Who We're Looking ForWe're looking for a Senior Data Architect / Data Engineer to help lead a complex data transformation and migration initiative. This is a highly senior, architecture-heavy role focused on making sense of data across approximately 11 legacy systems and helping shape a unified or semi-unified data model.
The ideal candidate has strong data modeling judgment, can quickly understand messy and inconsistent source data, and knows when a canonical model makes sense versus when it will create unnecessary complexity. You'll also be expected to stay hands-on, writing and shipping scripts for migration and transformation while providing technical guidance to less experienced data team members.
Instead of the typical job description, here's a breakdown of the tasks and qualities we're looking for in our next team member:
Primary Responsibilities- Design and guide data architecture for a complex transformation and migration initiative spanning approximately 11 legacy systems.
- Analyze highly varied source data, potentially including roughly 400 form variants and source structures.
- Develop unified or semi-unified data models that balance consistency, flexibility, and long-term maintainability.
- Make thoughtful architectural decisions around canonical data models, mappings, transformations, and source-specific variations.
- Write and ship scripts quickly to support data migration, transformation, validation, and cleanup.
- Identify data quality issues, inconsistencies, and structural gaps across legacy systems and develop practical solutions.
- Collaborate with technical and business stakeholders to understand existing data structures and future-state requirements.
- Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior and mid-level data team members.
- Help establish patterns and best practices that reduce rework and support future data initiatives.
Skills and Qualifications- 8+ years of experience in data engineering, data architecture, or a closely related field.
- Strong experience designing data architecture and data models for complex enterprise environments.
- Proven experience working with legacy systems and large-scale data transformation or migration efforts.
- Strong understanding of relational data modeling, data structures, schemas, mappings, and normalization.
- Demonstrated ability to determine when a canonical data model is appropriate and when a more flexible approach is needed.
- Strong SQL skills and the ability to quickly write scripts for data transformation and migration.
- Experience with Google Cloud Platform (GCP) and cloud-based data environments.
- Comfortable working hands-on while also making high-level architectural decisions.
- Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to bring structure to ambiguous or messy data environments.
- Experience mentoring or advising other data engineers and helping less experienced team members grow.
- Experience with Git-based development workflows; GitLab experience is a plus.
- Excellent communication skills and the ability to explain complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or a related field is preferred.
- Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without current or future sponsorship.
What Makes Someone Successful in This Role- Thinks like an architect but isn't afraid to write the code.
- Enjoys solving messy, ambiguous data problems.
- Has strong judgment around data modeling and long-term maintainability.
- Can quickly understand unfamiliar legacy systems and identify patterns across inconsistent data.
- Balances architectural strategy with the ability to execute and deliver.
- Communicates clearly and enjoys mentoring other technical team members.
- Thinks ahead about scalability, maintainability, and avoiding unnecessary rework.
Where We're Looking For ItSchenectady, New York
100% Remote for the right candidate
Other InformationThe work hours will be approximately 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM EST depending on workload, with occasional flexibility required to support business-critical initiatives.
We work with security-conscious clients, therefore background checks may be required. Compensation is dependent upon experience, qualifications, and location.
