Data Architect

dataengine is seeking an experienced
Data Architect
with deep expertise in
Snowflake
,
data governance
, and
data modelling
to design and deliver end-to-end data solutions for a client based in Wellington. Please note this is a 6-month fixed term contract with the possibility of extension. This role will also be based in the office 5 days per week.

In this role, you'll play a pivotal part in shaping scalable, secure, and high-performing data architectures that enable advanced analytics and business insight. You will be hands-on in solution design and advisory, partnering closely with the client, engineers, and business teams to create data ecosystems that are modern, governed, and cloud-native.

As a trusted technical leader, you'll drive architectural decisions, ensure data integrity and compliance, and enable data-driven innovation across the business.

Key Responsibilities

Snowflake-Centric Data Architecture

• Design, build, and optimise
  Snowflake
  -based data platforms including data lakes, data warehouses, and consumption layers.
• Develop
  enterprise data models
  within Snowflake to support analytics, reporting, and operational workloads.
• Implement
  Snowflake security, access controls, and data sharing frameworks
  aligned with governance best practices.
• Integrate Snowflake with modern tools such as
  dbt,
  and cloud services (
  AWS, Azure, or GCP
  ) to deliver robust end-to-end data solutions.
• Continuously tune Snowflake environments for
  performance, scalability, and cost efficiency
  .

Data Modelling & Solution Design

• Design
  conceptual, logical, and physical data models
  to meet enterprise and analytical requirements.
• Standardise and govern data modelling practices across projects to ensure consistency and reusability.
• Define and maintain data architecture blueprints, ensuring alignment between business goals, analytics needs, and technical design.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to translate business requirements into scalable and maintainable data models.

Data Governance & Compliance

• Lead the design and implementation of
  data governance frameworks
  , covering data ownership, metadata management, lineage, and data quality rules.
• Establish clear
  data management policies
  and ensure compliance with security, privacy, and regulatory requirements.
• Embed governance practices into day-to-day data operations to ensure consistent and auditable data usage.
• Collaborate with the client to assess and uplift their data maturity through governance initiatives and tools.

End-to-End Data Solution Delivery

• Architect and oversee the development of
  ETL/ELT pipelines
  for ingesting, transforming, and distributing data across systems.
• Collaborate with engineers to ensure seamless integration of data from multiple structured and unstructured sources.
• Partner with analytics and AI teams to ensure data environments support
  machine learning
  and
  predictive analytics
  use cases.
• Drive best practices for
  data quality, metadata management, and data lifecycle management
  .

Consulting & Leadership

• Act as a
  trusted advisor
  to the client, providing technical and strategic guidance on data platform design, governance, and modernisation.
• Lead workshops, architecture reviews, and capability uplift sessions for both client and internal teams.
• Contribute to thought leadership across data architecture, Snowflake optimisation, and governance maturity.
• Define and review
  option papers and technical recommendations
  for enterprise data solutions.

Key Requirements

• 12+ years of experience in IT with at least 5+ years in data architecture, data engineering, or solution design roles.
• Proven experience architecting Snowflake-based data solutions, including warehouse and data lake architectures.
• Strong background in data modelling, database design, and data warehousing principles.
• Deep understanding of data governance, metadata management, data lineage, and data quality frameworks.
• Proficiency in SQL and data transformation frameworks (e.g., dbt, Spark).
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP) and integration with Snowflake.
• Strong knowledge of data integration, ETL/ELT design, and modern data architecture patterns (e.g., medallion, lakehouse).
• Familiarity with advanced analytics, AI/ML enablement, and data visualisation ecosystems.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills – able to translate complex architecture concepts into business language.
• A pragmatic, growth-minded problem solver who values simplicity and business outcomes over over-engineering.
• Snowflake certifications or equivalent cloud data certifications are highly desirable.
• Must be based in Wellington and able to work in the office 5 days per week.

Here's a Taste of What's on Offer at dataengine

• Opportunity to solve real-world business problems.
• Collaborative and supportive work environment.
• Competitive salary.
• Be at the forefront of data science innovation in a dynamic startup environment.
• Work on a variety of challenging and impactful projects across different industries.
• Opportunity to learn and grow your skillset with the latest technologies.
• Continuous learning and development opportunities.
• Weekly fresh fruit and snacks, monthly industry-led lunches, and active staff activities.
• Be part of a company shaping the future of data-driven solutions.

If you are a passionate and talented data architect who is excited about making a real impact, we encourage you to apply