Lead Data Architect Jobs
Lead Data Architect jobs are open across financial services, healthcare, technology, and retail, at every level from senior data engineer to principal and staff architect, with specializations in cloud data platforms, enterprise data modeling, and data governance. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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At Wells Fargo, a Principal Architect advises senior leaders on architecture strategy, target-state direction, and technology transformation efforts, leading the resolution of highly complex, enterprise-wide challenges that span multiple domains and organizations. Learn more about career areas and business divisions at wellsfargojobs.com
This Principal Enterprise Data Architect will provide architecture leadership for enterprise data environments supporting Technology and Cybersecurity, defining the strategy for how data is sourced, governed, integrated, processed, shared, and consumed across a complex ecosystem.
The role will lead the evolution of multiple existing data environments toward a cohesive target-state architecture, establishing modern patterns for data products, semantic access, APIs, real-time and event-driven integration, cloud data platforms, and governed data consumption. The architect will combine long-term strategy with hands-on architecture validation, including proofs of concept that evaluate emerging technologies and architecture approaches.
Experience with ServiceNow and its underlying data model is preferred, particularly as it relates to integrating ServiceNow data with broader enterprise data ecosystems.
In this role, you will
- Advise senior technology leaders on enterprise data architecture strategy, target-state direction, and transformation priorities across Technology and Cybersecurity domains.
- Define current-state, target-state, and transition architectures for complex enterprise data environments and modernization initiatives.
- Establish enterprise architecture patterns for data sourcing, integration, storage, processing, distribution, and consumption.
- Develop strategies to reduce unnecessary data duplication and enable scalable, governed access to shared enterprise information.
- Define architecture patterns for data products, semantic layers, APIs, event-driven and real-time data distribution, batch processing, data virtualization, and federated access.
- Establish standards for conceptual, logical, canonical, and domain data models and promote consistent information definitions across platforms.
- Define authoritative data sources, systems of record and reference, data ownership, and appropriate sourcing and distribution patterns.
- Establish standards for metadata, lineage, data quality, data contracts, semantic models, business definitions, and traceability.
- Evaluate and guide modernization of enterprise data environments across cloud and hybrid platforms, including AWS and Google Cloud Platform.
- Design and lead proofs of concept to validate new architecture approaches, technology capabilities, integration patterns, and data-serving models.
- Influence technology investments and evaluate architecture alternatives based on scalability, performance, resiliency, risk, cost, and long-term sustainability.
- Partner with application, cybersecurity, cloud, platform, data engineering, and governance teams to ensure architecture approaches meet enterprise requirements.
- Assess emerging data technologies and recommend innovations that improve data accessibility, reliability, efficiency, and strategic business outcomes.
Required Qualifications
- 7+ years of architecture experience, or equivalent demonstrated through one or a combination of the following: work experience, training, military experience, education
- 5+ years of experience defining enterprise data architecture, including data modeling, integration, data sourcing, distribution, and consumption patterns across complex technology environments.
Desired Qualifications
- Extensive experience defining enterprise data architecture strategies, target-state architectures, and multi-year modernization roadmaps for large, complex technology environments.
- Experience architecting at scale across multiple data platforms, data lakes, lakehouses, warehouses, operational data stores, and cloud data environments.
- Demonstrated ability to define architectures that enable large numbers of downstream consumers to access trusted data while minimizing unnecessary data movement and duplication.
- Deep knowledge of data modeling, semantic layers, data products, metadata management, lineage, data quality, authoritative sources, governance, and information lifecycle management.
- Experience defining data integration and distribution patterns using APIs, event-driven architectures, streaming, batch pipelines, data virtualization, and federated access.
- Experience architecting solutions within AWS and/or Google Cloud Platform, including the modernization of legacy or on-premises data environments.
- Demonstrated experience moving between architecture strategy and execution, including leading proofs of concept and validating architecture patterns against real-world use cases.
- Ability to evaluate technology alternatives and architectural tradeoffs across scalability, resiliency, performance, security, cost, risk, and long-term sustainability.
- Experience influencing senior leaders, engineering organizations, product teams, cybersecurity partners, and external technology vendors.
- Experience working within highly regulated environments and incorporating cybersecurity, privacy, risk, governance, and control requirements into architecture decisions.
- Knowledge of ServiceNow data models and enterprise ServiceNow environments is preferred.
- Financial services experience is preferred
Locations:
- 333 Market St, San Francisco, California 94105
- 401 Las Colinas Blvd W Bldg. A - Irving, Texas 75039
- 300 S Brevard, Charlotte, North Carolina 28202
Posting Statements:
- Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.
- Required location(s) listed above. Relocation assistance is not available for this position
- Salary range is determined by location of the job. May be considered for a discretionary bonus, Restricted Share Rights, or other long – term incentive awards.
- This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship
- This role is NOT available for 100% remote work
Pay Range
Reflected is the base pay range offered for this position. Pay may vary depending on factors including but not limited to demonstrated examples of prior performance, skills, experience, or work location. Employees may also be eligible for incentive opportunities. $159,000.00 - $305,000.00
Benefits
Wells Fargo provides eligible employees with a comprehensive set of benefits, many of which are listed below. Visit Benefits - Wells Fargo Jobs for an overview of the following benefit plans and programs offered to employees.
- Health benefits
- 401(k) Plan
- Paid time off
- Disability benefits
- Life insurance, critical illness insurance, and accident insurance
- Parental leave
- Critical caregiving leave
- Discounts and savings
- Commuter benefits
- Tuition reimbursement
- Scholarships for dependent children
- Adoption reimbursement
Posting End Date:
16 Nov 2026- Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.
We Value Equal Opportunity
Wells Fargo is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected characteristic.
Employees support our focus on building strong customer relationships balanced with a strong risk mitigating and compliance-driven culture which firmly establishes those disciplines as critical to the success of our customers and company. They are accountable for execution of all applicable risk programs (Credit, Market, Financial Crimes, Operational, Regulatory Compliance), which includes effectively following and adhering to applicable Wells Fargo policies and procedures, appropriately fulfilling risk and compliance obligations, timely and effective escalation and remediation of issues, and making sound risk decisions. There is emphasis on proactive monitoring, governance, risk identification and escalation, as well as making sound risk decisions commensurate with the business unit’s risk appetite and all risk and compliance program requirements.
Applicants with Disabilities
To request a medical accommodation during the application or interview process, visit Disability Inclusion at Wells Fargo.
Drug and Alcohol Policy
Wells Fargo maintains a drug free workplace. Please see our Drug and Alcohol Policy to learn more.
Wells Fargo Recruitment and Hiring Requirements:
a. Third-Party recordings are prohibited unless authorized by Wells Fargo.
b. Wells Fargo requires you to directly represent your own experiences during the recruiting and hiring process.
c. Please be prepared to provide accurate information and supporting documentation in connection with any lawful employment and education verification conducted by Wells Fargo.
At Wells Fargo, a Principal Architect advises senior leaders on architecture strategy, target-state direction, and technology transformation efforts, leading the resolution of highly complex, enterprise-wide challenges that span multiple domains and organizations. Learn more about career areas and business divisions at wellsfargojobs.com
This Principal Enterprise Data Architect will provide architecture leadership for enterprise data environments supporting Technology and Cybersecurity, defining the strategy for how data is sourced, governed, integrated, processed, shared, and consumed across a complex ecosystem.
The role will lead the evolution of multiple existing data environments toward a cohesive target-state architecture, establishing modern patterns for data products, semantic access, APIs, real-time and event-driven integration, cloud data platforms, and governed data consumption. The architect will combine long-term strategy with hands-on architecture validation, including proofs of concept that evaluate emerging technologies and architecture approaches.
Experience with ServiceNow and its underlying data model is preferred, particularly as it relates to integrating ServiceNow data with broader enterprise data ecosystems.
In this role, you will
- Advise senior technology leaders on enterprise data architecture strategy, target-state direction, and transformation priorities across Technology and Cybersecurity domains.
- Define current-state, target-state, and transition architectures for complex enterprise data environments and modernization initiatives.
- Establish enterprise architecture patterns for data sourcing, integration, storage, processing, distribution, and consumption.
- Develop strategies to reduce unnecessary data duplication and enable scalable, governed access to shared enterprise information.
- Define architecture patterns for data products, semantic layers, APIs, event-driven and real-time data distribution, batch processing, data virtualization, and federated access.
- Establish standards for conceptual, logical, canonical, and domain data models and promote consistent information definitions across platforms.
- Define authoritative data sources, systems of record and reference, data ownership, and appropriate sourcing and distribution patterns.
- Establish standards for metadata, lineage, data quality, data contracts, semantic models, business definitions, and traceability.
- Evaluate and guide modernization of enterprise data environments across cloud and hybrid platforms, including AWS and Google Cloud Platform.
- Design and lead proofs of concept to validate new architecture approaches, technology capabilities, integration patterns, and data-serving models.
- Influence technology investments and evaluate architecture alternatives based on scalability, performance, resiliency, risk, cost, and long-term sustainability.
- Partner with application, cybersecurity, cloud, platform, data engineering, and governance teams to ensure architecture approaches meet enterprise requirements.
- Assess emerging data technologies and recommend innovations that improve data accessibility, reliability, efficiency, and strategic business outcomes.
Required Qualifications
- 7+ years of architecture experience, or equivalent demonstrated through one or a combination of the following: work experience, training, military experience, education
- 5+ years of experience defining enterprise data architecture, including data modeling, integration, data sourcing, distribution, and consumption patterns across complex technology environments.
Desired Qualifications
- Extensive experience defining enterprise data architecture strategies, target-state architectures, and multi-year modernization roadmaps for large, complex technology environments.
- Experience architecting at scale across multiple data platforms, data lakes, lakehouses, warehouses, operational data stores, and cloud data environments.
- Demonstrated ability to define architectures that enable large numbers of downstream consumers to access trusted data while minimizing unnecessary data movement and duplication.
- Deep knowledge of data modeling, semantic layers, data products, metadata management, lineage, data quality, authoritative sources, governance, and information lifecycle management.
- Experience defining data integration and distribution patterns using APIs, event-driven architectures, streaming, batch pipelines, data virtualization, and federated access.
- Experience architecting solutions within AWS and/or Google Cloud Platform, including the modernization of legacy or on-premises data environments.
- Demonstrated experience moving between architecture strategy and execution, including leading proofs of concept and validating architecture patterns against real-world use cases.
- Ability to evaluate technology alternatives and architectural tradeoffs across scalability, resiliency, performance, security, cost, risk, and long-term sustainability.
- Experience influencing senior leaders, engineering organizations, product teams, cybersecurity partners, and external technology vendors.
- Experience working within highly regulated environments and incorporating cybersecurity, privacy, risk, governance, and control requirements into architecture decisions.
- Knowledge of ServiceNow data models and enterprise ServiceNow environments is preferred.
- Financial services experience is preferred
Locations:
- 333 Market St, San Francisco, California 94105
- 401 Las Colinas Blvd W Bldg. A - Irving, Texas 75039
- 300 S Brevard, Charlotte, North Carolina 28202
Posting Statements:
- Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.
- Required location(s) listed above. Relocation assistance is not available for this position
- Salary range is determined by location of the job. May be considered for a discretionary bonus, Restricted Share Rights, or other long – term incentive awards.
- This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship
- This role is NOT available for 100% remote work
Pay Range
Reflected is the base pay range offered for this position. Pay may vary depending on factors including but not limited to demonstrated examples of prior performance, skills, experience, or work location. Employees may also be eligible for incentive opportunities. $159,000.00 - $305,000.00
Benefits
Wells Fargo provides eligible employees with a comprehensive set of benefits, many of which are listed below. Visit Benefits - Wells Fargo Jobs for an overview of the following benefit plans and programs offered to employees.
- Health benefits
- 401(k) Plan
- Paid time off
- Disability benefits
- Life insurance, critical illness insurance, and accident insurance
- Parental leave
- Critical caregiving leave
- Discounts and savings
- Commuter benefits
- Tuition reimbursement
- Scholarships for dependent children
- Adoption reimbursement
Posting End Date:
16 Nov 2026- Job posting may come down early due to volume of applicants.
We Value Equal Opportunity
Wells Fargo is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected characteristic.
Employees support our focus on building strong customer relationships balanced with a strong risk mitigating and compliance-driven culture which firmly establishes those disciplines as critical to the success of our customers and company. They are accountable for execution of all applicable risk programs (Credit, Market, Financial Crimes, Operational, Regulatory Compliance), which includes effectively following and adhering to applicable Wells Fargo policies and procedures, appropriately fulfilling risk and compliance obligations, timely and effective escalation and remediation of issues, and making sound risk decisions. There is emphasis on proactive monitoring, governance, risk identification and escalation, as well as making sound risk decisions commensurate with the business unit’s risk appetite and all risk and compliance program requirements.
Applicants with Disabilities
To request a medical accommodation during the application or interview process, visit Disability Inclusion at Wells Fargo.
Drug and Alcohol Policy
Wells Fargo maintains a drug free workplace. Please see our Drug and Alcohol Policy to learn more.
Wells Fargo Recruitment and Hiring Requirements:
a. Third-Party recordings are prohibited unless authorized by Wells Fargo.
b. Wells Fargo requires you to directly represent your own experiences during the recruiting and hiring process.
c. Please be prepared to provide accurate information and supporting documentation in connection with any lawful employment and education verification conducted by Wells Fargo.
Lead Data Architect Jobs by Experience Level
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Find Lead Data Architect JobsLead Data Architect Job Market
Who's Hiring
- JPMorganChase15
- Amazon Web Services14
- Booz Allen Hamilton11
- Accenture8
- Capgemini8
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software66
- Consulting & Professional Services22
- Electronics & Hardware7
- Staffing & Recruiting5
- Science & Research4
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in lead data architect jobs.
- 7 or more years of experience in data engineering or data architecture roles
- Proficiency with cloud data platforms such as Snowflake, Databricks, BigQuery, or Redshift
- Strong background in dimensional modeling, data vault, or enterprise data modeling techniques
- Experience designing and governing large-scale data pipelines using tools like Apache Spark or dbt
- Familiarity with data governance frameworks, data cataloging, and metadata management practices
- Bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, information systems, or a related technical field
Tips for Your Lead Data Architect Job Search
Tailor your resume to data platform depth
Lead data architect roles expect evidence of end-to-end ownership, not just tool familiarity. Highlight the scale of data pipelines you designed, the platforms you chose and why, and the business outcomes your architecture decisions drove.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists lead data architect openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Show governance and modeling alongside engineering
Many candidates oversell pipeline work and undersell data modeling and governance experience. Job postings for lead data architects frequently require proficiency with dimensional modeling, data contracts, or metadata management, so include those explicitly in your resume.
Filter postings by tech stack before applying
Lead data architect job descriptions vary widely by cloud environment. Prioritize openings where your primary platform, whether Snowflake, Databricks, BigQuery, or Redshift, matches the employer's stack, since onboarding expectations are much tighter at this seniority level.
Prepare a whiteboard architecture walkthrough
Most lead data architect interviews include a live system design exercise. Practice narrating your design decisions out loud, covering trade-offs between storage formats, ingestion patterns, and access control, since interviewers evaluate how you think, not just what you produce.
Negotiate scope alongside compensation
At the lead architect level, the scope of your mandate, whether you own one domain or the full enterprise data layer, affects your long-term career trajectory. Clarify team size, reporting structure, and architectural authority during the offer stage, before you accept.
Lead Data Architect Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most lead data architects?
The most active employers for lead data architects right now are JPMorganChase, Amazon Web Services, and Booz Allen Hamilton, and the most openings are in Virginia, Texas, and California, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Financial services, healthcare systems, and large technology firms consistently post the highest volume of lead-level data architecture roles.
How many lead data architect jobs are remote?
About 75% of lead data architect openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting strong demand for distributed architecture leadership. Cloud platform architecture, data governance design, and technical mentorship work tend to be the most remote-friendly functions, while roles tied to on-premises data centers or regulated industries such as defense often require on-site presence.
How do you become a lead data architect?
Start by building deep expertise in at least one cloud data platform and mastering data modeling techniques such as dimensional modeling or data vault. Progress from data engineering into architecture roles by taking ownership of design decisions on cross-functional projects. Develop skills in data governance, metadata management, and stakeholder communication, since lead architects are expected to align technical decisions with business strategy. Earning a cloud certification from a major provider strengthens your candidacy for senior positions.
Can you get hired as a lead data architect without prior architect experience?
Yes, but you need to demonstrate architectural thinking in your existing work rather than relying on a formal title. Employers hiring first-time lead architects look for candidates who have owned database schema design, led platform migrations, or made build-versus-buy decisions in a senior engineering role. Documenting those decisions in your resume and portfolio, with the trade-offs you evaluated, is more effective than pursuing a title change alone.
What does the lead data architect interview process look like?
Most lead data architect interview processes include a recruiter screen, a technical phone interview covering data modeling and cloud platform choices, and a live system design exercise where you architect a solution to a realistic data problem. Later rounds typically involve a panel with engineering leaders and cross-functional stakeholders who assess how you communicate trade-offs and align architecture decisions with business requirements. Some employers also include a take-home design case.
Where can I find and apply to lead data architect jobs?
You can find and apply to lead data architect jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the United States. Search for roles that match your platform expertise, industry background, and seniority level, then apply directly to each listing that fits.
See All 795+ Lead Data Architect Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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