Washington
Job Description World Services LLC, an IT engineering, solutions, and management consulting firm, is seeking an experienced Data Architect to support a federal agency’s enterprise-wide digital transformation initiative, focused on modernizing enterprise analytics and migrating legacy BI and reporting assets into a scalable, cloud-based data ecosystem. In this role, you will work within a collaborative, people-first culture in a stable, mission-driven federal environment, designing secure, resilient, and governed data architectures that enable advanced analytics and mission-critical decision support alongside experienced technical teams. This role provides architectural leadership and hands-on technical guidance across data platform design, dimensional modeling, pipeline modernization, and semantic layer alignment. The Data Architect will help evolve the Integrated Data Environment (Surveyor IDE) and associated analytics platforms (Databricks, Qlik, Power Platform) to support secure, governed, and mission-aligned data delivery at scale. This position operates at the intersection of architecture, engineering standards, analytics enablement, and governance-by-design within a DHS compliance environment. NOTE: MUST be a U.S. Citizen Key Responsibilities Enterprise Data Architecture & Platform Design • Design and maintain the USCG ODA enterprise data architecture supporting the Surveyor IDE and associated analytics platforms., • Establish standards for cloud-native Lakehouse architecture, leveraging Databricks, Apache Spark, Kafka, Airflow, and AWS Glue., • Define architectural patterns for structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data integration across operational and mission-support systems., • Enable enterprise data sharing, lineage, and reusable data products across analytics and reporting environments, including Qlik Sense, Power BI, and Power Platform. Migration Architecture & Legacy Modernization • Lead architectural design for Cognos-to-Databricks/Qlik migration use cases., • Analyze legacy Cognos cubes, calculations, business rules, and reporting logic., • Translate legacy logic into modern back end data models and semantic layers, ensuring metric consistency and traceability., • Ensure alignment between back end transformations and downstream visualization/analytics platforms. Backend Data Engineering Architecture (Databricks) • Define standards for Python and Spark-based ELT/ETL pipelines in Databricks., • Guide implementation of scalable data transformations, orchestration workflows, and performance optimization., • Oversee development and test schema strategy; ensure production changes follow controlled promotion processes., • Promote reliability, observability, and maintainability in data pipelines. Dimensional Data Modeling • Establish best practices for dimensional modeling (star and snowflake schemas) aligned to business definitions., • Define reusable facts, dimensions, and conformed metrics across domains., • Ensure performance-optimized and business-clear data structures supporting enterprise reporting and analytics. Analytics & Semantic Layer Alignment • Guide development of Qlik semantic models, including measures, hierarchies, and governed business logic., • Ensure consistency between Databricks outputs and Qlik/Qlik Replicate semantic layers., • Support modernization of reporting assets into governed, reusable analytics components. CI/CD, DevOps & Workflow Automation • Define architectural standards for CI/CD pipelines and workflow automation., • Support use of GitHub/GitLab, Databricks Workflows/Jobs APIs, and approved DevOps tooling., • Establish branching strategies, version control practices, and controlled promotion across environments., • Ensure architecture supports repeatable, auditable deployments. Governance, Compliance & Data Quality • Embed governance-by-design and security controls into data platform architecture., • Support ATO/A&A activities including eMASS documentation, POA&M tracking, and alignment with FISMA, RMF, and FedRAMP., • Enable metadata management, lineage tracking, and access controls via Collibra, Enlighten BDP, or similar tools., • Establish architectural patterns for data validation, reconciliation, and integrity assurance. Validation, Testing & Knowledge Transfer • Guide data reconciliation strategies between legacy and modernized outputs., • Support UAT, stabilization, and performance tuning., • Ensure production of technical documentation, runbooks, and architecture artifacts., • Support knowledge transfer and transition activities. Required Qualifications • Bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Systems, Data Architecture, or related field., • 5+ years in data architecture, enterprise data integration, or large-scale data platform design., • Strong expertise with Databricks, Spark, and cloud-based data platforms (AWS preferred)., • Advanced proficiency in Python and SQL, including query optimization and database design., • Experience designing and governing ELT/ETL pipelines using Kafka, Airflow, AWS Glue, or similar tools., • Strong background in dimensional data modeling (star/snowflake schemas)., • Experience with big data technologies (Spark, Hadoop ecosystem)., • Hands-on experience with CI/CD, version control, and DevOps practices in multi-developer environments., • Experience diagnosing data quality issues and designing validation/test strategies., • Knowledge of federal cybersecurity and compliance frameworks (FISMA, RMF, FedRAMP). Preferred Qualifications • Experience supporting federal digital transformation or enterprise data governance programs for DOD Clients including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard., • Familiarity with Surveyor IDE, Qlik Replicate, Qlik Sense, Power BI, and Power Platform., • Experience migrating legacy BI/reporting environments to modern cloud analytics platforms., • Certification in AWS Data Architect, Azure Data Engineer, or related discipline., • Working knowledge of Responsible AI, metadata-driven governance, and data ethics frameworks. Company DescriptionWorld Services, LLC is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia. We offer a wide variety of IT services to support enterprises at every level. These include Management Consulting, Cloud Architecture, Software Development, Agile Implementation, Data Science and Analytics, Systems Engineering, Augmented Reality, and Cyber Security services. World Services commitment to a quality delivery of technology and services is backed by the ISO 9000 certified and CMMI Level 3 in Services and Development to ensure a quality framework of policies, tools, and procedures. This is one of the factors that allow our company as a ISO certified and CMMI Level 3 rated small business to deliver consistent, scalable solutions to the Federal, State and Local Government, healthcare, and commercial clients. Our quality processes ensure our customers receive shorter lead time, delivery reliability, and consistent, high-quality services and products.World Services, LLC is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia. We offer a wide variety of IT services to support enterprises at every level. These include Management Consulting, Cloud Architecture, Software Development, Agile Implementation, Data Science and Analytics, Systems Engineering, Augmented Reality, and Cyber Security services. World Services commitment to a quality delivery of technology and services is backed by the ISO 9000 certified and CMMI Level 3 in Services and Development to ensure a quality framework of policies, tools, and procedures. This is one of the factors that allow our company as a ISO certified and CMMI Level 3 rated small business to deliver consistent, scalable solutions to the Federal, State and Local Government, healthcare, and commercial clients. Our quality processes ensure our customers receive shorter lead time, delivery reliability, and consistent, high-quality services and products.