Data Architect

Overview

Steampunk is seeking a Data Architect to design the technical data environment and catalog structure supporting data governance and interoperability for a large federal client — a technologist with strong communication skills and a passion for solving complex data problems.

Responsibilities

• Design the technical structure for the data asset catalog and metadata taxonomy
• Design the interoperable data environment structure underlying the Data Management Framework
• Assess and document data sources to inform interoperable data environment design
• Address technical inquiries related to data architecture, integration, and interoperability from program stakeholders
• Ensure data architecture uses open, standard, non-proprietary formats and APIs supporting client data export and reconstruction requirements
• Support documentation of data handling, storage, and retention practices for AI use cases feeding the AI Compliance and Risk Management Plan

Qualifications

• Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or a related technical discipline
• 8+ years of data architecture experience, including metadata/catalog design at enterprise scale
• Experience with data modeling, schema design, and entity-relationship diagramming
• Experience developing data architecture artifacts such as data dictionaries, entity-relationship diagrams, data flow diagrams, and data management plans
• Experience with SQL and relational database design/query optimization; familiarity with NoSQL database concepts
• Experience designing storage and retrieval approaches for both structured and unstructured data
• Experience designing data platforms or catalogs for end-user consumption and discoverability
• Demonstrated experience designing for open data standards and system interoperability
• Familiarity with FIPS 140-2 compliant encryption standards for data at rest and in transit
• Experience documenting data lineage/handling practices for governance or compliance purposes
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain technical data architecture concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Experience working within an Agile environment

Preferred

• Federal data governance or interoperability experience
• Experience supporting AI/ML data documentation requirements
• Familiarity with cloud data platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure) and managed data services
• Familiarity with DevSecOps practices and CI/CD concepts