Data/Information Architect

We are looking for an experienced Data/Information Architect to help shape and guide modern cloud and data architecture initiatives in Madison, Wisconsin. This contract opportunity is ideal for a senior specialist who can connect enterprise architecture strategy with hands-on engineering across cloud platforms, automation, and scalable data solutions. The role focuses on designing resilient, secure, and high-performing environments that support distributed applications, platform services, and evolving business needs.

Responsibilities:
• Lead the design of enterprise data and cloud architecture solutions that align technical strategy with operational goals.
• Create scalable architectures for distributed applications using microservices, container platforms, and serverless capabilities where appropriate.
• Define and implement infrastructure automation standards with tools such as Terraform, Bicep, CloudFormation, or Pulumi to improve consistency and speed.
• Establish CI/CD practices and deployment workflows that support reliable software delivery and efficient environment management.
• Architect container-based workloads with strong consideration for networking, access control, monitoring, and overall platform stability.
• Develop integration patterns and event-driven solution designs that improve interoperability across cloud services and business systems.
• Partner with engineering and business stakeholders to document architecture decisions, communicate technical direction, and support long-term roadmap planning.
• Contribute to modern data platform design, including data lakes, warehouses, streaming pipelines, and data modeling approaches for analytics and operational use cases.
• Promote secure architecture principles by embedding compliance, encryption, least-privilege access, and risk mitigation into platform and data designs.
• Mentor team members and encourage engineering best practices across architecture governance, cloud operations, and platform development.• 10+ years of experience in software engineering, infrastructure, DevOps, or architecture roles, including substantial cloud architecture experience.
• Strong hands-on knowledge of major cloud platforms such as AWS or Azure, including core services related to compute, storage, networking, identity, and security.
• Demonstrated success designing cloud-native and distributed systems using containers, microservices, and serverless technologies.
• Advanced experience with Infrastructure as Code and automation tooling, along with practical knowledge of CI/CD pipeline design.
• Solid understanding of data architecture concepts, including cloud databases, ETL processes, data lakes, data warehouses, streaming, and enterprise data modeling.
• Deep knowledge of cloud security and compliance practices, including zero-trust concepts, encryption strategies, and access governance.
• Excellent communication and documentation skills with the ability to influence stakeholders and work collaboratively across technical teams.
• Preferred qualifications include experience with platform engineering, site reliability practices, multi-cloud or hybrid environments, and relevant cloud certifications.