Data Architect

12-Month Contract | Bryanston, Johannesburg

A leading Microsoft Consulting House is looking for a Data Architect to help organizations define, design, and develop data strategies that align with their business objectives. This role requires a strong understanding of data platforms, architecture, and governance-particularly within the Microsoft Fabric ecosystem. You'll be part of a collaborative and innovative data team, bringing together professionals from Software Engineering, Infrastructure, Data & AI, and BI Development. If you enjoy working on complex and high-impact projects, this is the perfect place to grow your career.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and implement data strategy aligned with business goals
• Design enterprise data architectures using Microsoft cloud technologies
• Build modern data pipelines, data streams, data warehouses, and lakehouses
• Develop data service APIs and expose data using Power BI, Azure API Apps, and other visualization tools
• Lead and support data platform sizing, configuration, and implementation
• Ensure strong data governance, including Master Data Management (MDM) and Data Quality processes
• Act as a trusted advisor to clients, influencing data strategy and best practices

Technical Skills & Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience with ETL tools, Data Factory Pipelines, Spark Notebooks, Databricks, SQL, SSAS & T-SQL
• Strong understanding of architecture patterns (Lambda, Medallion, Event-Driven)
• Expertise in data visualization using Power BI and Paginated Reports
• Advanced experience with Tabular Models (DAX) in Fabric
• Solid background in Azure, Fabric, and Synapse Analytics (MUST)

Business & Consulting Expertise

• 5+ years of consulting experience at a senior or intermediate level
• Ability to present to and engage with senior management
• Strong understanding of budgeting, timelines, and business value
• Experience speaking at industry events/conferences

What We're Looking For

• A self-motivated problem solver who thrives in a team environment
• Someone who can work independently with minimal supervision
• A professional who enjoys mentoring junior team members
• A strategic thinker who understands customer data platforms, aggregation, and integration in the Microsoft ecosystem