Lead Data Architect

Role: Lead Data Architect (NoSQL/AWS)

Location: Sacramento, CA (Hybrid)

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Data Architect with deep expertise in NoSQL database platforms, specifically MongoDB and/or Apache Cassandra, deployed and managed on AWS Cloud. This role will lead the design, architecture, and modernization of highly scalable, distributed data platforms supporting mission-critical, high-throughput applications.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture, design, and implementation of NoSQL data platforms using MongoDB and/or Cassandra on AWS Cloud.
• Design highly available, fault-tolerant, and horizontally scalable data architectures for large-scale, low-latency workloads.
• Architect cloud-native data solutions leveraging AWS services such as EC2, EKS, S3, IAM, CloudWatch, and networking components.
• Define data modeling strategies optimized for NoSQL systems, including schema design, partitioning, indexing, and replication.
• Establish performance tuning, capacity planning, backup, disaster recovery, and high-availability strategies for NoSQL databases.
• Lead database modernization initiatives, including migration from relational or legacy platforms to NoSQL architectures.
• Define and enforce data security, encryption, access control, and compliance standards across cloud-hosted data platforms.
• Partner with application, DevOps, and security teams to ensure end-to-end architectural alignment.
• Develop architecture standards, reference designs, and best practices for NoSQL and cloud-based data platforms.
• Provide technical leadership, design reviews, and guidance to engineering teams.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• 8 years of experience in data architecture, database engineering, or distributed data platform roles.
• Strong hands-on experience with MongoDB and/or Apache Cassandra, including cluster design and operations.
• Proven experience hosting and managing NoSQL databases on AWS Cloud.
• Deep understanding of NoSQL data modeling, consistency models, sharding, replication, and CAP trade-offs.
• Experience with AWS infrastructure services (EC2, VPC, IAM, S3, CloudWatch).
• Strong knowledge of database performance tuning, scalability, and resiliency patterns.
• Experience designing secure, compliant data platforms in regulated or enterprise environments.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder collaboration skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with MongoDB Atlas on AWS or Amazon Keyspaces (Cassandra-compatible).
• Hands-on exposure to Kubernetes (EKS) and containerized database deployments.
• Knowledge of event-driven architectures and streaming platforms (Kafka, Kinesis).
• AWS certifications (Solutions Architect, Data Analytics, or Database Specialty).
• Experience supporting public sector, government, or highly regulated environments.