Senior Architect – Data Engineering (Databricks) - Contractor

Accountabilities:: Collaborate with data practice leaders to support business development, recruitment, account management, consulting delivery, and operational excellence. Contribute to the development of a growing Databricks Center of Excellence, providing technical leadership across complex data engineering projects. Act as a Databricks Subject Matter Expert (SME), advising clients on architecture best practices, scalable data engineering solutions, and modern analytics platforms. Design, develop, and oversee large-scale data architecture initiatives using Databricks technologies, including Delta Lake, Delta Live Tables, Unity Catalog, and Apache Iceberg. Provide strategic and technical direction to data engineering teams, ensuring architecture decisions align with client objectives and maximize the capabilities of the Databricks platform. Serve as a trusted advisor to clients, guiding their digital transformation journeys and helping define long-term data strategies and target architectures. Lead pre-sales and business development engagements as a Sales Solution Lead or Lead Architect, designing tailored technical solutions, proposals, and Statements of Work (SOWs). Lead large-scale Databricks migration and modernization projects as a Delivery Solution Lead, managing multidisciplinary teams of data architects and engineers. Oversee project execution, including planning, budgeting, risk management, deliverables, and alignment with executive stakeholders. Identify opportunities to expand existing client relationships through innovative data solutions and strategic account development. Evaluate emerging technologies, tools, and industry trends, recommending solutions that support client objectives and future data strategies. Mentor technical professionals, promote knowledge sharing, and encourage a culture of innovation, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Maintain a business-focused approach, ensuring technology initiatives deliver measurable outcomes and strengthen clients' competitive advantage. Requirements: 10+ years of professional experience in data engineering or data architecture, including at least 6 years of extensive hands-on experience with Databricks. Strong expertise in Databricks platform capabilities and technologies, particularly Delta Lake, Delta Live Tables, Unity Catalog, and Apache Iceberg. Extensive knowledge of Big Data platforms, cloud data warehouses, modern data architectures, and object-oriented programming. Strong understanding of NoSQL databases, container management and orchestration systems, and AI/ML tools. Proven ability to design customized data platforms and governance architectures that address complex business requirements. Demonstrated experience delivering enterprise-scale data and AI platform solutions that generate measurable business value. Significant experience leading large-scale data migration and modernization initiatives, particularly transitioning legacy data warehouses to Databricks Lakehouse architectures. Strong understanding of Databricks governance, security, scalability, and platform capabilities, with the ability to translate business needs into effective technical solutions. Proven experience leading complex Databricks implementation and delivery engagements, including technical architecture, team leadership, and project execution. Ability to lead client-facing pre-sales activities, develop technical proposals, define solution approaches, and contribute to business growth. Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and strategic advisory skills, with the ability to engage effectively with both technical teams and executive leadership. Strong leadership and mentoring capabilities, with a collaborative mindset and the ability to inspire multidisciplinary teams. A Databricks Certified Data Engineer Professional certification is highly desirable, particularly when supported by experience leading multiple complex Databricks implementations. Benefits: Contract-based engagement with an initial duration of 6+ months. Expected start date: December 2026 or January 2027. Remote working opportunity from anywhere in India. Opportunity to contribute to a growing Databricks Center of Excellence. Exposure to large-scale enterprise data transformation and cloud modernization initiatives. Opportunity to work with advanced technologies across data engineering, cloud platforms, Lakehouse architecture, and AI/ML. Strategic leadership responsibilities across architecture, consulting, pre-sales, and project delivery. Direct involvement in high-impact projects for major enterprise and public-sector clients. Opportunities to mentor technical teams, influence technology strategies, and contribute to business development initiatives. Collaborative and people-focused working environment that values innovation, ownership, professional growth, and employee wellbeing.