> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/2186038-lead-data-architect](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/2186038-lead-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). --- # Lead Data Architect - **Company:** SHR CONSULTING GROUP, LLC - **Location:** Bluemont, VA, United States - **Experience:** Expert - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), Artificial Intelligence, Architectural Patterns, Cloud Engineering, Encodings, Continuous Integration, Data as a Services, Data Architecture, Data Governance, Data Infrastructure, Data Transformation, Data Security, Data Sharing, Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), Python (Programming Language), Machine Learning, Meta-Data Management, Metadata Repositories, Cloud Services, Standard Sql, Data Streaming, Data Processing, Data Classification, Apache Spark, Data Layers, Data Lakes, Pyspark, Data Lineage, Data Management, Data Pipelines, Devsecops, Databricks - **Published:** August 22, 2026 - **Apply:** https://www.clearancejobs.com/jobs/9111642/lead-data-architect ## About the Role * Extensive experience designing enterprise-scale cloud data platforms and architectures. * Demonstrated experience with Databricks Lakehouse or comparable enterprise cloud data platforms. * Strong hands-on knowledge of Medallion architecture. * Demonstrated expertise designing metadata-driven ingestion frameworks. * Demonstrated expertise designing scalable real-time streaming topologies. * Experience designing data architectures within Federal cloud or similarly regulated environments. * Strong understanding of enterprise data integration, data modeling, lineage, metadata management, governance, and access controls. * Experience designing architectures supporting high-volume batch and streaming workloads. * Ability to troubleshoot complex data pipeline and architecture failures. * Experience establishing reusable enterprise architecture patterns and technical standards. * Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to communicate architecture decisions to both technical teams and Government leadership. Highly Desired Technical Experience * Databricks * Apache Spark * Delta Lake * Python / PySpark * SQL * Lakehouse / Medallion architecture * Structured Streaming or comparable streaming frameworks * Cloud-native data services * Data catalogs and lineage * API and data-exchange architectures * CI/CD and DevSecOps * Data security and fine-grained access control * FinOps and cloud architecture optimization * AI/ML data architectures * Vector databases / embedding stores / RAG architectures, * FEMA or DHS experience. * Experience architecting enterprise Federal data modernization programs. * Experience integrating large numbers of heterogeneous modern and legacy source systems. * Experience designing secure external data-sharing architectures. * Experience designing governed data foundations supporting AI/ML applications. * Knowledge of NIST, FISMA, FedRAMP, DHS 4300A, and Federal data/privacy requirements. * Databricks architecture or engineering certifications. Clearance Requirements * U.S. Citizenship. * Must be able to obtain and maintain the Government-required suitability/fitness determination and IT access authorization. ## Description The Lead Data Architect will establish and evolve the overarching data architecture while ensuring that pipelines, integrations, data products, external sharing mechanisms, and AI/ML data services remain scalable, secure, maintainable, and aligned with FEMA's enterprise architecture., * Lead the design and evolution of FEMA's enterprise data architecture. * Design enterprise-wide cloud data platforms and scalable data-processing architectures. * Develop and govern Medallion/Lakehouse architecture patterns. * Design and oversee metadata-driven ingestion frameworks. * Design scalable real-time and streaming architectures. * Establish architectural patterns supporting growth in data sources, data volume, velocity, concurrency, and users. * Ensure new pipelines, integrations, and data products conform to FEMA's architecture standards. * Define reusable architecture and integration patterns rather than one-off implementations. * Oversee end-to-end data lineage from source systems through curated data layers and downstream consumption. * Support technical implementation of FEMA data governance requirements, including: + Metadata management + Data classification and tagging + Cataloging + Fine-grained access controls + Data lineage and provenance * Develop architecture supporting secure external data exchange and ingestion. * Architect data services supporting AI/ML workloads, including feature pipelines, curated datasets, embedding/vector stores, and retrieval pipelines as required. * Support platform capacity planning, performance engineering, elastic scaling, workload isolation, and cost optimization. * Troubleshoot complex enterprise pipeline and architecture issues. * Provide architecture guidance and technical leadership to engineering teams and Government stakeholders. * Maintain architecture documentation sufficient for Government personnel or successor contractors to operate and extend the platform. ## Related Videos - [A Brief History of Data Storage](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/974-a-brief-history-of-data-storage) - [DevSecOps: Injecting Security into Mobile CI/CD Pipelines](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/273-devsecops-injecting-security-into-mobile-ci-cd-pipelines) - [PySpark - Combining Machine Learning & Big Data](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/44-pyspark-combining-machine-learning-big-data) - [Modern Data Architectures need Software Engineering](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/1030-modern-data-architectures-need-software-engineering) - [Empowering Retail Through Applied Machine Learning](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/976-empowering-retail-through-applied-machine-learning) - [Data Science in Retail](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/videos/586-data-science-in-retail) ## Related Articles - [Making Data Warehouses Fast: A Developer’s Story](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/107-making-data-warehouses-fast-a-developer-s-story) - [Top Big Data Technologies That You Need to Know](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/108-top-big-data-technologies-that-you-need-to-know) - [How We Built a Worry-Free System That Runs for 10+ Years – And What We’d Do Again](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/751-how-we-built-a-worry-free-system-that-runs-for-10-years-and-what-we-d-do-again) - [Coffee with Developers - Maria Apazoglou - Making AI understandable for all in production](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/475-coffee-with-developers-maria-apazoglou-making-ai-understandable-for-all-in-production) - [Highest Paying Tech Companies for Developers](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/220-highest-paying-tech-companies-for-developers) - [What Are The Top Skills Required For Azure Developers?](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/77-what-are-the-top-skills-required-for-azure-developers)