About the Opportunity
This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.
Job SummaryThe Senior Data Architect is responsible for architecting Northeastern University’s transition from legacy data structures to a modern, scalable, AI‑ready data architecture. This role conducts deep assessments of existing systems—including Banner, Workday, Salesforce, ServiceNow, Snowflake, and Azure—and designs future-state structures that support data products, analytics, automation, and AI/ML enablement. Establishes enterprise data standards, models, governance structures, and integration patterns, ensuring that data is trustworthy, discoverable, interoperable, secure, and prepared for advanced use cases such as RAG, vector search, semantic layers, and agentic workflows.
*Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. The University is unable to work sponsor for this role, now or in the future.
Minimum QualificationKnowledge and skills required for this position are typically acquired through the completion of a Bachelor's degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field and ten or more years of progressive experience in data architecture, enterprise data modeling, or data engineering.
Proven experience modernizing legacy data environments and designing cloud-native, AI-ready data architectures.
Experience working with large, complex enterprise systems (e.g., Banner, Workday, Salesforce, ServiceNow, Snowflake, Azure).
Demonstrated leadership in cross-functional initiatives involving data governance, analytics, and platform modernization.
Ability to translate complex technical concepts into business-aligned architectural decisions.
Strong communication and data storytelling skills for senior leadership and non-technical stakeholders.
Effective collaborator with demonstrated ability to drive alignment across distributed teams. Strong problem-solving, analytical thinking, and architectural documentation skills.
Ability to set and enforce standards, patterns, reusable components, and governance practices.
Technical Competencies:
Expertise in modern data architecture patterns (data products, lakehouse, domain-driven design, semantic layers).
Deep knowledge of Snowflake, Azure SQL, Databricks, or similar cloud data platforms.
Proficiency with DBT, Fivetran, Informatica, or equivalent ELT/ETL tools.
Experience with event-driven and API-based integrations (Kafka, EventHub, microservices).
Knowledge of AI/ML foundational components: vector databases, feature stores, RAG pipelines, metadata management.
Strong understanding of data modeling (conceptual, logical, physical), master data management, and data quality frameworks.
1) Modern Data Architecture & Strategy Development
Assess existing data structures, integrations, and legacy platforms.
Define the enterprise’s future-state data architecture aligned with AI, automation, and analytics needs.
Establish standards, patterns, and reusable frameworks
2) Data Modeling, Products & Platform Enablement
Create conceptual, logical, and physical data models across domains.
Partner with data owners to deliver scalable data products.
Support Snowflake, Azure, Salesforce, Banner, and ServiceNow data alignment
3) AI/ML Enablement & Advanced Capabilities
Design datasets and metadata structures supporting AI, RAG, vector search, and agentic workflows.
Collaborate with AI Studio and analytics teams to enable model training and inference at scale
4) Data Integration, Quality, and Governance
Lead ingestion architecture, streaming frameworks, and API integrations.
Implement data quality, lineage tracking, and governance practices.
Support FERPA, GDPR, and institutional compliance.
5) Serve as trusted advisor to academic and administrative partners
Communicate roadmaps and architectural decisions to ITS leadership
Position Type
Information TechnologyAdditional Information
Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.
Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.
All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
Compensation Grade/Pay Type:
114SExpected Hiring Range:
$130,945.00 - $189,868.75With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Engineering, or related field
- Ten or more years of progressive experience in data architecture, enterprise data modeling, or data engineering
- Proven experience modernizing legacy data environments
- Experience with enterprise systems like Banner, Workday, Salesforce
- Expertise in modern data architecture patterns
- Strong understanding of data modeling and data quality frameworks
Northeastern University Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Northeastern University and has not been reviewed or approved by Northeastern University.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Paid time off is described as extensive, including 22–26 vacation days, 12 sick days, 13 holidays, and paid parental leave for birth/adoption. Additional paid leave is also outlined, including up to 26 weeks of paid medical leave and up to 12 weeks of paid family leave for eligible employees.
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Retirement Support — Retirement support is positioned as a standout, with an employer contribution described as 10% when an employee contributes 5%, alongside immediate vesting once eligible. This is presented as unusually generous relative to typical employer retirement offerings.
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Parental & Family Support — Family-oriented benefits are emphasized through tuition assistance for employees and dependents and access to backup childcare and family-care resources. Tuition remission/discount structures are highlighted as a major value driver, especially for employees with children and for long-tenured staff.
Northeastern University Insights
What We Do
Founded in 1898, Northeastern is a global research university with a distinctive, experience-driven approach to education and discovery. The university is a leader in experiential learning, powered by the world’s most far-reaching cooperative education program. We integrate classroom study with opportunities for professional work, research, service, and global learning in more than 100 countries. The same spirit of collaboration guides a use-inspired research enterprise focused on solving global challenges in health, security, and sustainability. Northeastern offers a comprehensive array of undergraduate and graduate programs leading to degrees through the doctorate in nine colleges and schools, and select graduate programs at campuses in Boston, Charlotte, N.C., San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, and Toronto. Campuses in Burlington, MA, and Nahant, MA, are home to research institutes for homeland security and coastal sustainability, respectively
