Solution Architect - Data PlatformsThe Solution Architect - Data Platforms owns the current and target-state architecture for RSM's analytical and data platform ecosystem, servicing both our internal and client-facing business units. This role evolves the core data platform stack, partners with the Solution Architect - Data Solutions Architect on canonical models and inbound contracts and represents platform architecture in ARB and steering committee reviews.
Key Responsibilities- Own the enterprise data platform architecture, including lakehouse/medallion (bronze/silver/gold) layering for the analytical platform serving Assurance, Consulting, Tax, and cross-LOB portfolios.
- Evaluate and recommend platform technologies for storage, compute, and orchestration (e.g., Databricks, Snowflake, Azure Synapse/Fabric, ADLS), producing architecture decision records for steering committee review.
- Design ingestion, ELT/ETL, and orchestration patterns spanning batch, micro-batch, and workloads.
- Adhere to data governance and catalog architecture, partnering with data stewardship on lineage, classification, and data quality using Microsoft Purview.
- Establish reference architecture and platform standards, including access controls, data residency, SOC 2 / SOX compliance, and IRS 7216 requirements.
- Partner with the Solution Architect - Data Solutions Architect to align canonical data models, conformed dimensions, and integration contracts feeding the platform.
- Guide build-vs-buy decisions and platform proof-of-concepts, comparing target architecture options (e.g., Medallion vs. Kimball, Inmon, Data Vault 2.0, Data Mesh) and documenting trade-offs.
- Lead capacity and cost architecture for compute and storage, including FinOps considerations across cloud consumption.
- Maintain platform documentation: reference architecture, data flow diagrams, architecture decision records.
- Sponsor ARB submissions for platform-related initiatives and ensure adherence to enterprise architecture governance.
Qualifications & Experience- 8+ years of data/platform architecture experience, including at least 4 years designing enterprise-scale lakehouse or modern data warehouse platforms.
- Deep hands-on expertise with one or more modern platform stacks (e.g., Microsoft Fabric, Databricks).
- Strong understanding of medallion architecture, Data Mesh, and Data Vault 2.0 concepts and when each pattern applies.
- Experience with data governance tooling (Microsoft Purview or comparable) for cataloging, lineage, and classification.
- Familiarity with orchestration engines (e.g., ADF, Airflow) and streaming/change-data-capture approaches.
- Knowledge of data platform security architecture (RBAC, row/column-level security, data residency).
- Experience operating in regulated environments and adhering to SOC 2 / SOX control requirements.
- Strong communication skills; ability to present architecture options and trade-offs to steering committees and leadership.
- Prior experience partnering with integration and data modeling architects on canonical models and contracts.
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field, or equivalent experience.
At RSM, we offer a competitive benefits and compensation package for all our people. We offer flexibility in your schedule, empowering you to balance life's demands, while also maintaining your ability to serve clients. Learn more about our total rewards at https://rsmus.com/careers/working-at-rsm/benefits.
At RSM, an employee's pay at any point in their career is intended to reflect their experiences, performance, and skills for their current role. The salary range (or starting rate for interns and associates) for this role represents numerous factors considered in the hiring decisions including, but not limited to, education, skills, work experience, certifications, location, etc. As such, pay for the successful candidate(s) could fall anywhere within the stated range.
Compensation Range: $147,000 - $260,700
Individuals selected for this role will be eligible for a discretionary bonus based on firm and individual performance.
