Data Architect

Location: Hampton Roads, VA (Hybrid)

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Data Modeler / Data Architect to join our growing data and analytics team in Hampton Roads, Virginia. This role is responsible for designing and maintaining enterprise data models that support transactional systems, real-time streaming platforms, and cloud-based analytics solutions. The ideal candidate has a strong foundation in relational database design, cloud data warehousing, and event-driven architecture, along with the ability to collaborate across engineering, analytics, and business teams to deliver scalable, high-quality data solutions.

This position offers the opportunity to influence enterprise data strategy while working with modern technologies including Microsoft SQL Server, PostgreSQL, Kafka, Google BigQuery, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP).

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, and maintain conceptual, logical, and physical data models for enterprise applications.
• Create normalized OLTP database schemas for Microsoft SQL Server and PostgreSQL environments.
• Design dimensional data models for cloud-based analytics platforms, including star schemas, slowly changing dimensions (SCD), partitioning, and clustering.
• Develop scalable event schemas for Apache Kafka, ensuring compatibility with Schema Registry standards using Avro or Protobuf.
• Collaborate with Data Engineering teams to support data ingestion, transformation, and streaming architectures.
• Partner with software developers, business analysts, and solution architects to define data requirements and implement scalable database solutions.
• Optimize database performance through indexing strategies, query tuning, and schema optimization.
• Maintain referential integrity, database standards, and enterprise data modeling best practices.
• Support enterprise metadata management and data governance initiatives.
• Review existing data models and recommend improvements to support evolving business requirements.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend tools and best practices to improve enterprise data architecture.
• Provide technical leadership and mentoring to development and engineering teams.

Required Qualifications

• 3–6 years of experience in Data Modeling, Database Design, or Data Architecture.
• Production experience designing normalized OLTP schemas using:
• Microsoft SQL Server
• PostgreSQL
• Strong knowledge of:
• Database normalization
• Indexing strategies
• Referential integrity
• Constraints
• Hands-on experience with one or more data modeling tools, including:
• erwin Data Modeler
• ER/Studio
• SQLDBM
• Comparable enterprise data modeling tools
• Experience designing streaming event schemas for Apache Kafka using Schema Registry compatibility modes (Avro or Protobuf).
• Experience developing analytical and dimensional data models within BigQuery or other cloud data warehouse platforms.
• Strong SQL development skills across:
• T-SQL
• PL/pgSQL
• BigQuery Standard SQL
• Expertise in SQL performance tuning, optimization, and query design.
• Demonstrated technical leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving abilities.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to influence technical and business stakeholders.