Senior Data Architect

About the Opportunity

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

Job Summary

The Senior Data Architect is responsible for architecting Northeastern University’s transition from legacy data structures to a modern, scalable, AI-ready data architecture. This role conducts deep assessments of existing systems-including Banner, Workday, Salesforce, ServiceNow, Snowflake, and Azure-and designs future-state structures that support data products, analytics, automation, and AI/ML enablement. Establishes enterprise data standards, models, governance structures, and integration patterns, ensuring that data is trustworthy, discoverable, interoperable, secure, and prepared for advanced use cases such as RAG, vector search, semantic layers, and agentic workflows.

*Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. The University is unable to work sponsor for this role, now or in the future.

Minimum Qualification

Knowledge and skills required for this position are typically acquired through the completion of a Bachelor's degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field and ten or more years of progressive experience in data architecture, enterprise data modeling, or data engineering.

• Proven experience modernizing legacy data environments and designing cloud-native, AI-ready data architectures.

• Experience working with large, complex enterprise systems (e.g., Banner, Workday, Salesforce, ServiceNow, Snowflake, Azure).

• Demonstrated leadership in cross-functional initiatives involving data governance, analytics, and platform modernization.

• Ability to translate complex technical concepts into business-aligned architectural decisions.

• Strong communication and data storytelling skills for senior leadership and non-technical stakeholders.

• Effective collaborator with demonstrated ability to drive alignment across distributed teams. Strong problem-solving, analytical thinking, and architectural documentation skills.

• Ability to set and enforce standards, patterns, reusable components, and governance practices.

Technical Competencies:

• Expertise in modern data architecture patterns (data products, lakehouse, domain-driven design, semantic layers).

• Deep knowledge of Snowflake, Azure SQL, Databricks, or similar cloud data platforms.

• Proficiency with DBT, Fivetran, Informatica, or equivalent ELT/ETL tools.

• Experience with event-driven and API-based integrations (Kafka, EventHub, microservices).

• Knowledge of AI/ML foundational components: vector databases, feature stores, RAG pipelines, metadata management.

• Strong understanding of data modeling (conceptual, logical, physical), master data management, and data quality frameworks.

Key Responsibilities

1) Modern Data Architecture & Strategy Development

• Assess existing data structures, integrations, and legacy platforms.

• Define the enterprise’s future-state data architecture aligned with AI, automation, and analytics needs.

• Establish standards, patterns, and reusable frameworks

2) Data Modeling, Products & Platform Enablement

• Create conceptual, logical, and physical data models across domains.

• Partner with data owners to deliver scalable data products.

• Support Snowflake, Azure, Salesforce, Banner, and ServiceNow data alignment

3) AI/ML Enablement & Advanced Capabilities

• Design datasets and metadata structures supporting AI, RAG, vector search, and agentic workflows.

• Collaborate with AI Studio and analytics teams to enable model training and inference at scale

4) Data Integration, Quality, and Governance

• Lead ingestion architecture, streaming frameworks, and API integrations.

• Implement data quality, lineage tracking, and governance practices.

• Support FERPA, GDPR, and institutional compliance.

5) Serve as trusted advisor to academic and administrative partners

• Communicate roadmaps and architectural decisions to ITS leadership

Position Type

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.

Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includesmedical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Compensation Grade/Pay Type:

Expected Hiring Range:

With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.