Senior Data Architecture Lead

Senior Data Architecture Lead Job Type: Full-time Overview Tanaq Technical Services (TTS), a division of St. George Tanaq (SGT) Corporation, is an 8(a) Alaskan Native Small Business dedicated to delivering innovative Enterprise Integrated Technology Solutions and Support Services to the Federal Government. Our mission is driven by a commitment to exceed expectations and foster a people-focused environment. About the Role Join us as a Senior Data Architecture Lead and play a pivotal role in supporting the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Office of the Chief Information Officer (HUD OCIO). As the enterprise-level authority, you will define and drive the data architecture essential for the agency's groundbreaking AI, analytics, and cloud modernization initiatives. This role demands both strategic vision and technical proficiency in creating scalable, secure, cloud-native data ecosystems that enhance mission-critical AI/ML operations. In this position, you will lead comprehensive data governance efforts, building frameworks for metadata, data lineage, quality, and stewardship. Ensure compliance with pivotal federal mandates, such as FISMA, FedRAMP, NIST, and privacy regulations. You will also spearhead the development of the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) AI agent knowledge layer and establish modernization standards that will guide collaborative efforts among Data and AI Engineers. This position is fully remote, supporting a federal government contract that requires a federal background check and NACI clearance. Candidates must reside in the United States. Responsibilities Define and guide the agency's enterprise data architecture strategy for AI, analytics, and cloud modernization. Design and oversee the implementation of cloud-native data platforms, transforming legacy systems into secure and scalable environments. Create and maintain comprehensive enterprise data models and standards to ensure interoperability across various programs and systems. Lead organization-wide data governance initiatives, prioritizing metadata management, data lineage, and quality frameworks. Collaborate with AI/ML teams to construct data pipelines, feature stores, and model-ready datasets for advanced analytics. Advise senior leadership on data strategies, modernization roadmaps, and emerging technologies. Ensure compliance with federal security and privacy regulations, including FISMA, FedRAMP, NIST, and the Privacy Act. Establish integration patterns and interoperability standards for enterprise data. Act as the technical authority in cross-functional working groups tackling data architecture challenges. Mentor junior architects, data engineers, and analysts, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement. Manage AI/ML-ready cloud infrastructure using AWS Bedrock and Azure OpenAI. Oversee the creation of data catalogs and master data management solutions. Requirements Required Experience and Skills: 7+ years of experience in data architecture, enterprise architecture, or large-scale data engineering. Experience with enterprise data modeling in domains related to grants, housing, and broad program areas. Expertise in metadata, lineage, and governance using policy-as-code methodologies. Capability to design an AI-ready knowledge layer, utilizing document schemas, embedding strategies, and explainability metadata. Experience implementing access, retention, and privacy controls following ABAC/RBAC and Zero Trust principles. Familiarity with Lakehouse architectures, data-contract patterns (e.g., Delta/Iceberg), MDM, and PII minimization techniques. Experience with event-driven architectures and CDC-based solutions to decouple legacy systems. Understanding of FISMA and FedRAMP compliance, including necessary auditability and ATO evidence. Proficiency with cloud-native data systems and large-scale data processing methodologies. Experience designing and implementing AI/ML pipelines and compliant systems. Ability to pass federal background verification and maintain the required government clearance. Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship. Technical Skills: Proficient in cloud platforms such as Azure and AWS. Experience with cloud-native services like AWS Bedrock and Azure OpenAI. Thorough knowledge of relational, NoSQL, and distributed data systems. Strong skills in ETL/ELT frameworks (e.g., Airflow, Spark, Databricks) and API-driven architectures. Ability to support AI/ML initiatives and understand model lifecycle data requirements. Expertise in data modeling, schema design, and optimization tailored for AI workloads. Programming skills in Python, SQL, Scala, Java, Terraform, Kafka, and Bash/Powershell. Version control experience using Git/GitHub/GitLab. Knowledge of data governance, metadata management, and data quality practices. Proven background in governing enterprise data architectures in complex, multi-system environments. Core Competencies: Exceptional communication skills for effective collaboration with senior stakeholders, program managers, and technical teams. Strong expertise in data governance and quality frameworks. Proficient problem-solving skills for scalable AI/ML pipeline challenges. Experience with federal agencies or regulated environments with stringent compliance requirements. Familiarity with federal data standards and frameworks (e.g., CDM, FIBF, NIST). Knowledge of MDM, data virtualization, and knowledge graph technologies. Agile mindset with a focus on iterative improvement. Strong understanding of security, privacy, and compliance considerations. Education and Training: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Engineering, Information Systems, or a related field. A Master's degree is preferred. Certifications in cloud data platforms (AWS, Azure) are highly regarded; AWS Solutions Architect and Azure Data Engineer certifications are preferred. Physical Requirements: Prolonged periods of sitting and working at a computer. Occasionally lifting up to 25 pounds may be required. Benefits Information: Benefits may vary based on your employment status with Tanaq. Full-time employees in the US can access healthcare benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision), life insurance, disability insurance, 401(k), flexible spending accounts, an employee assistance program, educational reimbursement, and paid time off. Who We Are: Tanaq Technical Services (TTS) aims for excellence by comprehensively understanding client visions and needs, enabling us to provide effective solutions and fulfill our commitments to our clients, employees, and partners. Our Commitment to Non-Discrimination: Tanaq Technical Services is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, and we provide consideration without regard to disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We comply with the Drug-free Workplace Act and E-Verify. If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance with the application process, please contact us via email for reasonable accommodation requests only, not for application status inquiries. Notice on Candidate AI Usage: Tanaq is dedicated to an equitable interview process based on candidates' skills and experiences. The use of AI tools in interviews to generate responses is prohibited. Candidates needing accommodations related to AI should reach out prior to their interview. To apply for this position and explore other opportunities, please visit our recruiting page.

Created: 2026-03-04