Data Architect – Snowflake & AI Solutions

Job Title: Data Architect – Snowflake & AI Solutions
Location: New York, NY (Hybrid – 3 Days Onsite)
Duration: Long-Term Contract
Rate: DOE
Job Overview
We are seeking an experienced Data Architect with strong expertise in Snowflake, cloud data platforms, and AI-driven data solutions. The ideal candidate will lead the architecture, design, and optimization of scalable enterprise data platforms supporting analytics, reporting, and AI/ML initiatives.
This role requires deep hands-on experience with Snowflake architecture, modern data engineering practices, governance frameworks, and emerging AI capabilities such as Snowflake Cortex, semantic search, vector embeddings, and RAG-based solutions.
Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end architecture and solution design for Snowflake-based data platforms, including:
  • Logical and physical data modeling
  • Batch and streaming ingestion patterns
  • Snowpipe implementations
  • Raw, curated, and semantic/consumption data layers
  • Analytics, BI, and AI/ML consumption frameworks
• Design and optimize scalable, high-performance:
  • Data warehouses
  • Data lakes
  • Lakehouse architectures on Snowflake
• Implement performance tuning and cost optimization strategies, including:
  • Query optimization
  • Warehouse sizing and workload management
  • Auto-scaling and resource monitoring
• Architect AI-powered data solutions using Snowflake Cortex technologies:
  • Cortex LLM Functions
  • Cortex Search
  • Cortex Analyst
  • Document AI
  • Vector embeddings and semantic search
  • Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) architectures
  • Integration with external LLMs and AI platforms
• Define and enforce enterprise data governance and security standards:
  • RBAC
  • Dynamic data masking
  • Row/column-level security
  • Encryption and secure data sharing
  • Compliance and regulatory standards
• Design and implement scalable data pipelines integrating:
  • On-premises systems
  • Cloud platforms
  • SaaS applications
  • Real-time data processing using Streams, Tasks, and Snowpark
• Collaborate closely with:
  • Data Engineers
  • Data Scientists
  • Business Analysts
  • Product and Business Stakeholders
• Lead migration initiatives from legacy and on-prem systems to Snowflake.
• Establish enterprise reference architectures, reusable frameworks, and best practices.
• Implement disaster recovery, replication, high availability, and monitoring strategies.
• Mentor junior architects and engineers while promoting best practices in:
  • Data modeling
  • Semantic modeling
  • AI-ready data foundations
  • Data Vault and dimensional modeling methodologies

Required Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in:
  • Data Architecture
  • Data Engineering
  • Enterprise Data Platforms
• Minimum 4+ years of hands-on experience designing and optimizing Snowflake solutions.
• Strong expertise in Snowflake features including:
  • Snowpark
  • Tasks & Streams
  • Zero-copy cloning
  • Time Travel
  • Resource monitors
  • Data sharing
  • Security and governance controls
• Strong proficiency in:
  • SQL
  • ETL/ELT processes
  • Data modeling (conceptual, logical, physical)
• Experience with cloud platforms:
  • AWS
  • Azure
  • GCP
• Proven ability to design secure, scalable architectures supporting:
  • Analytics
  • Reporting
  • Machine Learning workloads
• Strong understanding of:
  • Data governance
  • Data quality
  • Lineage
  • Compliance frameworks (GDPR, SOC2, HIPAA)
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related field.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with Snowflake Cortex AI capabilities:
  • Cortex Search
  • Cortex Analyst
  • LLM functions
  • Vector embeddings
  • AI agents
  • RAG architectures
• SnowPro Certifications:
  • SnowPro Core
  • SnowPro Advanced
  • SnowPro Architect
• Experience with modern data stack tools:
  • dbt
  • Airflow
  • Kafka
  • Spark
  • Fivetran
  • Matillion
• Knowledge of:
  • AI/ML workflows
  • Semantic search
  • Vector databases
  • Generative AI integrations
• Experience with:
  • Data Vault 2.0
  • Dimensional modeling
  • Domain-driven design
• Prior experience in regulated enterprise environments such as:
  • Finance
  • Healthcare
  • Pharma

Additional Information

• Hybrid role requiring onsite presence in New York City 3 days per week.
• Strong communication and client-facing skills are essential.
• Candidates with architect-level Snowflake expertise and AI integration experience are highly preferred.