Data Architecture

Data Architecture is an individual-contributor Data + AI career progressing from guided delivery to enterprise expertise without requiring people management.

Function: Data & Analytics
Archetype: Architecture
Highest level: L7 · Distinguished Data Architect

Why it exists

Defines enterprise data architecture, models, integration patterns, platform boundaries and governance principles for scalable trusted data products.

Typical responsibilities

Deliver data architecture outcomes; apply data/AI standards; manage quality, reliability and risk; collaborate across product, engineering, security, legal and business teams; at senior levels shape enterprise standards and strategy.

Where the work happens

Technology companies, data/cloud platforms, financial services, consulting, shared services, product engineering and regulated enterprises adopting Data + AI.

How the career progresses

Associate Data Architect → Data Architect → Senior Data Architect → Staff Data Architect → Principal Data Architect → Senior Principal Data Architect → Distinguished Data Architect

Levels in this career

Six standard stages. The seventh exists only where the career provides for it.

Optional distinguished level. Not every career reaches it.

What is expected at L3 · Senior Data Architect

Apply data architecture capability at handles complex work, mentors others and influences team-level outcomes.

The five dimensions that change

Autonomy: Independent complex ownership
Scope: Handles complex work, mentors others and influences team-level outcomes.
Complexity: Complex
Influence: Multiple teams
Business impact: Domain/cross-team
Ambiguity: Moderate

What good looks like

Produces trustworthy data architecture outcomes, makes sound trade-offs, communicates evidence and risks, and demonstrates the autonomy and impact expected at L3.

Typical evidence

Completed data architecture work products or production outcomes; documented decisions; measurable improvements in quality, reliability, risk, speed, cost or business outcomes; peer/stakeholder evidence of L3 scope.

Skills expected at L3

Grouped as human, professional and technical. Target proficiency uses the P1–P7 scale, and each row says what that level means for that particular skill.

Human8

Human	P	Supporting
Clear verbal communicationCommunication & Language	P3WorkingSupporting	Applies Clear verbal communication independently in normal and moderately complex situations.
Clear written communicationCommunication & Language	P3WorkingSupporting	Applies Clear written communication independently in normal and moderately complex situations.
CollaborationCollaboration & Relationships	P3WorkingSupporting	Applies Collaboration independently in normal and moderately complex situations.
Critical thinkingThinking & Problem Solving	P3WorkingSupporting	Applies Critical thinking independently in normal and moderately complex situations.
Cross-functional collaborationCollaboration & Relationships	P3WorkingSupporting	Applies Cross-functional collaboration independently in normal and moderately complex situations.
Learning agilityExecution & Self-Management	P3WorkingSupporting	Applies Learning agility independently in normal and moderately complex situations.
Stakeholder alignmentInfluence & Leadership Without Authority	P3WorkingSupporting	Applies Stakeholder alignment independently in normal and moderately complex situations.
Structured problem solvingThinking & Problem Solving	P3WorkingSupporting	Applies Structured problem solving independently in normal and moderately complex situations.

Professional8

Professional	P	Supporting
Architecture governanceIT Service Management & Governance	P3WorkingSupporting	Applies Architecture governance independently in normal and moderately complex situations.
Data contracts governanceData & Analytics Practice	P3WorkingSupporting	Applies Data contracts governance independently in normal and moderately complex situations.
Data governanceCybersecurity, Privacy & Data Governance Standards	P3WorkingCore	Applies Data governance independently in normal and moderately complex situations.
Data mesh operating modelData & Analytics Practice	P3WorkingSupporting	Applies Data mesh operating model independently in normal and moderately complex situations.
Data product managementData & Analytics Practice	P3WorkingCore	Applies Data product management independently in normal and moderately complex situations.
Data quality managementCybersecurity, Privacy & Data Governance Standards	P3WorkingCore	Applies Data quality management independently in normal and moderately complex situations.
Data stewardshipCybersecurity, Privacy & Data Governance Standards	P3WorkingCore	Applies Data stewardship independently in normal and moderately complex situations.
Technology governanceIT Service Management & Governance	P3WorkingSupporting	Applies Technology governance independently in normal and moderately complex situations.

Technical12

Technical	P	Supporting
Apache KafkaDatabases & Data Platforms	P3WorkingSupporting	Applies Apache Kafka independently in normal production scenarios and troubleshoots common issues.
Apache SparkDatabases & Data Platforms	P3WorkingSupporting	Applies Apache Spark independently in normal production scenarios and troubleshoots common issues.
Data catalog platformsDatabases & Data Platforms	P3WorkingSupporting	Applies Data catalog platforms independently in normal production scenarios and troubleshoots common issues.
Data contract implementationDatabases & Data Platforms	P3WorkingSupporting	Applies Data contract implementation independently in normal production scenarios and troubleshoots common issues.
Data lake / lakehouse engineeringDatabases & Data Platforms	P3WorkingCore	Applies Data lake / lakehouse engineering independently in normal production scenarios and troubleshoots common issues.
Data lineage toolingDatabases & Data Platforms	P3WorkingSupporting	Applies Data lineage tooling independently in normal production scenarios and troubleshoots common issues.
Data mesh architectureDatabases & Data Platforms	P3WorkingCore	Applies Data mesh architecture independently in normal production scenarios and troubleshoots common issues.
Data modelingDatabases & Data Platforms	P3WorkingCore	Applies Data modeling independently in normal production scenarios and troubleshoots common issues.
Data warehouse engineeringDatabases & Data Platforms	P3WorkingCore	Applies Data warehouse engineering independently in normal production scenarios and troubleshoots common issues.
DatabricksDatabases & Data Platforms	P3WorkingSupporting	Applies Databricks independently in normal production scenarios and troubleshoots common issues.
ER modelingArchitecture & Modeling Tools	P3WorkingCore	Applies ER modeling independently in normal production scenarios and troubleshoots common issues.
Semantic layer engineeringAnalytics, BI & Data Visualization	P3WorkingCore	Applies Semantic layer engineering independently in normal production scenarios and troubleshoots common issues.

What changes from L3 to L4

Moving from Senior Data Architect to Staff Data Architect means greater autonomy, complexity, scope, influence and evidence of impact—not simply more tools.

How readiness is shown

Sustained evidence of operating at L4-type scope: handles representative complexity, influences expected stakeholders and produces durable measurable outcomes.

How to prepare

Take on one assignment at next-level scope; seek feedback; document decisions/outcomes; mentor others where appropriate; close highest-priority skill gaps.

Adjacent careers

Computed from shared skills. It is a signal for exploring, not a hiring or eligibility guarantee.

Career framework v21, active since August 17, 2026.