Data Architect

The Data Architect owns the design of CNI's enterprise data landscape, including how data is modeled, stored, integrated, secured, and governed across on-premises and cloud-based systems. This position reports through the Chief Operating Officer's office as part of the Enterprise Architecture practice and partners with the Director of Infrastructure and Security and the Director of Business Solutions to translate business needs into a coherent data platform.

The Data Architect works within a small, cross-functional IT organization as the Enterprise Architecture practice continues to develop. This position shapes standards and tooling, builds consensus across stakeholders, and supports an environment that combines on-premises systems with a growing Microsoft Azure footprint.

Chickasaw Nation Industries, Inc. serves as a holding company with multiple subsidiaries engaged in several lines of business (Business Services, Health, Infrastructure and Engineering, Mission Optimization, Technology and Transportation) for the federal government and commercial enterprises. A portion of our profits is used to support Chickasaw citizens. We are proud to support the economic development and long-term viability of the Chickasaw Nation and its people. CNI offers premium benefits eligible on the first day of hire to full time employees; (Medical - Dental – Vision), Company Life Insurance, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability Insurance, 401(K) Immediate Vesting, Professional Development Assistance, Legal Aid Assistance Program, Family Planning / Fertility Assistance, Personal Time Off, and Observance of Federal Holidays.

As a federal contractor, CNI is a drug-free workplace and adheres to the Federal Controlled Substance Act.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be U.S. citizens to meet the eligibility requirements for this position.
• Possesses deep experience with relational and dimensional modeling and maintains a working knowledge of lakehouse and NoSQL patterns.
• Demonstrates hands-on experience with at least one major cloud data platform, such as Azure Synapse, Microsoft Fabric, Snowflake, Databricks, or an equivalent platform, as well as SQL Server and Oracle Database Platform.
• Applies data governance concepts, including cataloging, lineage, quality management, and master data management.
• Integrates data across ERP, HRIS, CRM, financial, operational, and cloud-based systems.
• Explains technical trade-offs to executives and writes concise architecture documents and proposals.
• Understands enterprise data security and compliance requirements, including role-based access, data classification, encryption, privacy, and controlled data.
• Translates business requirements into scalable data architecture and technical standards.
• Works effectively across Enterprise Architecture, Security, Infrastructure, Applications, and business teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrates familiarity with Azure Government or GCC High and the constraints these environments place on data services.
• Brings experience in the defense industrial base, including Controlled Unclassified Information, NIST SP 800-171, and CMMC 2.0.
• Maintains a track record of on-premises-to-Azure data migrations and data platform modernization.
• Works in environments subject to NIST, CMMC, or other federal or security requirements.
• Maintains working knowledge of Microsoft Fabric and Power BI.

KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential duties and responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Defines and maintains the enterprise data architecture, including conceptual, logical, and physical models, data domains, and the target-state roadmap.

Leads the evaluation and selection of data platform technologies and produces clear, executive-ready recommendations.

Designs data integration patterns, including ETL and ELT pipelines, APIs, streaming, and master and reference data, across legacy on-premises and cloud-based systems.

Establishes data governance standards covering ownership, quality, lineage, cataloging, retention, and classification in partnership with business data owners.

Works with Security and Compliance teams to architect data storage and access controls that meet Controlled Unclassified Information handling requirements, including NIST SP 800-171 and CMMC 2.0.

Guides the data workstreams of cloud migration efforts, including sequencing, migration approaches, and decommissioning of legacy data stores.

Reviews data delivery designs for alignment with enterprise standards and documents decisions through architecture decision records.

Mentors engineers and analysts on modeling, performance, and cost-aware design and communicates architecture to technical and non-technical audiences.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Possesses a bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Science, Engineering, or a related field.

Brings seven or more (7+) years of experience in data engineering, database design, or analytics, including three or more (3+)  years designing enterprise data architectures that encompass data models, integrations, data platforms, and information flows across multiple business systems.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Work is primarily performed in an office environment. Regularly required to sit. Regularly required use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms to handle objects and operate tools, computer, and/or controls. Required to speak and hear. Occasionally required to stand, walk and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.  Exposed to general office noise with computers printers and light traffic.  

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job. 

EOE including Disability/Vet

The estimated pay range for this role is $100,000 to $130,000, with the final offer contingent on location, skillset, and experience.

CNI offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• 401(k)
• Family Planning/Fertility Assistance
• STD/LTD/Basic Life/AD&D
• Legal-Aid Program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Paid Time Off (PTO) – (11) Federal Holidays
• Training and Development Opportunities

Your application submission will be considered for all potential employment opportunities with Chickasaw Nation Industries (CNI).

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