Are you a Data Architect who loves rolling up your sleeves - designing systems, building prototypes, and translating C-level vision into technical reality? If you're just as comfortable in an Azure Synapse pipeline as you are mentoring a junior engineer or explaining architecture decisions to a non-technical exec, this one's for you.
What You'll Be Doing
You'll step into a high-visibility, hands-on architecture role with direct exposure to the C-suite. This isn't a strategy-only seat, you'll be designing systems and building prototypes yourself, while guiding a team of mid-level and junior engineers provided by an external vendor. You'll translate executive requirements and KPIs into clear technical user stories, and serve as the bridge between developers and business stakeholders.
You'll also plug into the organization's growing AI initiatives - including AI proof of concepts, an expanding Microsoft Copilot rollout, and early work on agentic AI agents.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and architect data solutions across the Microsoft Azure stack, with hands-on build responsibility (not just design docs)
- Build prototypes and proofs of concept to validate architecture decisions before full-scale development
- Translate C-suite requirements and business KPIs into clear, actionable technical user stories for the engineering team
- Guide, mentor, and provide technical direction to a team of mid-level and junior engineers supplied by an external vendor
- Serve as the primary technical liaison between developers and business/executive stakeholders
- Own architecture decisions for Synapse and Data Factory pipelines, ensuring scalability and performance
- Contribute to the organization's AI roadmap, including AI POCs, Microsoft Copilot rollout, and early agentic AI initiatives
- Present technical strategy and progress updates to non-technical executive audiences
What You Bring
- 5+ years of hands-on experience in data architecture or lead data engineering roles
- Hands-on architecture/lead engineering experience - you can design systems and build prototypes, not just advise from the whiteboard
- Strong Microsoft Azure stack experience, including Synapse and Data Factory
- Experience with Microsoft Fabric
- Strong Python and SQL skills (PySpark a plus)
- Exceptional communication skills - you can bridge technical and non-technical audiences with ease
- Experience guiding and mentoring junior/mid-level engineers
Nice to Have
- Databricks experience (a natural bridge if you don't yet have Fabric hands-on time)
- Interest or experience in AI - especially agentic AI agents, Copilot, or similar tools
MMD Services Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, religion, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, ancestry, physical/mental disability, medical condition, military/veteran status, genetic information, marital status, ethnicity, alienage or any other protected classification, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
Pay: $65.00 - $85.00 per hour
Benefits:
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Downers Grove, IL 60515
