Principal Data Architect

Description and Requirements
The Team You Will Join
At MetLife, data isn't just a tool - it is a catalyst for growth. As part of our Data & Analytics organization, you'll unlock trusted insights that drive bold decisions, power personalized customer experiences, and deliver lasting business impact. Your skills in AI, predictive modeling, and advanced analytics will help solve complex challenges, scale solutions globally, and fuel innovation across every region. We're building the future of data - one that's governed responsibly, engineered for scalability, and designed for growth. When you join us, you're not just supporting the business - you're empowering it. Let's transform insight into impact and data into action, together.
The Opportunity
The Principal Data Architect is responsible for defining and executing enterprise data architecture and analytics solutions that enable scalable, secure, and high-quality data delivery across the organization. This is an exciting opportunity to design innovative cloud-based data solutions, influence enterprise data strategy, and partner with business and technology leaders to solve complex challenges and unlock actionable insights.
Key Responsibilities

• Lead the design and delivery of secure, scalable enterprise data and analytics solutions on Azure.
• Create future-state data architectures, solution designs, and technical standards aligned to business strategy.
• Oversee large-scale data integration, ETL/ELT pipelines, and cloud data platform implementations.
• Manage stakeholder engagement, solution roadmaps, and alignment with enterprise governance, privacy, and compliance standards.
• Develop reusable frameworks, design patterns, and innovations to accelerate data solution delivery.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams across business, engineering, and architecture to deliver high-impact data solutions.

Required Qualifications

• 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.
• Experience with DevOps practices, including Git, Azure or AWS DevOps, and CI/CD pipelines.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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.

Location Expectation: This is a hybrid role requiring a minimum of 3 days per week in office.
The expected salary range for this position is $125,000 - $190,000 . This role may also be eligible for annual short-term incentive compensation and stock-based long-term incentives. 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, paid time off, paid holidays, 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.
#BI-Hybrid