Data Platform Architect (Fabric)

The customer, a large service sector corporation, is undergoing a major modernization of its data platform, transitioning to a Microsoft Fabric environment using a Lakehouse architecture. The project is currently navigating the "Bronze" and "Silver" stages of data ingestion and is preparing for a critical "Gold" layer implementation. The environment is complex, involving the legacy migration of approximately 1,500 SQL procedures and an extensive number of dashboards from older systems (Qlik/SQL Server) to a modern, automated, and streamlined architecture.

Responsibilities:

• Technical Sparring: Acting as a high-level advisor and "sanity checker" for the internal data team regarding Fabric architecture and Lakehouse implementation.
• Architectural Validation: Reviewing and validating technical choices, such as the use of Notebooks vs. Warehouse, and ensuring the scalability of the proposed models.
• Best Practices Guidance: Advising on the transition from legacy "spaghetti" logic (scattered across integrations, SQL, and BI tools) toward a centralized logic in the data platform's Gold layer.
• DevOps Advancement: Supporting the implementation of a "DevOps-first" mindset, including CI/CD pipelines, Git integration within Fabric, and automated deployment processes.
• Problem Solving: Identifying potential bottlenecks in Fabric’s current maturity level (e.g., schema support, deployment pipelines) and suggesting robust workarounds.

Qualifications and technical skills:

• Fabric Expertise: Deep technical understanding of Microsoft Fabric, including experience with Lakehouse, Warehouse, and the platform’s specific features.
• Data Modeling: Strong background in architectural data modeling (Gold layer design) with the ability to simplify complex legacy logic into streamlined, high-performance models.

Technical Stack:

• Advanced SQL and Spark skills (the internal team is SQL-oriented).
• Proficiency in Python/Notebooks within a data engineering context.
• Experience with Azure DevOps (pipelines and repos) and Fabric’s Git integrations.

Soft Skills:

• Consultative Approach: Ability to challenge existing plans constructively and provide clear, justified recommendations.
• Communication: Ability to communicate clearly regarding different technical choices both to a technical audience and business stakeholders
• Experience: Previous experience acting as a Lead Architect or Senior Advisor in large-scale data platform projects is highly valued.

Summary of the practicalities

• Project start time: August 2026 (Possibly some workshops also in June before the holiday season)
• Project duration: 1–2 months (Possible expansion to a more hands-on role with a higher allocation and longer duration)
• Allocation: 20–30% (part-time sparring and advisory)
• Location requirements: Hybrid (Helsinki capital area)
• Language requirements: English or Finnish

More information -> Juho_Witted // juho.sopanen@witted.com