Lead Data Architect (Snowflake)

Job Title: Lead Data Architect (Snowflake)

Location: Newport Beach CA

Work Type: Onsite

Employment Type: FTE/Contract

Visa Requirement: No OPT / CPT

Open to only LOCALS of CA

Key skills: Expert in Snowflake-based data platform architecture AWS S3 lakehouse (medallion) dbt/ Matillion pipelines and enterprise data modeling with strong governance (Collibra) and CI/CD practices. large-scale data modernization AI-enabled data engineering (insurance Domain )

Role Summary:

We are looking for a seasoned Technical Architect to own end-to-end solution architecture for a Fortune 500 insurance and financial services enterprises large-scale multi-wave data modernization program. You will design and govern a Snowflake AWS S3 Matillion dbt platform built on medallion architecture principles define the ACORD-based enterprise data model and set the technical standards that all delivery workstreams will follow. This is a hands-on architecture role you will be deeply embedded in the delivery team not a distant reviewer.

Key Responsibilities:

• Snowflake AWS S3 Matillion dbt (data build tool) Collibra Profisee MDM Python SQL Snowflake Cortex AI WinAIDM SnowConvert AI Tableau Power BI CI/CD (Azure DevOps) Git ACORD Data Model.
  
• Architect and deliver the enterprise data platform on Snowflake AWS S3 using a medallion (BronzeSilverGold) architecture supporting 80 source systems and 7-year historical migration
  
• Design the ACORD Life & Annuity-based enterprise data model customized for insurance domains Policy Claims Finance Actuarial Agent/Distribution Customer/Party
  
• Define the data mesh architecture with federated governance domain ownership boundaries and self-serve platform patterns for multi-wave delivery
  
• Establish reusable ingestion templates (Matillion) dbt transformation frameworks and Snowflake-native quality patterns (Data Metric Functions) as cross-program standards
  
• Govern architecture decisions across all 5 parallel workstreams: Ingestion Transformation Data Quality/DRE Consumption and Governance/MDM
  

Required Skills & Qualification:

• Bachelors or Masters degree in Computer Science Engineering or related technical discipline.
  
• 12 years in data engineering and analytics with 3 years in a solution/technical architect role on enterprise-scale programs
  
• Deep hands-on expertise in Snowflake query optimization clustering Data Metric Functions Snowpipe Streams and native AI capabilities
  
• Proven experience designing medallion/lakehouse architectures with AWS S3 as the raw data lake layer
  
• Strong command of dbt project structure macros testing frameworks and CI/CD integration
  
• Experience architecting data governance solutions using Collibra catalog lineage business glossary and certification workflows
  
• Demonstrated ability to lead multi-wave multi-workstream data modernization programs in a regulated (insurance healthcare or financial services) environment
  
• Hands-on experience migrating legacy ETL (Informatica or SSIS) to modern dbt/Matillion pipelines
  

Soft Skills:

• Strong communication skillsability to explain technical concepts clearly.
  
• Proactive ownership-driven mindset with high accountability.
  
• Ability to collaborate across engineering operations and support teams.
  
• Adaptability to fast-paced iterative environments.