
- Experience designing reusable enterprise platform patterns and shared services rather than developing individual agency or business-unit solutions.
- Experience supporting data platforms across multiple agencies, business units, or enterprise delivery teams.
- Experience developing AI-ready data infrastructure and enterprise data products.
- Experience establishing enterprise onboarding patterns that enable organizations to adopt shared cloud data services.
- Experience with API-first architectures and product-based approaches to enterprise information sharing.
- Experience evaluating emerging cloud and data technologies while maintaining enterprise architectural standards and consistency.
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional technical initiatives through influence without direct reports.
