Principal Data Architect

Description and Requirements
Role Value Proposition:
The Data Architect serves as a pivotal force in driving the organization's data and analytics strategy, delivering transformative impact across the entire data lifecycle. Leveraging deep expertise in data warehousing, big data, engineering, and cloud technologies, this role is entrusted with architecting and designing scalable, innovative solutions that address complex business challenges. As both a technical thought leader and hands-on contributor, the Data Architect provides visionary guidance to data engineers while mentoring and developing fellow architects and engineers, thereby cultivating a high-performance team. By championing best practices in data architecture and analytics, this role empowers the organization to unlock actionable insights, ensure data quality and security, and foster a culture of continuous improvement and technical excellence.
Key Responsibilities:

• Architect, design, and deliver scalable, efficient, and trustworthy enterprise data solutions using modern Azure technologies.
• Analyze source systems and current data infrastructure to recommend future-state solutions aligned with business needs.
• Develop business and functional requirement documents and design specifications for data delivery.
• Partner with business and technology teams to co-create impactful data solutions and contribute to long-term data roadmaps.
• Institutionalize best practices and accelerate solution delivery through reusable frameworks, prototypes, and innovation initiative.
• Align data architecture with enterprise governance, privacy, and compliance standards (e.g., HIPAA).
• Lead and mentor teams focusing on talent acquisition, coaching, and professional development.
• Build, optimize, and maintain ETL/ELT pipelines for large, complex datasets, ensuring compliance with data standards and best practices.
• Translate business requirements into secure, high-performance Azure and Big Data solutions.
• Drive stakeholder engagement and effectively present solution architectures to diverse audiences.
• Stay current on industry trends, promoting the adoption of emerging cloud and data technologies.

Required Skills:

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or equivalent degree type.
• 10 - 12+ years of overall experience in modern data solution architecture, data engineering, data security and privacy, including end-to-end development and delivery across various industries and technologies.
• Data Architecture Expertise - Proven ability to design, implement, and optimize modern data architectures such as data warehouses, fabrics, lakes, marts, and/or mesh concepts to meet complex business needs and diverse consumption patterns (APIs, reporting, advanced analytics).
• Advanced skills with Databricks and Spark with most of the following: Data Factory, Functions, Event Hub, Cosmos DB, Azure SQL DB, Delta Lake, and big data platforms; deep understanding of building reliable and efficient data layers.
• Exceptional analytical and communication skills for effective collaboration with business stakeholders, business systems analysts, and technical teams.
• In-depth understanding of emerging trends in cloud and data technologies, with the ability to translate industry advancements into innovative and responsible solutions.
• Responsible for developing data solutions and creating comprehensive technical documentation.
• Understanding of the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance (BFSI) domain.
• Experience with DevOps practices, including Git, Azure or AWS DevOps, and CI/CD pipelines.

Preferred Skills:

• Familiarity with GenAI, LLMs, and AI integration in data platforms.
• Advanced knowledge of machine learning and AI integration within data pipelines.
• Relevant industry certifications such as Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert or AWS Certified Data Analytics - Specialty.

The expected salary range for this position is $120,000 - $165,000. This role may also be eligible for annual short-term incentive compensation. All incentives and benefits are subject to the applicable plan terms.
Benefits We Offer
Our U.S. benefits address holistic well-being with programs for physical and mental health, financial wellness, and support for families. We offer a comprehensive health plan that includes medical/prescription drug and vision, dental insurance, and no-cost short- and long-term disability. We also provide company-paid life insurance and legal services, a retirement pension funded entirely by MetLife and 401(k) with employer matching, group discounts on voluntary insurance products including auto and home, pet, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident insurance, as well as Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and digital mental health programs, parental leave, volunteer time off, tuition assistance and much more!
About MetLife
Recognized on Fortune magazine's list of the "World's Most Admired Companies", Fortune World's 25 Best Workplaces™, as well as the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For®, MetLife, through its subsidiaries and affiliates, is one of the world's leading financial services companies; providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to individual and institutional customers. With operations in more than 40 markets, we hold leading positions in the United States, Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
Our purpose is simple - to help our colleagues, customers, communities, and the world at large create a more confident future. United by purpose and guided by our core values - Win Together, Do the Right Thing, Deliver Impact Over Activity, and Think Ahead - we're inspired to transform the next century in financial services. At MetLife, it's #AllTogetherPossible . Join us!
MetLife is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions are made without regards to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, genetic information, citizenship status (although applicants and employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States), uniformed service member or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law ("protected characteristics").
If you need an accommodation due to a disability, please email us at [email protected]. This information will be held in confidence and used only to determine an appropriate accommodation for the application process.
MetLife maintains a drug-free workplace.
$120,000 - $165,000
#BI-Hybrid