Role Overview
We are seeking a senior Application Data Architect to lead the design and implementation of complex, event-driven data ecosystems within a retail banking environment. In this role, you will act as a foundational architect, defining how data flows across the enterprise—from legacy on-premise mainframes to modern, high-throughput streaming platforms. The ideal candidate is an expert in data movement and integration, with a deep specialization in Kafka and API-led connectivity. You will be responsible for ensuring that our data architecture is scalable, resilient, and compliant, serving as the bridge between business objectives and technical execution.
Key Responsibilities
Streaming & Event Architecture: Own the architectural strategy for high-volume data streaming using Kafka, defining patterns for real-time ingestion, event processing, and complex data pipeline orchestration.
Integration Strategy: Architect comprehensive API-led integration solutions (REST/SOAP/gRPC) that enable secure and efficient data exchange between modern cloud services and on-premise core banking platforms.
Data Design & Modeling: Establish canonical data models and integration contracts that enforce data consistency across the enterprise.
Governance & Lineage: Partner with data governance teams to enforce strict data quality, lineage, and PII handling standards, ensuring all streaming and integration patterns remain audit-ready.
Technical Oversight: Provide architecture guidance and oversight throughout the development lifecycle, focusing on system performance, scalability, and the reduction of technical debt.
Banking Domain Alignment: Design solutions that align with financial services architectural frameworks—specifically leveraging the BIAN (Banking Industry Architecture Network) reference model where applicable—to standardize service definitions and business capabilities.
Stakeholder Engagement: Translate complex data architecture requirements into executive-level blueprints, acting as the subject matter expert for data streaming and API strategy.
- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field
10+ years of progressive experience in enterprise data architecture or senior engineering.
Deep Expertise in Kafka: Proven experience architecting complex, large-scale data streaming environments in high-concurrency settings.
API Architecture: Extensive background in designing and managing API-first architectures within hybrid (cloud/on-premise) environments.
Data Integration: Proficiency in designing data flows across disparate systems, including mainframes, legacy databases, and modern data platforms.
Banking Domain Expertise: Solid understanding of retail banking workflows, transaction processing, and data sensitivity requirements.
Architectural Communication: Ability to define and document "big picture" data strategies and mentor engineering teams on best practices.
Preferred Qualifications
BIAN Framework: Prior experience applying the BIAN architectural reference model to banking technology design is heavily preferred.
Regulatory Compliance: Experience working in highly regulated environments with stringent disaster recovery and data security mandates.
Cloud/Hybrid Modernization: Experience migrating legacy batch-processing systems to real-time event-driven architectures.
Industry Certifications: Relevant architecture certifications (e.g., TOGAF, Confluent Certified Architect for Apache Kafka, or equivalent).
Location: Pittsburgh, PA (relocation assistance is offered)
About Techstra Solutions
Techstra Solutions is a certified woman-owned (WBENC) management consulting firm specializing in strategy, technology, and implementation services for large organizations undergoing digital and talent transformation. Our experienced team partners with clients to co-create innovative solutions in applications, data, AI, and automation that accelerate measurable, sustainable change. From advisory consulting through technical execution, we are dedicated to driving world-class business solutions that fit your strategic requirements and deliver results. For more information: www.techstrasolutions.com
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or related field
- 10+ years of progressive experience in enterprise data architecture or senior engineering
- Deep expertise architecting large-scale Apache Kafka data streaming environments
- Designing and managing API-first architectures (REST, SOAP, gRPC) in hybrid environments
- Proficiency designing data integration across mainframes, legacy databases, and modern platforms
- Strong understanding of retail banking workflows, transaction processing, and data sensitivity requirements
- Ability to define and document enterprise data strategies and mentor engineering teams
- Experience applying the BIAN architectural reference model to banking technology design
- Experience with regulatory compliance, disaster recovery, and data security in regulated environments
- Experience migrating legacy batch systems to real-time event-driven architectures (cloud/hybrid modernization)
- Relevant architecture certifications (e.g., TOGAF, Confluent Certified Architect)
What We Do
Techstra Solutions is a certified woman-owned consulting firm that provides strategy, technology and implementation support to large organizations undergoing digital and talent transformation. The rapid pace of technology innovation required to remain competitive, juxtaposed with the slow rate of change in many organizations, causes most to struggle. To be successful companies must drive new ways of working including the use of technology/analytics and new skillsets (hard/soft) deep into their culture so that they are able to rapidly and continuously react to change. They must also apply new approaches that empower their employees, ensuring its sustainability. At Techstra Solutions we focus on four key areas, otherwise known as the 4 A’s: Automation (Robotic Process Automation (RPA)/Intelligent Automation), Analytics (Reporting/Analytics/AI/ML), Application Modernization (Cloud, Mobility, etc), and Agile-based solutions (DevOps).
