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.
- L1Associate Data Architect
- L2Data Architect
- L3Senior Data Architect
- L4Staff Data Architect
- L5Principal Data Architect
- L6Senior Principal Data Architect
- L7Distinguished Data Architect
Optional distinguished level. Not every career reaches it.
What is expected at L6 · Senior Principal Data Architect
Apply data architecture capability at acts as an enterprise expert influencing multiple domains and major outcomes.
The five dimensions that change
- Autonomy
- Enterprise authority
- Scope
- Acts as an enterprise expert influencing multiple domains and major outcomes.
- Complexity
- Systemic
- Influence
- Enterprise / industry
- Business impact
- Enterprise / industry
- Ambiguity
- High
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 L6.
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 L6 scope.
Skills expected at L6
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.
Human10
| Human | P | Supporting |
|---|---|---|
| Clear verbal communicationCommunication & Language | P6ExpertSupporting | Sets enterprise direction for Clear verbal communication and integrates it into governance and strategy. |
| Clear written communicationCommunication & Language | P6ExpertSupporting | Sets enterprise direction for Clear written communication and integrates it into governance and strategy. |
| CollaborationCollaboration & Relationships | P6ExpertSupporting | Sets enterprise direction for Collaboration and integrates it into governance and strategy. |
| Critical thinkingThinking & Problem Solving | P6ExpertSupporting | Sets enterprise direction for Critical thinking and integrates it into governance and strategy. |
| Cross-functional collaborationCollaboration & Relationships | P6ExpertSupporting | Sets enterprise direction for Cross-functional collaboration and integrates it into governance and strategy. |
| Learning agilityExecution & Self-Management | P6ExpertSupporting | Sets enterprise direction for Learning agility and integrates it into governance and strategy. |
| MentoringCollaboration & Relationships | P6ExpertSupporting | Sets enterprise direction for Mentoring and integrates it into governance and strategy. |
| Stakeholder alignmentInfluence & Leadership Without Authority | P6ExpertSupporting | Sets enterprise direction for Stakeholder alignment and integrates it into governance and strategy. |
| Strategic thinkingThinking & Problem Solving | P6ExpertSupporting | Sets enterprise direction for Strategic thinking and integrates it into governance and strategy. |
| Structured problem solvingThinking & Problem Solving | P6ExpertSupporting | Sets enterprise direction for Structured problem solving and integrates it into governance and strategy. |
Professional8
| Professional | P | Supporting |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture governanceIT Service Management & Governance | P6ExpertSupporting | Sets enterprise direction for Architecture governance and integrates it into governance and strategy. |
| Data contracts governanceData & Analytics Practice | P6ExpertSupporting | Sets enterprise direction for Data contracts governance and integrates it into governance and strategy. |
| Data governanceCybersecurity, Privacy & Data Governance Standards | P6ExpertCore | Sets enterprise direction for Data governance and integrates it into governance and strategy. |
| Data mesh operating modelData & Analytics Practice | P6ExpertSupporting | Sets enterprise direction for Data mesh operating model and integrates it into governance and strategy. |
| Data product managementData & Analytics Practice | P6ExpertCore | Sets enterprise direction for Data product management and integrates it into governance and strategy. |
| Data quality managementCybersecurity, Privacy & Data Governance Standards | P6ExpertCore | Sets enterprise direction for Data quality management and integrates it into governance and strategy. |
| Data stewardshipCybersecurity, Privacy & Data Governance Standards | P6ExpertCore | Sets enterprise direction for Data stewardship and integrates it into governance and strategy. |
| Technology governanceIT Service Management & Governance | P6ExpertSupporting | Sets enterprise direction for Technology governance and integrates it into governance and strategy. |
Technical13
| Technical | P | Supporting |
|---|---|---|
| Apache KafkaDatabases & Data Platforms | P6ExpertSupporting | Sets enterprise technical standards for Apache Kafka and shapes platform or architecture direction. |
| Apache SparkDatabases & Data Platforms | P6ExpertSupporting | Sets enterprise technical standards for Apache Spark and shapes platform or architecture direction. |
| Data catalog platformsDatabases & Data Platforms | P6ExpertSupporting | Sets enterprise technical standards for Data catalog platforms and shapes platform or architecture direction. |
| Data contract implementationDatabases & Data Platforms | P6ExpertSupporting | Sets enterprise technical standards for Data contract implementation and shapes platform or architecture direction. |
| Data lake / lakehouse engineeringDatabases & Data Platforms | P6ExpertCore | Sets enterprise technical standards for Data lake / lakehouse engineering and shapes platform or architecture direction. |
| Data lineage toolingDatabases & Data Platforms | P6ExpertSupporting | Sets enterprise technical standards for Data lineage tooling and shapes platform or architecture direction. |
| Data mesh architectureDatabases & Data Platforms | P6ExpertCore | Sets enterprise technical standards for Data mesh architecture and shapes platform or architecture direction. |
| Data modelingDatabases & Data Platforms | P6ExpertCore | Sets enterprise technical standards for Data modeling and shapes platform or architecture direction. |
| Data warehouse engineeringDatabases & Data Platforms | P6ExpertCore | Sets enterprise technical standards for Data warehouse engineering and shapes platform or architecture direction. |
| DatabricksDatabases & Data Platforms | P6ExpertSupporting | Sets enterprise technical standards for Databricks and shapes platform or architecture direction. |
| ER modelingArchitecture & Modeling Tools | P6ExpertCore | Sets enterprise technical standards for ER modeling and shapes platform or architecture direction. |
| Semantic layer engineeringAnalytics, BI & Data Visualization | P6ExpertCore | Sets enterprise technical standards for Semantic layer engineering and shapes platform or architecture direction. |
| Solution architecture diagramsArchitecture & Modeling Tools | P6ExpertSupporting | Sets enterprise technical standards for Solution architecture diagrams and shapes platform or architecture direction. |
What changes from L6 to L7
Moving from Senior Principal Data Architect to Distinguished 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 L7-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.
- Analytics EngineeringData & Analytics21 shared skills
- AI Platform & MLOps EngineeringData & Analytics14 shared skills
- Data EngineeringData & Analytics15 shared skills
- AI Governance & Responsible AIData & Analytics12 shared skills
- Data AnalyticsData & Analytics15 shared skills
- Business IntelligenceData & Analytics15 shared skills
Career framework v21, active since August 17, 2026.