Data Platform Senior Architect

Reporting to the Director of Data Platform & Engineering, the Data Platform Senior Architect shapes the firm's data strategy by designing, implementing, and optimizing scalable, secure, and high-performance data platforms. Working closely with cross-functional teams, this role delivers trusted data solutions that power decision-making, boost operational efficiency, maximize customer value, and ensure robust privacy and governance.

Be a strategic voice in the evaluation and adoption of new technology within the core data tech stack.
• Drive the execution of the firm's data strategy by contributing to initiatives that uphold high standards of data quality, security, and performance in alignment with organizational objectives.
• Design scalable data architectures that support analytics, machine learning, and AI capabilities across all functional areas of the firm
• Design and deliver an enterprise-wide data platform that eliminates silos, establishes a robust semantic layer and enterprise data model, and embeds Master Data Management (MDM) practices to maximize the visibility, consistency, and business usability of all data assets
• Author data contracts, schema-evolution policies, architecture documentation, and reference implementations to ensure reliability, interoperability, and auditability.
• Implement role-based access, encryption, lineage, and compliance frameworks (GDPR, HIPAA, SOC 2) in collaboration with InfoSec and Legal teams.
• Provide architectural guidance and code reviews for data engineers; evangelize best practices through design sessions, brown-bags, and architecture councils.
• Collaborate with cross-functional partners-including AI, BI, Product, Operations, and support teams-to align on project-level priorities and ensure integrated execution across teams.
• Evaluate and onboard vendors through reference architecture, POCs and total-cost-of-ownership analyses
• Translate technical concepts and progress updates into clear communications for internal stakeholders, supporting alignment with broader data and technology goal.

Salaries vary by location and are based on numerous factors, including, but not limited to, the relevant market, skills, experience, and education of the selected candidate. If an estimated salary range for this role is available, it will be provided in our Target Salary Range section. Our compensation package also includes bonus eligibility and a comprehensive benefits program. Benefits information can be found at Sidley.com/Benefits.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the Duties and Responsibilities (Duties) above satisfactorily and meet the requirements below. The requirements listed below are representative of the minimum knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. If you need such an accommodation, please email staffrecruiting@sidley.com (current employees should contact Human Resources).

Education and/or Experience:

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Data Science, or a related field
• A minimum of 8 years of experience in data engineering & architecture, including at least 3 years in a principal architect role
• Ideal candidates will have extensive expertise across strategic and technical dimensions of enterprise data architecture. Key competencies include:
  • Cloud data platform architecture & operations
  • Data schema and modeling frameworks
  • Transactional and analytical data storage solutions, including SQL Server, data warehouses and data lakehouses and what drives query optimization
  • Data ingestion and processing pipelines, incorporating batch and real-time/change data capture (CDC)
  • Data lineage tracking and quality assurance systems
  • Infrastructure for search, indexing, and fast data retrieval
  • API frameworks and extensibility enabling self-service capabilities
• Advanced knowledge of big data architecture, its tooling, and an ability to coach engineers on programming best practices (Python, Spark, SQL, etc)
• Proven experience in architecting and scaling data platforms in a cloud environment such as AWS, Azure, or GCP, with a focus on scalability, security, and performance
• Highly detail-oriented and analytical, demonstrating a thorough approach to data architecture, problem-solving, and decision-making, with a commitment to accuracy and precision

Preferred:

• Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent
• Experience architecting, implementing and operating Databricks at enterprise scale
• Advanced knowledge of Cloud Platform Architecture, preferably in Azure
• Advanced knowledge of cloud automation (CI/CD, IAC, Backups/DR)
• Contributions to open-source data or cloud projects, or published whitepapers/blogs on data-platform design.
• Comfortable working cross-functionally with both technical and non-technical stakeholders, adapting communication to effectively engage diverse audiences
• Experience working in an Agile delivery model

Other Skills and Abilities:

The following will also be required of the successful candidate:

• Strong organizational skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Good judgment
• Strong interpersonal communication skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Able to work harmoniously and effectively with others
• Able to preserve confidentiality and exercise discretion
• Able to work under pressure
• Able to manage multiple projects with competing deadlines and priorities

Sidley Austin LLP is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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