What does a data architect do?
A Data Architect is responsible for designing, creating, deploying, and managing an organization's data architecture. They define how the data will be stored, consumed, integrated, and managed by different data entities.
Data architect responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real data architect resumes:
- Handle large projects throughout SDLC phases and manage teams and deliver successfully.
- Design and manage reference data and master data programs: design and implement RDM and MDM solutions.
- Lead the evaluation process for an ultimate dashboard solutions that can provide fast development and powerful visualization plus self-service features.
- Report procedures against SSAS are constructed and ExcelWriter templates are developed to automate and replace existing manually generate, client-contract reports.
- Deploy and monitor jobs and applications running on Hadoop clusters for making continuous improvement to existing architecture.
- Provide data integration scheduling, exception management, event notification and ETL operational reporting and audit services.
- Create SAS coding and conversion standards.
- Implement an SDLC methodology to be used throughout the enterprise.
- Coach select client personnel on CRM configuration activities for support purposes.
- Perform cloud assessments and evaluate vendor solutions that can be integrate.
- Develop python scripts to ingest and process data deliver from the finance team.
- Perform as the lead for data center consolidation and application migration to cloud.
- Involve in the design of new reports using SAS enhancing the corporate reports.
- Plan and install db server software and upgrade assured of db security and integrity.
- Co-Le project to decrease waiting times for transplant patients to receive reimbursement of travel expenses.
Data architect skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Data Architects are proficient in Analytics, Architecture, and Java. They’re also known for soft skills such as Leadership skills, Organizational skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Data Architects that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Analytics, 9%
Designed the Global Program Dashboard, a module providing high-level client aggregations and analytics with support for conformed foreign currency presentation.
- Architecture, 7%
Provided End-to-End Business solution driven architecture for Data Integration across heterogeneous environment using Golden Gate and got rid of AQ mechanisms.
- Java, 5%
Developed Java based data application for major automated database conversions.
- Data Lake, 4%
Push data from flat file sources (can be external and internal) to data lake (Hadoop environment).
- AWS, 4%
Used AWS (Amazon Web Services) Cloud computing EC2 for provisioning like new instance (VM) creation.
- Hadoop, 4%
Deployed and monitored jobs and applications running on Hadoop clusters for making continuous improvement to existing architecture.
Most data architects use their skills in "analytics," "architecture," and "java" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential data architect responsibilities here:
Leadership skills. One of the key soft skills for a data architect to have is leadership skills. You can see how this relates to what data architects do because "many computer network architects direct teams of engineers, such as computer hardware engineers, who build the networks they have designed." Additionally, a data architect resume shows how data architects use leadership skills: "provided technical and infrastructure leadership in the development and deployment of infrastructure solutions as it relates to data warehousing. "
Organizational skills. Many data architect duties rely on organizational skills. "computer network architects who work for large firms must coordinate many different types of communication networks and make sure they work well together.," so a data architect will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways data architect responsibilities rely on organizational skills: "support the organizational data warehouse through appropriate utilization of etl and bi tools. "
Detail oriented. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of data architects is detail oriented. This skill is critical to many everyday data architect duties, as "computer network architects create comprehensive plans of the networks they are creating with precise information describing how the network parts will work together." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "used detailed design documents to identify etl testing requirements and develop data quality strategies. "
Analytical skills. For certain data architect responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "analytical skills." The day-to-day duties of a data architect rely on this skill, as "computer network architects have to examine data networks and decide how to best connect the networks based on the needs and resources of the organization." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what data architects do: "collaborate with other engineers to determine reporting and data visualization requirements and develop features that add new functionality to the platform. "
The three companies that hire the most data architects are:
- Amazon486 data architects jobs
- Deloitte383 data architects jobs
- General Dynamics Mission Systems
163 data architects jobs
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Compare different data architects
Data architect vs. Senior data analyst-
The role of a senior data analyst is to oversee and conduct data conversion into insights leading to informed business decisions. Senior data analysts work directly with the top management and executives and stakeholders of businesses. Their duties and responsibilities include data collection and interpretation, data set pattern and trend identification, and business management. Skills in leadership, management, technicalities, data management, and data analysis are a must in this job. They should also develop their communication skills and attention to detail.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, data architect responsibilities require skills like "analytics," "architecture," "aws," and "python." Meanwhile a typical senior data analyst- has skills in areas such as "dashboards," "statistical analysis," "powerpoint," and "excellent interpersonal." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Senior data analysts really shine in the government industry with an average salary of $96,561. Comparatively, data architects tend to make the most money in the automotive industry with an average salary of $112,083.senior data analysts tend to reach lower levels of education than data architects. In fact, senior data analysts are 7.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Data architect vs. Data warehouse developer
Data Warehouse Developers are information technology (IT) professionals assigned to manage company-related information or data. They are responsible for creating the company's data warehouse, where the company's data will be stored. Data warehouse developers are also expected to provide the maintenance needs related to the program.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, data architect responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "analytics," "architecture," "aws," and "python." Meanwhile, a data warehouse developer has duties that require skills in areas such as "microsoft sql server," "data models," "repository," and "technical specifications." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Data warehouse developers earn a lower average salary than data architects. But data warehouse developers earn the highest pay in the insurance industry, with an average salary of $107,723. Additionally, data architects earn the highest salaries in the automotive with average pay of $112,083 annually.In general, data warehouse developers achieve similar levels of education than data architects. They're 2.1% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 0.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for data architects in the next 3-5 years?
Dak Kopec Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Coordinator, BA Interior Architecture and Design and Master of Design Program, University Of Nevada, Las Vegas
Data architect vs. Data engineer
A data engineer is someone who makes data science possible. This IT job requires the search for data set trends and algorithm development to make raw data more beneficial to the enterprise. Data engineers are responsible for establishing and maintaining an environment that permits other data functions. The necessary skills for the job include in-depth knowledge of multiple programming languages and SQL database design. Among the other skills data engineers should develop include data warehousing and architecture, data mining and modeling, and statistical regression analysis.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, data architects are more likely to have skills like "analytics," "architecture," "aws," and "hadoop." But a data engineer is more likely to have skills like "cloud," "scala," "data analytics," and "redshift."
Data engineers make a very good living in the technology industry with an average annual salary of $125,579. On the other hand, data architects are paid the highest salary in the automotive industry, with average annual pay of $112,083.data engineers typically earn lower educational levels compared to data architects. Specifically, they're 5.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Data architect vs. Data consultant
A data consultant is primarily responsible for devising strategies on finding data and utilizing them according to the needs of a company. Most of the time, they are in charge of gathering data through various means and opportunities, maintaining and designing a database, coordinating with multiple data specialists, inspecting data for any inconsistencies, and performing corrective measures. Furthermore, a data consultant may develop systems and networks for data storage, all while adhering to the policies and standards of the company.
Types of data architect
Updated January 8, 2025
