Cloud Data Architect Lead Engineer

Job Title: Cloud Data Architect Lead Engineer Location: South Bend, Indiana Experience: 12+ Years Employment Type: Contract Interview Type: In-Person or Webcam Job Description The Cloud Data Architect Lead Engineer will be responsible for designing and implementing scalable, secure, and high-performing cloud data solutions. This role requires strong hands-on expertise in cloud platforms, data architecture, modern data engineering frameworks, and enterprise-grade data integration. The ideal candidate is experienced in leading large data modernization initiatives, advising stakeholders on best practices, and implementing end-to-end data strategies aligned with organizational goals. As a Lead Engineer, you will collaborate closely with business leaders, solution architects, data engineers, and DevOps teams to build robust cloud data platforms, optimize data pipelines, and ensure the overall quality, reliability, and availability of enterprise data assets. Key Responsibilities Cloud Data Architecture & Design Design and implement cloud-native data architectures including data lakes, data warehouses, and real-time streaming solutions. Define cloud data models, reference architectures, and standards for analytics, integration, and storage. Develop end-to-end data solutions using modern cloud services such as AWS, Azure, or GCP. Data Engineering & Integration Architect and optimize ETL/ELT pipelines for batch and streaming workloads. Develop data ingestion frameworks using APIs, messaging platforms, and cloud-native services. Ensure data quality, governance, and metadata standards are integrated into all data solutions. Leadership & Collaboration Provide technical leadership to data engineers, developers, and cross-functional teams. Partner with business and IT stakeholders to translate requirements into scalable technical designs. Lead code reviews, design sessions, and architecture discussions to maintain solution integrity. Performance, Security & Compliance Implement best practices for security, governance, access control, and data lineage in cloud environments. Optimize performance of cloud data platforms, ensuring reliability and cost efficiency. Ensure compliance with organizational and industry data security standards. Operational Ownership Oversee deployment, monitoring, and maintenance of cloud data infrastructure. Develop automated solutions for provisioning, scaling, and pipeline management. Troubleshoot complex data issues and provide long-term improvements to system stability. Required Skills and Qualifications Technical Skills 12+ years of experience in data engineering, data architecture, or enterprise data solutions. Proven hands-on expertise in at least one major cloud provider (AWS, Azure, or GCP Strong experience building cloud data lakes, warehouses, and streaming architectures. Proficiency with data processing tools such as Spark, Databricks, Snowflake, Hadoop, or similar. Strong knowledge of ETL/ELT frameworks, API integration, and workflow orchestration tools (Airflow, Azure Data Factory, AWS Glue, etc. Deep understanding of relational and NoSQL databases, data modeling, and schema design. Experience with CI/CD pipelines, DevOps practices, containerization, and infrastructure-as-code. Analytical & Leadership Skills Ability to lead technical teams and mentor engineers. Strong problem-solving skills for architecting scalable, secure cloud data solutions. Excellent communication skills for presenting complex technical topics to non-technical stakeholders. Preferred Qualifications Experience with real-time streaming tools such as Kafka, Kinesis, or Azure Event Hub. Knowledge of data governance tools and frameworks such as Collibra or Informatica. Cloud certifications (AWS Architect, Azure Solutions Architect, GCP Data Engineer) are a plus.