Cloud Data Architect

CLOUD DATA ARCHITECT

The CMM Data Architect will work as part of an agile development team to build and support the modernization of enterprise-class software applications.

The successful candidate should be capable of architecting and developing cloud database infrastructure and support the migration of legacy systems to the cloud.  The duties and assignments include translating high-level requirements into data storage solutions; creating PoCs and/or prototypes to evaluate various cloud database technologies, architecting and implementing cloud-based database solutions on various platforms; developing and supporting a migration plan from legacy on-premises database to multi-cloud/hybrid cloud platforms.   

The Data Architect will lead the design and implementation of secure, scalable, and high-performing database architectures across cloud-native, hybrid, and multi-cloud environments in support of CMSO modernization initiatives. This role provides expert-level guidance for migrating legacy workloads to commercial cloud platforms and develops Architecture Design Documents that reflect best practices aligned with the Government’s selected Cloud Service Providers. The Data Architect will work closely with enterprise teams to shape database standards, assess return on investment, and recommend cost-effective, performance-optimized solutions.

The architect supports both strategic and operational activities, including configuring cloud databases, enabling diagnostics, optimizing performance, and implementing threat-driven security settings. Responsibilities also include monitoring database usage, addressing replication strategies, and advising on anticipated growth to inform resource planning.

Additional tasks include provisioning relational databases, managing server-level operations such as scaling, restoring, or deleting instances, and configuring geo-replication and monitoring metrics. Through this broad scope, the Data Architect ensures robust data management and supports CMSO’s efforts to build resilient, secure, and future-ready database infrastructure.

In addition, the Data Architect will execute the following responsibilities:

• Continuously analyze, monitor and optimize database and database query performance to improve responsiveness, scalability and cost efficiency across the full service to meet the functional and non-functional requirements.

• Implement automated performance tuning, query optimization, and indexing strategies. Provide regular performance assessments and recommendations for improvements.

• Lead the design and implementation of multi-tenant, cloud-based data architectures, supporting both cloud and hybrid/on-premises solutions using distributed architectures. Accommodate a range of database technologies, including SQL, NoSQL, IaaS and PaaS, and emerging database paradigms (distributed SQL Multi-Modal SQL, Event-Driven or Streaming databases), based on workload requirements. Ensure logical and physical data isolation, tenant-level security, and resource allocation controls in multi-tenant environments. Design for potability and interoperability across cloud providers.

• Implement comprehensive data lifecycle management, including automated archival retention and purging strategies as well as robust backup/restore solutions tailored for cloud ecosystems.

• Ensure backup and archival processes are policy-driven, encrypted, and compliant with organizational and regulatory requirements.

  Provide data migration services from on-premises legacy databases to case management cloud databases where required.

• Minimize downtime and data loss through automated, repeatable and verifiable migration processes.

• Ensure data integrity, confidentiality, and security throughout all phases of the database lifecycle, including migration, storage, and access.

• Implement robust access controls, encryption (at rest and in transit), audit logging, and compliance reporting. Support data masking and anonymization.

• Employ comprehensive observability practices including real-time logging, monitoring, alerting, and automated incident response for all database environments.

• Integrate with enterprise monitoring and SIEM systems. Provide dashboards and regular reports on database health, performance, and incidents.

• Maintain detailed version-controlled documentation of data architectures, data models, performance metrics, operational runbooks, and progress reports.

• Implement explicit design and testing of DR and high availability strategies, including automated failover and regular DR drills.

• Implement ongoing analysis and recommendations for database cost optimization, including right-sizing, reserved capacity, and serverless options where appropriate.

• Ensure all database solutions comply with relevant data protection, privacy, and retention regulations.

• Implement use of IaC for database provisioning, configuration, and management to ensure consistency, repeatability, and auditability.

• Provide self-service, automated backup and restore mechanism, with policy-driven scheduling and retention.

• Provide capability to manage data in multiple formats (e.g., object, tabular, etc.), ensuring secure handing and compliance.

• Provide an automated and recurring (i.e., in regular intervals) backup of all images, code, and artifacts.

• Automate scaling of databases through policy-driven triggers and continuous monitoring.

• Automate intelligent data tiering policies for automatically migrating data based on access frequency, or age, for cost savings.

• Ensure continuous backup validation for a period as specified by the Government.

REQUIREMENTS

• Experience designing and implementing a high-availability mission critical system with zero down time.
• Experience architecting Azure, AWS, GCP, OCI cloud platform.  
• Experience data modeling a large multi-tenant database system.
• Experience with relational (SQL) and non-relational (NoSQL) database technologies.
• Knowledge of Data Bricks, Snowflake and other cloud offering.
• Hands on experience with.
  • Scaling databases to the needs of the customer while maintaining data boundaries.
  • Data migration experience from distributed to single database.
  • Installing and maintaining the performance of database servers.
  • Developing processes for optimizing database security.
  • Setting and maintaining database standards.
  • Managing database access.
  • Managing performance tuning of database systems.
  • Installing, upgrading, and managing database applications.
  • Performing installation and maintenance of data into primary and third-party applications.
  • Provide technical support and training for team members.
  • Performing feasibility studies, cost/benefit analysis, and user training in response to user requests.
  • Performing team leader functions for projects involving multiple parties: managing deadlines; providing status reports; facilitating final testing and project sign-off as needed.
  • Backing up local databases and file directories applications.
  • Diagnosing and troubleshooting database errors.
  • Recommending and implementing emerging database technologies.
  • Creating and managing database reports, visualizations, and dashboards.
  • Creating automation for repeating database tasks.
  • Assisting with SSL cert installation & troubleshooting.
  • Perform complete database environment installation, configuration, on-going administration support (IBM Informix, DB2, Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL, Oracle).
  • Non-relational DB experience
  • Cloud DB solutions like (DynamoDB, CosmosDB, GraphDB, DocumentDB etc.)

QUALIFICATIONS

• 7+ years experience in developing IT and cloud infrastructures
• Experience in software engineering and design architectures
• Experience and understanding of best practices regarding system security measures
• Experience with building and migration software and IT services to align to strategic business needs and goals
• Experience in conducting research for advanced technologies to determining how IT can support business needs leveraging software, hardware, or infrastructure.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Programming, Computer Engineering or relevant computer-based major.
• Experience leading at least one on-premises to cloud migration and/or experience leading a significant modernization initiative.
• Experience with migrating data and artifacts from Legacy (Informix preferred) to Modern DB (DynamoDB, CosmosDB, GraphDB, DocumentDB etc.) solution.
• Experience providing operational database support and monitoring and control for multi-cloud/hybrid cloud platforms.
• Preferred certification for one or more of the following cloud platforms: Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and Oracle Cloud.

Communication and Organizational

• Experience identifying and applying industry tools, solutions, methods best practices, and emerging technologies
• Strong analytical skills and problem-solving skills with the ability to formulate and communicate recommendations for improvement
• Experienced with process design and documentation methodologies, and design and production of quality deliverables, process and use case modeling, business case development
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively, independently, and as part of a team
• Strong project management, leadership & meeting facilitation skill with knowledge of Project Life Cycle