Data Architect

Nightwing Sa (Pty) Ltd - Sterling, VA

Full-time - Senior

Sterling, VA

About the position

The Data Architect at Nightwing will play a crucial role in building a new technology stack and designing innovative data products and solutions for Defense and US Intelligence clients. This position involves leveraging modern data strategies, including data mesh and artificial intelligence, to create robust architectures that enable effective data asset utilization. The role is essential for translating complex business needs into technical solutions, ensuring data integration, performance, and integrity within the company's tech ecosystem.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of the new technology stack aligned with modern data strategies.
• Develop and design innovative data products and solutions for Defense and US Intelligence clients.
• Collaborate with senior management and cross-functional teams to understand business requirements and strategic objectives.
• Implement flexible, high-performance data architectures using data mesh principles.
• Integrate AI and machine learning capabilities into data architectures for enhanced analytics and decision-making.
• Oversee the entire data lifecycle from requirements gathering to ongoing optimization.
• Ensure seamless integration of new data solutions with existing systems using APIs and microservices.
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to data engineering teams.
• Conduct regular reviews of existing data architectures for optimization and modernization.
• Stay updated on data management trends and evaluate emerging technologies.

Requirements

• 10+ years in data engineering, data governance, data analyst, or related roles.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience in data architecture and management.
• Proficiency in data modeling, database design, and data warehousing.
• Deep understanding of data security, governance, and quality principles.
• Strong knowledge of cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure) and cloud-native data services.
• Experience integrating AI and machine learning frameworks into data architectures.
• Experience in building and scaling new technology stacks from the ground up.
• Strong leadership and communication skills to articulate complex concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
• Adaptability and resilience in a dynamic organizational environment.

Nice-to-haves

• Familiarity with big data technologies (e.g. Spark, Kafka, BigQuery, NoSQL databases).
• Experience with enterprise architecture frameworks (DoDAF, TOGAF, Zachman).
• Working knowledge of data mesh principles and technical applications.
• Experience with AI/ML platforms and tools (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, Azure ML).
• Proven track record in designing and deploying customer-focused data products.
• Experience with cloud-native architectures supporting scalable data solutions.
• Certifications: DAMA CDMP; Cloud Data/Architect Certs (AWS, Azure, GCP SA/PCA/DE); Agile (SAFe, ACP, CSM).
• Industry experience in Defense, Intelligence, or related sectors.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Short-term disability
• Long-term disability
• 401(k) match
• Flexible spending accounts
• Flexible work schedules
• Employee assistance program
• Employee Scholar Program
• Parental leave
• Paid time off
• Holidays