Senior Data Solutions Architect

Job Title: Data Solutions Architect

Location: Buffalo, NY

Work Model: Remote

No C2C, C2H, 1099 or Visa Sponsorship Available

Nature & Scope:

Positional Overview

The Imagine Group is recruiting for a Data Solutions Architect, on behalf of our client, a leading financial institution recognized for its strong community presence, customer-focused approach, and commitment to helping individuals and businesses succeed.

In this role, you will be responsible for designing and delivering enterprise-grade data platforms and solutions that enable advanced analytics and business intelligence. This role requires deep expertise in data engineering, cloud-native architecture, and modern data technologies. The architect will work closely with engineering, product, and compliance teams to build secure, scalable, and regulatory-compliant data solutions. All solutions must align with the principles, standards, and reference architecture established by the Enterprise Architecture function, ensuring consistency, interoperability, and strategic fit across the organization.

Role & Responsibility:

Tasks That Will Lead to Your Success

• Solution Architecture: Architect and deliver cloud-based data platforms (e.g., Azure Data Lake) and scalable data pipelines using technologies such as Databricks, Kafka, etc.
• ETL/ELT Frameworks: Develop and implement ETL/ELT frameworks for ingesting, transforming, and integrating data from diverse sources, including legacy financial systems, SaaS platforms, and real-time data streams.
• Data Platform Deployment: Design and oversee deployment of data warehouses, lakehouses, and analytics sandboxes to support business intelligence, machine learning, and reporting needs inclusive of Power BI and Snowflake.
• Data Governance: Define and enforce data governance, metadata management, and data quality standards in accordance with Enterprise Architecture guidance and regulatory requirements.
• Enterprise Architecture Collaboration: Collaborate with Enterprise Architecture to ensure all solutions adhere to architectural standards, reference models, and technology roadmaps. Vendor & Partner Engagement: Collaborate with external technology providers and service partners to ensure solutions meet enterprise standards for performance, cost-effectiveness, and agility in a highly regulated environment.
• Technology Evaluation: Lead technical evaluations and proof-of-concept projects for emerging data technologies (e.g., real-time analytics, data mesh, AI/ML platforms).
• Technical Documentation: Produce deliverables such as architecture diagrams, data flow maps, security models, and technical documentation for solution handoff and operational support.
• Agile/DevOps Leadership: Guide Agile/DevOps teams in implementing CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and infrastructure-as-code for data solutions.

Skills & Experience

Qualifications That Will Help You Thrive

• Bachelor’s/Master’s in computer science, Engineering, or related field.
• AWS/Azure Solutions Architect, Certified Data Engineer, or similar.
• 5+ years in solution architecture or technical implementation, with 2+ years in data engineering or enterprise data platforms.
• Proficient in system design, integration, and implementation across multiple technology domains.
• Proven track record in deploying scalable financial systems (e.g., payment gateways, digital wallets, stablecoin or cryptocurrency systems preferred).
• Hands-on experience with cloud platforms (Azure/AWS/GCP), containerization (Kubernetes), and DevOps practices.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and critical thinking skills.
• Understanding of financial regulations, compliance, and security standards.