We’re looking for an experienced Data Architect to join an enterprise-scale cloud migration, data transformation, and AI enablement initiative for a large industrial manufacturing organization. This is an opportunity to work closely with cross-functional teams to modernize data infrastructure, shape architecture strategy, and support AI readiness across the business.

This role is heavily focused on the early discovery, architecture, and transformation planning phases of a large-scale modernization initiative. The ideal candidate brings hands-on experience leading enterprise data transformation programs, evaluating legacy environments, defining future-state architectures, driving technology selection, and building practical migration roadmaps.

This is an initial contract engagement of up to 12 months.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate existing customer data sources, systems, and enterprise data landscapes to identify functional and non-functional requirements
• Lead architecture assessments and discovery activities across complex legacy and modern enterprise environments
• Define scalable target-state data platform architectures aligned with business and technical objectives
• Drive technology evaluation and selection processes for modern cloud-based data platforms
• Design and present migration strategies, transformation roadmaps, and implementation approaches
• Lead architecture planning for enterprise cloud migration and modern data platform initiatives
• Collaborate with internal and client stakeholders to define phased implementation and migration plans
• Support AI enablement initiatives, including data readiness and integration strategies for Microsoft Copilot
• Provide guidance on modernizing legacy on-premise environments and integrating with Azure-native services
• Partner with engineering, delivery, and client teams throughout the architecture, planning, and transition phases
• Act as a key technical lead during early project phases, independently driving analysis, solutioning, and architecture direction before implementation teams are engaged

Required Qualifications

• Strong experience as a Data Architect in large enterprise environments
• Recent, hands-on experience with Microsoft Fabric in real-world enterprise implementations
• Deep expertise with Microsoft Azure data services and modern cloud data architectures
• Proven experience leading data transformation and modernization initiatives in a lead or principal architecture role
• Demonstrated experience evaluating legacy enterprise environments, defining future-state architectures, and driving technology/platform selection
• Experience developing migration patterns, transformation strategies, and phased modernization roadmaps
• Strong understanding of both on-premise and cloud-based Microsoft data platforms, including Microsoft SQL Server and Azure SQL
• Experience enabling and integrating Azure-based data sources with Microsoft Copilot and related AI initiatives
• Ability to independently perform architecture analysis, solutioning, and strategic technical planning
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, including the ability to work directly with executive and client teams

Nice-to-Have Qualifications

• Experience with alternative modern data platforms such as Databricks and/or Snowflake
• Experience working with a broad range of enterprise systems across both on-premise and cloud environments
• Familiarity with platforms such as:Microsoft Dynamics 365 (D365)
  Microsoft Dynamics AX
  Oracle NetSuite
  Planful
  Dassault Enovia
• Experience within industrial manufacturing or related enterprise environments
• Consulting or client-facing experience in enterprise transformation programs
• Based in North America with strong client-facing and consulting capabilities

Contract Details

• Contract length: Up to 12 months
• Engagement type: Contract
• Location: North America preferred
• Work arrangement: Remote
• Compensation: USD 10,000-11,500/month