Sr. Data Architect

Database Architect to lead database modernization initiatives and design scalable, performant enterprise-grade database and data lake solutions for large-scale platforms. This role is primarily focused on designing modern database and data lake architectures, modernizing legacy SQL Server and MySQL database structures to AWS-based platforms, and architecting integrated solutions combining on-premise and AWS SaaS services. As a secondary responsibility, the Database Architect will oversee operational database management and lead a team of contract resources supporting 24/7 database operations.

Primary Focus: Database Architecture, Data Lake Design & Modernization

The ideal candidate is deeply hands-on, with extensive experience designing and implementing complex database and data lake solutions. They will modernize legacy SQL Server and MySQL databases to modern AWS-based platforms while minimizing downtime and operational risk, and architect scalable data lake solutions integrating existing on-premise SSIS-based data warehousing with AWS cloud services.

Duties and Responsibilities – Database Design and Architecture

Architecture Focus of the Role:

• Design and architect enterprise database solutions for large-scale data platforms on AWS
• Lead database modernization initiatives, transitioning SQL Server and MySQL databases from on-premise to AWS-based architectures
• Create detailed database design specifications, data models, and performance optimization strategies
• Architect scalable data lake solutions combining on-premise SSIS-based data warehousing with AWS cloud services
• Design advanced analytics and reporting databases leveraging AWS services (RDS, Aurora, Redshift, S3, Athena, Glue)
• Architect multi-source data integration solutions consolidating SQL Server, MySQL, and third-party data sources
• Design and implement schema optimization, indexing strategies, and query optimization frameworks for high-performance databases
• Lead database architecture reviews and technical design evaluations prior to implementation

Key Responsibilities – Architecture: SQL Server and MySQL migrations to AWS

• Develop detailed database design documents, architecture decision records, and technical specifications
• Assess legacy SQL Server and MySQL database environments, identify modernization opportunities, and design AWS-based solutions (RDS, Aurora, DMS)
• Architect scalable data lake solutions integrating existing on-premise SSIS data warehousing with AWS SaaS services
• Design multi-source data ingestion and transformation pipelines consolidating SQL Server, MySQL, and external data sources
• Architect multi-tier database solutions optimized for performance, scalability, and cost across AWS services
• Design advanced data models, schema patterns, and optimization strategies for complex database and data lake environments
• Create database capacity planning and scalability roadmaps aligned with business growth and data volume projections
• Design disaster recovery and high-availability architectures at the database level with AWS RDS multi-AZ and backup strategies
• Collaborate with application, infrastructure, and cloud teams to coordinate database modernization timelines and dependencies
• Ensure data security, compliance, and governance throughout the database architecture lifecycle
• Build and support advanced data engineering tools and frameworks like AWS Firehose, Athena, Glue, EMR, and data lake technologies
• Build and support advanced data engineering tools and frameworks like Firehose, SQTables, Athena, EMR

Secondary Focus: Database Operations & 24/7 Support Management

As a secondary responsibility, the Database Architect will oversee operational database management and manage contract resources to ensure 24/7 database availability and performance.

Duties and Responsibilities- Operations

Operational Focus:

• Resolve performance issues in large, poorly designed or heavily constrained databases
• Oversee SQL query optimization, indexing strategies, and performance tuning
• Lead operational database management and optimization of AWS-based cloud platforms
• Manage proactive and reactive troubleshooting and operational risk mitigation

Key Responsibilities- Operations:

• Lead and manage contract resources supporting 24/7 database operations and monitoring
• Develop operational runbooks, playbooks, and escalation procedures for database support
• Oversee database health monitoring, performance analysis, and proactive maintenance
• Establish performance baselines and SLAs for operational databases
• Lead incident response and root cause analysis for critical database issues
• Mentor and support contract resources on database administration best practices
• Coordinate on-call scheduling and resource allocation for 24/7 operations
• Ensure operational issues are documented and fed back into architecture improvements

Contract Resource Management:

• Recruit, onboard, and manage contract resources for 24/7 database operations support
• Develop training programs and documentation for contract database administrators
• Define roles, responsibilities, and escalation paths for contract team members
• Conduct performance reviews and quality assurance of contract resource work
• Manage contract lifecycle, renewals, and resource optimization
• Establish metrics and KPIs for contract resource performance and efficiency

Qualifications

Senior-level experience as a Database Architect or Database Administrator:

• Strong, hands-on expertise designing and implementing enterprise database architectures on AWS (10-15+ years)
• Extensive, proven experience with Microsoft SQL Server and MySQL database design, optimization, and migration( 7+ years)
• Deep experience with AWS database services (RDS, Aurora, DMS) and data lake architecture(7+ years)
• Proven track record designing and optimizing large-scale databases in AWS cloud environments
• Experience designing data lake solutions and integrating on-premise data warehousing with cloud platforms

Experience designing large-scale database architectures and modernization efforts, including:

• SQL Server and MySQL databases in the 10-50TB+ range
• Legacy SQL Server and MySQL on-premise to AWS cloud database migrations
• Complex multi-tier database architectures across AWS services
• Data lake architecture design and implementation on AWS (S3, Glue, Athena, Redshift)
• SSIS-based data warehousing solutions and modernization strategies
• AWS cloud database services (RDS, Aurora, DMS, Redshift, Glue, Athena)

Extensive experience working with:

• Legacy SQL Server and MySQL databases requiring architectural redesign and cloud migration
• Deep expertise in SQL optimization, indexing strategies, and performance tuning for both on-premise and AWS databases
• Large-scale database administration and AWS cloud platform management
• AWS database services and cloud architecture design (RDS, Aurora, DMS, Redshift, S3, Glue, Athena, Firehose)
• SSIS-based data warehousing solutions and modern AWS data lake architectures
• Data integration and ETL pipeline design across heterogeneous database sources

Additional Qualifications

Leadership & Communication:

• Ability to articulate complex database architecture concepts to technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Demonstrated leadership in managing technical teams and contract resources
• Strong documentation and communication skills for architecture design and operational procedures
• Ability to balance architecture innovation with operational stability

Cloud & Migration Expertise:

• AWS Solutions Architect certification is a plus
• Experience with AWS Database Migration Service (DMS) and related migration tools
• Track record of leading successful SQL Server and MySQL to AWS migration programs
• Experience with data warehouse modernization (SSIS to AWS Glue/Athena)
• Experience with database migration tools and frameworks

Data Lake & Modern Architecture:

• Experience designing data lakes on AWS (S3 data lake architecture, Apache Iceberg, Delta Lake)
• Knowledge of polyglot persistence architectures and multi-engine data platforms

Operations & Cost Optimization:

• Experience with database cost optimization and resource management
• AWS cost optimization experience for database and data lake services
• Knowledge of database security, compliance, and governance frameworks
• Experience with CI/CD and Infrastructure as Code (IaC) for database deployments

Direct Reports

• TBD

Must be able to pass a pre-employment drug screening.

Benefits

We understand that your role at DCLI is only part of who you are. Our comprehensive compensation and benefits package provide resources for you to be your best self, grow professionally and personally, and reach your full potential.

• Excellent health, dental, and vision insurance options for you and your family
• Ample PTO and paid holidays
• 401k with company match
• Flexibility to support a healthy work-life balance
• Wellness resources
• Company-sponsored parties, outings, and other perks

Development Opportunities

At DCLI, you’ll find that everyone – from your coworkers and managers to the senior leadership team – wants to see you succeed and there are opportunities available for you to develop in your current role and prepare to take that next step in your career:

• Tuition reimbursement
• Internal training and educational resources
• Quarterly and annual awards for outstanding performance
• Pathways to promotions and access to advice, feedback, and mentorship
• Participation in professional organizations
• Internships