Data Architect

Job Summary:

The Senior Data Architect will lead the design and integration of data systems supporting the Digital Regulatory Assurance System (DRAS) for the Government of Alberta. This role focuses on architecting data flows and governance between DRAS, a Databricks-based Data Management Platform, and the Alberta Geospatial Platform to deliver trusted, timely, and reusable regulatory, environmental, and spatial data. The position requires collaboration within a multidisciplinary agile team to ensure high-quality architecture that supports environmental regulatory outcomes across Alberta.
Responsibilities:

• Define and maintain target-state data architecture integrating DRAS, Databricks Data Management Platform, and Alberta Geospatial Platform.
• Design conceptual, logical, and physical data models for regulatory, environmental, and geospatial data domains.
• Establish appropriate integration patterns including batch, near-real-time, event-driven, API-based, and change data capture.
• Design Databricks lakehouse structures including medallion layers, Delta Lake tables, and Unity Catalog organization.
• Architect spatial data flows preserving geometry, coordinate systems, and spatial accuracy across platforms.
• Lead design of data pipelines and interfaces, collaborating with data engineers and developers.
• Define data contracts, API specifications, and interface agreements between system owners.
• Resolve complex integration challenges related to data quality, schema changes, latency, and dependencies.
• Participate in agile ceremonies and translate architecture into actionable user stories.
• Embed data governance practices including metadata management, lineage, classification, and master data management.
• Ensure compliance with Government of Alberta security, privacy, and records management standards.
• Define data quality rules, validation frameworks, and monitoring approaches.
• Apply role-based access controls and data-sharing policies based on data sensitivity.
• Serve as trusted advisor to leadership, product owners, and technical teams on data architecture.
• Collaborate with business areas to translate regulatory processes into data requirements.
• Coordinate with enterprise architecture, cybersecurity, and other ministries to align with standards and roadmaps.
• Produce clear architecture documentation, diagrams, and decision records.
• Mentor team members and promote best practices in data architecture.

Required Skills:

• University degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, Geomatics, or related field.
• 7+ years progressive experience in data architecture, engineering, or integration; at least 3 years as a data architect.
• Hands-on experience with Databricks, including Delta Lake, Spark (PySpark/SQL), and Unity Catalog.
• Strong data modeling skills (relational, dimensional, lakehouse).
• Experience designing enterprise integration patterns: REST APIs, ETL/ELT, event streaming, change data capture.
• Experience with cloud data platforms, preferably Microsoft Azure services (Data Lake Storage, Data Factory, Event Hubs, Key Vault).
• Experience with ServiceNow Integration.
• Public sector experience, ideally with government regulatory systems or programs.
• Experience integrating with geospatial platforms and working knowledge of geospatial data concepts, formats, and standards.
• Solid understanding of data governance, metadata management, data quality, and data security principles.
• Experience working in agile delivery teams in the public sector.
• Excellent communication skills to explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences.

Desired Skills:

• Proven ability to navigate complex government regulatory environments.
• Strong leadership and mentoring capabilities.
• Experience producing clear, comprehensive architecture documentation and decision records.
• Ability to build collaborative environments across multiple teams and ministries.
• Competency in creative problem solving and adapting to evolving technologies.

Rated Criteria:

• Financial/Pricing: 5%
• Resource Qualifications: 35%
• Interview Process: 60%

Total: 100 Points Deliverables:

• Target-state data architecture documentation and models.
• Data integration designs, including pipeline and API specifications.
• Data governance frameworks and quality validation approaches.
• Architecture diagrams and decision records.
• Agile user stories derived from architecture for development teams.
• Mentorship and knowledge sharing within the team.

Must Haves:

• Ability to work remotely within Canada with standard Alberta working hours.
• Successful completion of background and criminal record checks.
• Completion of mandatory training including privacy, cybersecurity, information management, and workplace respect.
• Provision of all necessary workspace infrastructure and equipment compliant with remote access requirements.
• Resume detailing required experience with clear context and dates.
• Three professional references for similar work, with the most recent listed first.

Public Sector Experience:

Preferred