> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/1701260-principal-data-architect](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/1701260-principal-data-architect). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # Principal Data Architect - **Company:** UST Inc - **Location:** Aliso Viejo, CA, United States (Remote available) - **Experience:** Expert - **Salary:** $166,000.0 - $249,000.0 - **Contract:** Temporary contract - **Skills:** Artificial Intelligence, Amazon Web Services, Computing Platforms, Microsoft Azure, Big Data, Data Architecture, Information Engineering, Data Governance, Data Infrastructure, Data Warehousing, Meta-Data Management, Enterprise Data Management, Data Processing, Google Cloud, Snowflake, Data Strategy, Data Lakes, Data Management, Databricks - **Published:** July 10, 2026 - **Apply:** https://diversityjobs.com/main/sendform/8/8/28176/1/17536130?backUrl=%2Fcareer%2F17536130%2FPrincipal-Data-Architect-California-Aliso-Viejo ## About the Role * At least 10 years' experience in enterprise data architecture and large-scale data transformation programs. * Proven expertise designing cloud-native and hybrid data platforms. * Strong experience in architecture governance and enterprise-scale solution design. * Demonstrated success in customer engagement, consulting, solutioning, and presales activities. * Experience leading multi-disciplinary architecture and engineering teams. * Strong understanding of data governance, security, compliance, and risk management. ## Description A Principal Data Architect who is responsible for defining, governing, and driving enterprise-scale data architecture initiatives across large and complex programs. You will provided strategic leadership across the entire data lifecycle from ingestion and integration to analytics, AI enablement, and data consumption spanning cloud, hybrid, and modern data platforms. You will serve as a trusted advisor to customers and stakeholders, ensuring scalable, secure, compliant, high-performance, and future-ready data ecosystems. The Opportunity: * Define and lead enterprise data architecture aligned with business objectives and digital transformation roadmaps. * Establish enterprise data strategy and operating models supporting analytics, AI/ML, and data monetization initiatives. * Design scalable architectures encompassing data warehouses, data lakes, lakehouses, streaming platforms, and cloud-native ecosystems. * Ensure architecture decisions support long-term business growth, agility, and technology evolution, * Define and enforce architecture standards, frameworks, design principles, and reference architectures. * Conduct architecture reviews and ensure Quality of Architecture (QOA) compliance across programs. * Drive architecture governance processes and resolve technical escalations. * Identify and mitigate technical, operational, and data-related risks. * Lead architecture design for modern cloud and hybrid data platforms. * Provide direction on technology selection across AWS, Azure, GCP, Databricks, Snowflake, and related platforms. * Ensure platform scalability, reliability, security, performance, and cost optimization. * Architect real-time and batch data processing solutions using modern big data technologies. * Own enterprise data governance frameworks, standards, policies, and controls. * Drive adoption of metadata management, data cataloging, lineage, and data quality practices. * Ensure compliance with industry regulations, privacy requirements, and organizational security standards. * Act as a senior escalation point for governance and compliance-related issues. * Lead architecture solutioning for strategic pursuits, RFPs, and large transformation engagements. * Assess technical feasibility, estimate effort, identify risks, and define solution approaches. * Support business development teams with architecture presentations, customer discussions, and proposal preparation. * Drive technical differentiation and contribute to deal wins. * Engage executive and senior customer stakeholders on data modernization, cloud migration, analytics, and AI strategies. * Provide thought leadership and advisory services around enterprise data management and transformation. * Influence customer technology roadmaps and architecture decisions. * Develop reusable accelerators, frameworks, templates, and architectural assets. * Drive adoption of emerging technologies, modern architecture patterns, and AI-ready data platforms. * Conduct architecture reviews, coaching sessions, and capability-development activities. * Drive best practices in data engineering, architecture, governance, and platform design. * Foster a culture of architectural excellence and innovation. ## Related Videos - [Alibaba Big Data and Machine Learning Technology](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/37-alibaba-big-data-and-machine-learning-technology) - [Modern Data Architectures need Software Engineering](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1030-modern-data-architectures-need-software-engineering) - [How Cisco embraced a DevOps culture within its network engineering team](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/99-how-cisco-embraced-a-devops-culture-within-its-network-engineering-team) - [Cutting LLM Costs Without Cutting Quality: How to Beat Proprietary LLMs with Fine-Tuned Open Source](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100151-cutting-llm-costs-without-cutting-quality-how-to-beat-proprietary-llms-with-fine-tuned-open-source) - [From Messy Queries to Scalable Systems - How Data Engineering actually works](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/100203-from-messy-queries-to-scalable-systems-how-data-engineering-actually-works) - [OLTP in the Lakehouse: Redefining Data for AI Workloads](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/2038-oltp-in-the-lakehouse-redefining-data-for-ai-workloads) ## Related Articles - [Making Data Warehouses Fast: A Developer’s Story](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/107-making-data-warehouses-fast-a-developer-s-story) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [Stephan Gillich - Bringing AI Everywhere](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/489-stephan-gillich-bringing-ai-everywhere) - [What Are The Top Skills Required For Azure Developers?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/77-what-are-the-top-skills-required-for-azure-developers) - [Top Big Data Technologies That You Need to Know](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/108-top-big-data-technologies-that-you-need-to-know) - [Best US AI Conferences for CTOs in 2026: Build vs. Buy, Vendor Evaluation, and Peer Intelligence](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/736-best-us-ai-conferences-for-ctos-in-2026-build-vs-buy-vendor-evaluation-and-peer-intelligence)