Solutions Architect (Data)

Full Job Description

King County Department of Information Technology’s (KCIT) Data & Analytics division is seeking a Solutions Architect (Data) to join our team! In this role, the Solutions Architect (Data) will provide design and consultation to continuously enhance Data and AI platforms, delivering high-impact business value and supporting essential business functions. The Solution Architect will foster a data-driven culture by leveraging analytics, AI and data science, while developing robust data capabilities through mature data management practices.
KCIT uses the power of technology to digitally transform King County. Building vibrant communities through digital equity and social justice, KCIT offers innovative solutions that engage, empower, and serve our residents, businesses, communities and interested stakeholders. As the first-place recipient of the 15th annual National Association of Counties (NACo) Digital Counties Survey, KCIT is recognized for its vision, strategy, innovation, and collaboration. KCIT has a focus of delivering smart technology solutions that support customers, building stronger communities through innovation.

KCIT is providing the building blocks for many of the region's most critical services. As the business solutions partner, we collaborate with the 18 County departments to develop products and services that better serve the needs of our customers and our community. To learn more about KCIT, please visit: http://kingcounty.gov/depts/it.aspx

Requirements

The Solution Architect - Data designs and implements data architectures for Transportation/Metro applications and business domains, emphasizing cross-departmental data sharing and usability

• Analyze existing source systems and analytical requirements to design and implement data repositories, including operational data stores, data warehouses, data lakes, registries, and clearinghouses, with a focus on high-volume transit mobility data.
• Create and maintain essential data architecture artifacts, such as data models, data flows, data dictionaries, guidelines, processes and ETL transformation logic, ensuring they align with transportation data standards.
• Serve as a subject matter expert providing data design guidance for complex, high-impact integration and migration projects across Transportation/Metro ecosystems.
• Coordinate with service teams to ensure data requirements, structures, and services are integrated into the solution development lifecycle (SDLC).
• Establish County-wide documentation standards and governance processes, including metadata management, data quality, and "source of truth" protocols.
• Plan and configure real-time, near-real-time, and batch data processing workflows to eliminate bottlenecks and resource contention.
• Assist with data classification and establish security requirements for structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data.
• Serve as the primary contact for Transportation/Metro data, working with stakeholders to deliver scalable data platforms and conduct technical training and lunch-and-learn sessions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in information technology, Computer Science, or a related field and five years of experience as a data architect working on enterprise data repositories or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Three years leading data analysis, modeling and pipeline development activities in collaboration with business stakeholders.
• Advanced proficiency in conceptual, logical, and physical modeling across various schemas (Entity-Relationship, NoSQL, Dimensional, and Data Vault).

• Proven track record in developing and deploying major data platforms and multidimensional BI architecture.
• Strong background in Data Warehousing, relational databases, NoSQL databases, Databricks, Apache Spark and distributed computing.
• Strong understanding of Inmon vs Kimball methodology, ODS, analytics vs transactional data systems.
• Deep understanding of linking data across domains and blending structured and semi-structured datasets.
• Knowledge of AI (ML, DL, GenAI) and hands-on experience in building and deploying AI models.
• Comprehensive knowledge of industry standards for data security and privacy.
• Ability to build trust and maintain effective relationships with customers and cross-functional teams (DBA, ETL, BI).
• Ability to translate complex technical concepts for business audiences and communicate effectively at all organizational levels.
• Proven success in gaining the trust and respect of customers and stakeholders.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals is a Plus
• Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert is a Plus
• Microsoft Azure AI Designing and Implementing a solution is a Plus

Additional Information

Special Requirement

This position requires a successful completion of a background check that will include fingerprinting.

Hybrid Work

KCIT works in a hybrid model, with days in the office as well as telecommuting. The ratio of remote to onsite work will be dependent on business needs and is subject to change.

The primary onsite location is the King Street Center, 201 S Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104.

Employees must reside in Washington state and within a reasonable distance to their King County worksite to respond to workplace reporting requirements.King County has a robust collection of tools and resources to support working remotely.

The individual selected for this opportunity will join an innovative and progressive team that is redefining how we work as we transition to the department's hybrid environment.

Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.

Classification

IT Production Engineer - 741501

Union

This position is represented by Protec17: Information Technology

Work Schedule

The normal work week for this position is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Alternative work schedules may be considered. This position is FLSA Exempt and is not eligible for overtime pay.

**This position participates in an After-Hours Support Rotation

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our"True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce.

To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity.

Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards.

We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.

King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer

No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class.

Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.