Cloud Data Architect

Our vision for the future is based on the idea that transforming financial lives starts by giving our people the freedom to transform their own. We have a flexible work environment, and fluid career paths. We not only encourage but celebrate internal mobility. We also recognize the importance of purpose, well-being, and work-life balance. Within Empower and our communities, we work hard to create a welcoming and inclusive environment, and our associates dedicate thousands of hours to volunteering for causes that matter most to them.

Chart your own path and grow your career while helping more customers achieve financial freedom. Empower Yourself.

Job Summary:

At Empower, an Architect is in an elevated development position and thought leadership role. An Architect, working with both business and IT teams, will align solutions to the technology vision they help create. This role supports Sr. Architects in crafting technology strategies, reference architectures, and best practices, ensuring solutions address total cost of ownership, stability, performance, and efficiency. Additionally, the candidate will work with the Empower Innovation Lab team, experimenting with emerging technologies like Generative AI and Advanced Analytics.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 12+ years of experience in the development and delivery of data systems.
• This experience should be relevant to roles such as Data Analyst, ETL (Extract, Transform and Load) Developer (Data Engineer), Database Administrator (DBA), Business Intelligence Developer (BI Engineer), Machine Learning Developer (ML Engineer), Data Scientist, Data Architect, Data Governance Analyst, or a managerial position overseeing any of these functions.
• 3+ years of experience creating solution architectures and strategies across multiple architecture domains (business, application, data, integration, infrastructure and security).
• Solid experience with one or more of the following technology disciplines: Python, Cloud architectures, AWS (Amazon Web Services), Bigdata (300+TBs), Advanced Analytics, Advance SQL Skills, Data Warehouse systems, Advanced Programming, NoSQL, Distributed Computing.
• Data Architecture - Proficiency in platform design and data architecture, ensuring scalable, efficient, and secure data systems that support business objectives.
• Data Modeling - Expertise in designing data models that accurately represent business processes and facilitate efficient data retrieval and analysis.
• Nice to have experience in Kubernetes, Argo, Redshift, Aurora, Google Analytics, META Analytics, Integration with 3rd party APIs, SOA & microservices design, modern integration methods (API gateway/web services, messaging & RESTful architectures).
• Cost Management - Ability to manage costs associated with data storage and processing, optimizing resource usage, and ensuring budget adherence.
• Disaster Recovery Planning - Planning for data disaster recovery to ensure business continuity and data integrity in case of unexpected events.
• Data Systems - Understanding of transactional systems, data marts, data warehouses, and data lakes to effectively manage and utilize diverse data storage solutions.
• Programming Languages - Proficiency in Python and SQL, enabling the development of robust data processing scripts and efficient database queries. Linux Shell Scripting.
• Data Integration - Skilled in integrating data from various sources, ensuring seamless data flow and consistency across different systems.
• Test Data Management - Generating and managing test data to ensure the accuracy and reliability of data-driven applications and systems.
• SQL Optimization/Performance Improvements - Advanced skills in optimizing SQL queries for performance, reducing query execution time, and improving overall system efficiency.
• DevOps/DataOps - Experience with DevOps and DataOps practices, fostering collaboration between development and operations teams to streamline data workflows.
• CICD - Knowledge of continuous integration and continuous deployment processes, ensuring rapid and reliable delivery of data solutions.
• Data Governance - Implementing and managing data governance frameworks to ensure data quality, compliance, and security across the organization.
• Data Standards - Defining and enforcing data standards to maintain consistency, accuracy, and reliability of data throughout its lifecycle.
• Data Lifecycle Management - Managing the lifecycle of data from creation to deletion, ensuring data is properly maintained, archived, and disposed of.
• Data Redundancy Management - Ensuring data redundancy and reliability to prevent data loss and ensure availability in case of system failures.
• Data Quality - Ensuring high standards of data quality to support accurate analysis and decision-making processes.
• Data Profiling - Conducting data profiling to understand data characteristics, identify anomalies, and improve data quality.
• Data Encryption - Implementing data encryption techniques to protect sensitive information and ensure data privacy and security.
• Data Obfuscation/Masking - Techniques for data obfuscation and masking to protect sensitive data while maintaining its usability for testing and analysis.

Responsibilities:

• Help Sr. Architects, peers, and more junior resources define and execute on the business aligned IT strategy and vision.
• Develop, document, and provide input into the technology roadmap for Empower.
• Create reference architectures that demonstrate an understanding of technology components and the relationships between them.
• Design and modernize complex systems into cloud compatible or cloud native applications where applicable. Create strategies and designs for migrating applications to cloud systems.
• Participate in the evaluation of new applications, technical options, challenge the status quo, create solid business cases, and influence direction while establishing partnerships with key constituencies.
• Implement best practices, standards & guidance, then subsequently provide coaching of technology team members.
• Make leadership recommendations regarding strategic architectural considerations related to process design and process orchestration.
• Provide strong leadership and direction in development/engineering practices.
• Collaborate with other business and technology teams on architecture and design issues.
• Respond to evolving and changing security conditions. Implement and recommend security guidelines.

We are an equal opportunity employer with a commitment to diversity.  All individuals, regardless of personal characteristics, are encouraged to apply.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, pregnancy, religion, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable state or local law.