Data Architect

A Data Architect will play a pivotal role defining and managing the data landscape of ACAA, enabling data collaboration practices and drive continuous improvement in the data management space to help us redefine, understand, use and manage our current and future data assets. A Data Architect with the ACAA must have extensive experience with cloud-first data management principles, a strong understanding of structured and unstructured data, batch-, event-, and streaming data challenges and a passion for innovative data solutions.

Here is how the Data Architect will help:

• Revise and communicate the data architecture strategy with cloud-first data management practices

• Translate business requirements into data model specifications and forward-thinking data strategies ensuring data accuracy and consistency

• Design and implement robust data architectures to collect, curate and manage the airport’s wide variety of data assets including batch, event and streaming solutions.

• Guide and expand the data lifecycle management practices for streamlined application integration, analytical and data science value streams with a focus on IoT and sensor data management.

• Manage and expand our data governance practices to provide guidance and information about data assets and manage the assets through their lifecycle

• Collaborate closely with the different business departments to understand, collect and provide information to support IT and business initiatives

• Collaborate closely with the data analysts, data science specialists, and IoT engineers to understand and fulfill data requirements.

• Continually maintain, optimize, and innovate upon existing data architectures, and ensure the integrity and security of data.

The successful candidate for the role of Data Architect will demonstrate the following key competencies needed in our culture:

• Communication – Able to clearly articulate short-term vision, department goals and objectives; Collaborate effectively with peers; Able to communicate policy and strategy to team members.

• Strategic Thinking – Able to determine short-term outcomes and give guidance on how to meet goals; Able to direct and deliver plans to achieve efficient, on-time results.

• Team Builder – Able to direct and implement project objectives through “one team” approach; Focused on developing team; direct work of team through leadership and accountability; Makes informed decisions.

• Customer Centricity– Leads team to identify and improve customer experience; Directs and implements improvements that positively impacts most stakeholders.

Qualifications

Requirements to apply for the role of Data Architect are:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field.

• 5+ years of experience as a Data Architect or similar role.

• 5+ years of experience in different data modeling techniques and data architecture patterns supporting batch, event and streaming capabilities

• 3+ years of experience with modeling tools such as Visio, Enterprise Architect, Lucidchart, ErWin, Draw.IO

• 3+ years of experience of end-to-end cloud data management practices including ingestion, data transformation, data warehousing, data product and analytical usage patterns

• 3+ years of experience with Azure services such as Azure Storage, Data Factory, IoT Hub, Data Explorer, Synapse, Azure SQL, Azure Data Catalog / Purview, PowerBI

• 3+ years of experience in data governance in a cloud environment including metadata management, master data management, data lifecycle practices, data lineage and data dictionary practices

• 3+ years of experience with data governance tools like Collibra, Azure Data Catalog, Purview

• 3+ years of experience in data quality practices including manual and automated procedures

We also expect that candidates will demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities in most cases:

• Strong knowledge of data security practices.

• Experience with DevOps practices and tools

• Excellent problem-solving skills, innovative mindset, and attention to detail.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Don’t meet every requirement?

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs if they don’t meet every single qualification. As a Smarter Airport, we recognize that talent is not always related job history and skills come from valuable experiences that aren’t always shown on a resume. If you are excited to make a positive change for our region, but your experience doesn’t align perfectly, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for our organization, whether it be this role or another.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally list and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. Must be able to understand and speak clearly in English.

Conditions

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet. Subject to remain on duty beyond normal hours or be recalled to duty up to 24 hours per day, seven days a week during emergency situations or other extensive periods.

Drug Testing

Employment is contingent upon the results of a post-offer (initial employment or promotion) drug screening. Continued employment may be subject to drug and alcohol testing conducted without advance notice and without individualized suspicion.

Pre-Employment Investigation

Must pass a thorough investigation, consisting of a criminal history check (including but not limited to the requirements of CFR 1542.209 and 1542.3), verification of prior employment and performance, reference and credentials checks.

Caring For Our Crew

At ACAA, we’ve got you covered. That applies to how we equip, empower, and enable our people to do their jobs. It also applies to our benefits, which are broader and more valuable than what many other employers offer:

• We offer two plan options for healthcare coverage from high-quality insurance carriers, as well as an ACAA-funded Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) that will help offset the cost of many medical expenses.

• ACAA employees pay almost $1,200 less per year in healthcare payroll contributions than the average employee in other companies, according to market surveys.

• When HRA funding is included, the health-plan deductibles paid by ACAA employees are about $1,200 lower on average than the costs paid by employees of other companies.

• ACAA does not require that employees meet a separate deductible for pharmacy expenses before prescription-drug coverage kicks in.

• ACAA’s dental plans (included with healthcare coverage) offer an option covering children’s orthodontia.

• Employees also can take advantage of a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to help pay for health care and dependent care expenses on a pre-tax basis.

• All eligible full-time ACAA employees participate in the Allegheny County Employees Pension Plan, a defined-benefit plan that vests after 10 years of service.

• Employees also may participate in a Deferred Compensation Plan, which allows them to contribute part of their pay on a pre-tax basis into long-term retirement investments.

• A robust Employee Assistance Program (including access to free counselling sessions, financial guidance, and care coordination), life insurance options, a wellness program, and eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program round out ACAA’s exemplary benefits.

About the Allegheny County Airport Authority

The Allegheny County Airport Authority, which manages Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) and Allegheny County Airport (AGC), is committed to transforming Pittsburgh’s airports to reflect, connect and serve the community, inspire the industry and advance the region’s role as a world leader.

Pittsburgh International Airport serves nearly 10 million passengers annually to 63 direct routes. PIT’s CEO Christina Cassotis has been recognized for numerous leadership awards. In 2025, she was named Pittsburgher of the Year by Pittsburgh Magazine.

PIT recently opened a new, modernized pre-security terminal and Terminal Garage, designed for and by the people of the Pittsburgh region. This new airport represents more than a decade of planning, preparation and work from the ACAA team. It serves as the region’s front door to the world, connecting the world to Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh to the world.

ACAA is an equal-opportunity workplace. We will consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, disability, and veteran status.