Data Architect Sr

Senior Data Architect Location: Birmingham, Alabama (The Energy Center) Hybrid: ONSITE 4 days/week - 1 day remote

Purpose:

The Senior Data Architect Generation Technology Solutions will partner with supported data and analytics organizations to support the Generation Lakehouse and business and analytics solutions leveraging data in the Generation Lakehouse. This is a strategic position that is focused on solution design, data architecture and system integration to meet the goals of supported data and analytics organizations. Responsibilities include working with Technical Planning Analyst and business partners to evaluate business requirements, provide technical solution proposals, conceptual designs and cost estimates, input and assistance on the technical aspects of business cases, and working across the Technology Organization (TO) to determine infrastructure requirements and TO services needed to support the business.

This role serves as the key interface between business partners and TO in the areas of security, standards, and lakehouse administration. Acting as a data and analytics advocate within TO, the architect focuses on finding ways to accomplish business objectives within TO policies and standards.

This technical consultant is responsible for technical ownership and development of data management and data integration strategy in support of business partners.

This includes:

• Working with supported data and analytics organizations and Generation Technology leadership on the development of an information management strategy for the generation fleet, including data modeling from a business perspective.
• Serve as the data architect for the data strategies in support of the business.
• Stay current on emerging data provisioning, application/data integration, big data, and business intelligence trends.
• Strong concentration in our TO Strategy focus areas to proactively manage enterprise data and develop strong working relationships with the Information Management Office and Development Strategies and Standards organizations.

This position will be responsible for providing technical leadership on select projects and provide guidance to fellow team members. This includes leadership in design/analysis sessions, interface design, mentoring, and troubleshooting as necessary; work to gain commitment from all key parties for proposed software solutions; responsible for the selection of the key technologies to complete those solutions; and provide technical leadership through the project lifecycle ensuring successful delivery. The incumbent should produce positive, growing relationships with the business resulting from a thorough understanding of their needs and the subsequent delivery of effective solutions. This role is for a self-starter that can work without direct supervision.

Assignments require analysis, research, problem solving, and technical solution proposals to business processes.

Job Responsibilities:

• Support cross-functional projects using advanced Artificial Intelligence, data modeling and analysis techniques to discover insights that will guide strategic decisions and uncover optimization opportunities
• Promote excellence in TO by communicating business needs and appropriate technical response
• Serve as the overall administrator of the Generation Lakehouse in collaboration with business architect, including platform security, access management, standards, and configuration
• Perform TO promotion and deployment of Databricks applications and solutions in accordance with TO standards, security, and change management processes
• Build, develop and maintain data models, reporting systems, data automation systems, dashboards and performance metrics support that support key business decisions
• Provide comprehensive consulting services to business customers
• Have accountability to mentor others to grow business knowledge
• Manage and optimize processes for data intake, validation, data quality management, mining and engineering as well as modeling, visualization and communication deliverables
• Lead data ingestion and curation for the Generation Lakehouse, including the design and support of the systems, platforms, and pipelines that deliver trusted, analytics-ready data
• Examine, interpret and report results of analytical initiatives to stakeholders in leadership, technology, sales, marketing and product teams
• Ability to organize and effectively communicate results to a broad audience, at different levels of the organization
• Build and maintain strong relationships with business partners, business analysts, peers, management, and vendors
• Evaluate new technologies and provide input into strategic selection and planning, including the development of detailed architectural drawings, and successfully shepherd new architectures, technologies, and data connections through internal architectural governing bodies
• Interface with partners to ensure that all services are planned, budgeted, and completed to meet both technical and budget requirements
• Exhibit Our Values in all aspects when representing Southern Company

Technical Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• B.S. in Computer Science, Software Engineering or equivalent technology area
• Experience with Microsoft Azure cloud and data services
• Experience with Databricks and lakehouse architecture, including Unity Catalog, Delta Lake, and workspace administration
• Good understanding of REST APIs and modern data integration patterns
• Experience with identity and access management, role-based access control, and data security standards
• Experience with modern data ingestion and ETL tools, such as Azure Data Factory, Databricks jobs and workflows, and SQL
• Comfort and familiarity with AI-assisted coding technologies
• Experience with code scanning technologies and secure development practices
• Experience with GitHub for source control, collaboration, and CI/CD
• The ability to envision, define and shape innovative concepts and system solutions around evolving requirements, technology, and market capabilities to support data and analytics projects as needed to meet strategic business objectives
• The ability to understand emerging technologies and concepts to determine if/how they can be applied to meet the needs of the business
• Expert knowledge of computing infrastructure and architectural design concepts and their application to strategic and tactical architecture decisions
• Knowledge of business, energy industry trends, opportunities and challenges

Required Interpersonal Skills and Competencies:

• Strong understanding of application development, software evaluation practices and enterprise design
• Ability to build productive relationships with a focus on cooperation & teamwork both in the business and TO
• Ability to build consensus and present a strategic rather than tactical vision and be able to influence others
• Exceptional analytical, conceptual, and problem-solving abilities
• Ability to handle multiple assignments and conflicting priorities; Able to prioritize and execute tasks independently in a high-pressure environment
• Strong interpersonal skills; communicates effectively (verbal & written) with all levels of client, peer and TO management
• Ability to present ideas in easy-to-understand business language
• Ability to plan work and coordinate teams
• Good knowledge of applicable data privacy practices and laws
• Demonstrate Our Values

Southern Company Services

About Southern Company

Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is a leading energy provider serving 9 million customers across the Southeast and beyond through its family of companies. Providing clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy with excellent service is our mission. The company has electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company, a leading distributed energy solutions provider with national capabilities, a fiber optics network and telecommunications services. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, resilience and sustainability, we are taking action to meet customers' and communities' needs while advancing our goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Our uncompromising values ensure we put the needs of those we serve at the center of everything we do and are the key to our sustained success. We are transforming energy into economic, environmental and social progress for tomorrow. Our corporate culture has been recognized by a variety of organizations, earning the company awards and recognitions that reflect Our Values and dedication to service. To learn more, visit www.southerncompany.com.

Southern Company invests in the well-being of its employees and their families through a comprehensive total rewards strategy that includes competitive base salary, annual incentive awards for eligible employees and health, welfare and retirement benefits designed to support physical, financial, and emotional/social well-being. This position may also be eligible for additional compensation, such as an incentive program, with the amount of any bonus/awards subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable incentive plan(s). A summary of the benefits offered for this position can be found here https://seo.nlx.org/southernco/pdf/SOCO-Benefits.pdf. Additional and specific details about total compensation and benefits will also be provided during the hiring process.

Southern Company is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant's qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law.