Data Architect

SALARY:$79,788.80 - $93,870.30

LOCATION: 33 N. High St. Columbus, OH 43215

BENEFITS:

• Medical, Vision, Dental, Supplemental and Life Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Employee Discounts
• COTA Bus Pass
• Wellness Initiatives
• On-Site Chair Massage
• On-Site Health Coach
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Student Loan Repayment Program
• Public Pension through OPERS & Ohio Deferred Compensation

POSITION SUMMARY:

COTA's Data Architect defines and advances the enterprise data architecture strategy to ensure alignment with organizational priorities and roadmaps. This role provides strategic and hands‑on leadership in designing and governing the data ecosystem that supports COTA's analytics and data management capabilities. The Data Architect drives innovation, cultivates trust, and delivers solutions that cultivates a data-centric transit culture.

Performs duties that advance COTA's Strategic Plan and reflect the organization's core values of safety, empowerment, accountability, teamwork, and service, and support the mission of Moving Every Life Forward.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Lead the development and ongoing advancement of COTA's enterprise data architecture framework by defining and delivering conceptual, logical, and physical models that govern how data is stored, processed, and accessed, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and future scalability.
• Design and implement modern data architecture leveraging cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure), data warehouse technologies including Snowflake, and emerging capabilities in AI and Power BI.
• Define database architectures that meet performance, resiliency, recoverability, and cost objectives.
• Champion data confidentiality, security, and compliance by applying protection controls and establishing security patterns at the database, table, column, and API levels.
• Develop reusable architectural patterns for dynamic tables, ingestion zones, and domain aligned data products.
• Provide expert guidance on SQL Server and other database platforms, including troubleshooting, tuning, monitoring, and architectural optimization.
• Advise on database implementations to ensure alignment with enterprise standards and compliance obligations.
• Lead large scale data migration initiatives from legacy environments to cloud or hybrid architectures.
• Define target state architectures and transition plans that modernize data ecosystems and accelerate adoption of emerging technologies.
• Establish standards for Data-as-a-Product, including metadata, lineage, ownership, and interoperability.
• Oversee data quality, validation, and cutover strategies to ensure successful platform transitions.
• Mentor database administrators, engineers, and solution teams to promote consistent adoption of architectural best practices.
• Influence business and technology stakeholders through clear communication, structured reasoning, and technical expertise.
• Demonstrate deep experience designing conceptual and logical data models, canonical models, and domain aligned data products.
• Regular, predictable and punctual attendance required; and,
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• Bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field and a minimum of five (5) years of experience. An equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will also be considered.

COTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions are based on job needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, age, genetic information, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status