Why this role stands out
Elevate your career as a Data Architect at CriticalRiver, where you will lead the design of cutting-edge enterprise data platforms and shape the future of cloud analytics and AI/ML integration. This role is perfect for a seasoned visionary ready to make a significant impact within a collaborative, innovation-driven team, so apply today to take this exciting next step in your professional journey.
Quick overview
Job description
Role: Data Architect
Location: SFO, CA (Onsite)
Employment Type: Full-Time with CriticalRiver
Experience: 15+ Years
About the Role
CriticalRiver is seeking a highly experienced Data Architect to lead the design and delivery of enterprise-scale data platforms, cloud data ecosystems, analytics solutions, and modern data engineering architectures. The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in Data Architecture, Data Engineering, Snowflake and/or Databricks, with exposure to AI/ML and Generative AI technologies.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and own enterprise data architectures across Data Lakes, Lakehouses, Data Warehouses, and Analytics Platforms.
- Architect scalable cloud data solutions using Snowflake, Databricks, Microsoft Fabric, BigQuery, Redshift, and Azure Synapse.
- Build modern ETL/ELT, CDC, batch, real-time, and streaming data pipelines using Python, SQL, Spark, Kafka, dbt, Airflow, and related technologies.
- Define data modeling standards including Dimensional Modeling, Data Vault, and Semantic Models.
- Lead cloud modernization and large-scale data migration initiatives across AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform.
- Implement data governance, metadata management, data quality, lineage, security, and compliance frameworks.
- Enable enterprise BI and analytics using Power BI, Tableau, Looker, ThoughtSpot, and other modern analytics platforms.
- Collaborate with AI/ML teams to integrate LLMs, RAG, Vector Databases, AI Agents, and Generative AI capabilities into enterprise data platforms.
- Provide architecture leadership, client consulting, solution design, technical governance, presales support, and team mentoring.
Required Skills
- 15+ years in Data Engineering, Data Architecture, Cloud Data Platforms, and Analytics.
- Strong hands-on expertise in Python, SQL, Apache Spark, Snowpark, ETL/ELT, Data Modeling, and Data Governance.
- Deep experience with Snowflake and/or Databricks.
- Expertise in AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform cloud platforms.
- Experience with Kafka, Airflow, Dagster, dbt, Delta Lake, Delta Live Tables, ADF, AWS Glue, Fivetran, Informatica, or MuleSoft.
- Strong understanding of Data Quality, Metadata Management, Lineage, Security, and Governance.
- Excellent communication, stakeholder management, consulting, and leadership skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with Snowflake Horizon, Databricks Unity Catalog, Cortex AI, or Mosaic AI.
- Exposure to LLMs, RAG, OpenAI, Azure OpenAI, Vertex AI, SageMaker, MLflow, Vector Databases, and AI Agents.
- Certifications in AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform, Snowflake, or Databricks.
- Background in consulting and regulated industries such as Healthcare, Retail, or BFSI.
Similar jobs
- MR

Lead Data Architect - Remote EST (Insurance Experience Required)Recently posted
Motion Recruitment Partners, LLC · Boston, MA · Remote · Posted 11 Nov 2026 🇺🇸
SQLETLSnowflake+6TechnologySalary not listed - NF

Director, Data and AI ActivationRecently posted
Navy Federal Credit Union · Vienna, VA · Hybrid · Posted 10 Nov 2026 🇺🇸
ComplianceSalary not listed - KE

Contact Center Data ArchitectRecently posted
Kentro · Woodlawn, MD · On-site · Posted 10 Nov 2026 🇺🇸
SQLAWSETL+5Technology$140k - $150k/yr - LT

Data Systems ManagerRecently posted
Ledgent Technology · The Woodlands, TX · On-site · Posted 11 Nov 2026 🇺🇸
SQLSpringCapacity Planning+7Salary not listed - TB
Data Management ArchitectRecently posted
The Brixton Group · United States · Hybrid · Posted 11 Nov 2026 🇺🇸
AWSSnowflakeDatabricks+2Technology$175k/yr - QT

Azure Data ArchitectRecently posted
QUANTUM TECHNOLOGIES LLC · Denver, CO · Hybrid · Posted 10 Nov 2026 🇺🇸
SQLGitETL+10Technology$74/hr - PU

Data Governance ManagerRecently posted
Princeton University · Princeton, New Jersey · Hybrid · Posted 11 Nov 2026 🇺🇸
Stakeholder ManagementComplianceContinuous Improvement+3Salary not listed - CI
Enterprise Fabric Architect/Microsoft FabricRecently posted Auto Apply
Ciklum · United States · Hybrid · Posted 10 Nov 2026 🇺🇸
Stakeholder ManagementOnboardingSnowflake+8Salary not listed - ST

Principal Data Architect & Technical Product Owner Auto Apply
Steerbridge · Vienna · Hybrid · Posted 30 Oct 2026 🇺🇸
GCPSQLGit+17Technology$170k - $190k/yr - ST

Data Architect Auto Apply
Steerbridge · Vienna · Hybrid 🇺🇸
GCPSQLGit+22Technology$130k - $150k/yr - ST
Data ArchitectRecently posted Auto Apply
Startekk Inc · Dallas, TX · On-site · Posted 10 Nov 2026 🇺🇸
MongoDBSQLAWS+5TechnologySalary not listed - AB

Director II, Enterprise Data and Analytics ProductsRecently posted Auto Apply
AbbVie · Mettawa, IL · Hybrid · Posted 10 Nov 2026 🇺🇸
AgileEngineering$182k - $346k/yr