New

Principal Platform Architect (AWS Cloud Native)

Vaco
$100.00 - $150.00 / hr
401(k), retirement plan
United States, Texas, Dallas
Jan 29, 2026
Principal Platform Architect (Architecture Review / Target State) DETAILS Location: Dallas, TX 75251 (onsite 2 days per week [Mon/Tues or Mon/Wed]) Position Type: 12M+ Contract (Multi-phase / Architecture Review through Future-State Design) Hourly / Salary: to $120W2+ (based on experience) JOB SUMMARY Vaco is seeking a Principal Platform Architect for a 12M+ Contract(Multi-phase / Architecture Review through Future-State Design) that is located inDallas, TX 75251 (onsite 2 days per week [Mon/Tues or Mon/Wed]). ThePrincipal Platform Architect will lead an architecture-focused evaluation and refinement of the Data Platform. The Principal Platform Architect will independently assess an in-flight data platform architecture, validate alignment with business, regulatory, and technology requirements, and define a 2026 executable architecture and a fully realized future-state target architecture. The Principal Platform Architect will be part of an engagement that is architecture-led and governance-driven, working in close partnership with existing delivery teams and enterprise architecture leadership. Additionally, the Principal Platform Architect will not be responsible for platform build, data pipeline implementation, or operational support. Architect Role Overview: This Architect will be performing overall Solution Architecture, including MDM, AWS Cloud Native / AWS Native MSK / Flink / Glue Streaming / S3 + Iceberg / DynamoDB / API Gateway, etc. This Architect must be able to support end-to-end technical architecture and at the same time provide technical insight to the implementation and delivery of the solution. This Architect must be technically strong in a real-time event-based streaming solution with API delivery mechanisms. Additionally, this Architect will drive the end-to-end design and implementation of the overall solutions. Phase I: Architecture Review / Validation Review Existing PCB Architecture Artifacts / Assumptions / Design Decisions Evaluate Alignment to Business Outcomes / Non-Functional Requirements / Regulatory Considerations Assess Technology Selections / Architectural Patterns Against Best Practices Evaluate Conformance to Modern Data Platform / Domain-Oriented / Event-Driven Architectures Produce Objective Architecture Assessment with Clear Recommendations Phase II: 2026 Executable Architecture Refine / Finalize a 2026-Ready Architecture that Delivery Teams can Immediate Execute Define Logical / Physical Architecture Models Establish System-of-Record v. System-of-Use Boundaries Define Business Logic Ownership / Accountability Models Document Data Flow / Integration Patterns / Non-Functional Architecture Guidance Phase III: Future-State Target Architecture Design Fully Realized / Unconstrained Future-State Architecture Data Mastering / Ownership Decision Frameworks Define data mastering and ownership decision frameworks Clarify Application v. Platform Responsibility Boundaries Create an Evolution Roadmap from the 2026 Architecture to the Future State Architecture Governance / Alignment Participate in Architecture Review Boards / Architecture Ceremonies Prepare / Present Architecture Artifacts for Forman Review / Approval Align Recommendation to Architectural Standards / Long-Term Technology Strategy Document / Justify Any Proposed Deviations Through Formal Governance Channels Deliverables / Assessment Framework Architecture Assessments Utilizing Red / Amber / Green (RAG) Framework Explicit Architectural Decision Logs (Decisions / Questions / Assumptions) Executive / Architecture Leadership Readouts Approved Architecture Artifacts for 2026 / Future-State Designs Each Assessment Includes: RAG Status / Concise Rationale / Recommendation (Confirm / Refine / Correct) / Impact (if unaddressed) JOB REQUIREMENTS Platform Architect Tech Stack: AWS Cloud Native / AWS Native MSK / Flink / Glue Streaming / S3 + Iceberg / DynamoDB / API Gateway / MDM, etc. Architecture / Data Platform Expertise Enterprise / Data Platform Architecture (8+ years) - Designing / Reviewing / Governing Large-Scale Data Platforms in Regulated Enterprise Environments Modern Data Platform Patterns - Domain-Oriented Architecture / Event-Driven Architecture / Data Products / System-of-Record v. System-of-Use Modeling Logical / Physical Architecture Design - Conceptual / Logical / Physical Models with Clear Ownership / Responsibility Boundaries Data / Integration Architecture Data Integration Patterns - Event Streaming / API-based Integration / Batch Ingestion / Asynchronous Messaging Data Ownership / Mastering - Defining Data Domains / Mastering Strategies / Stewardship and Ownership Models Business Logic Placement - Platform v. Application Responsibility Modeling Non-Functional / Enterprise Requirements Non-Functional Architecture - Scalability / Resiliency / Performance / Availability / Security / Data Governance Regulatory / Risk Considerations - Designing Architectures Supporting Auditability / Data Lineage / Compliance Requirements Architectural Tradeoff Analysis - Evaluating Technology Selections / Documentation (Decisions / Risks / Impacts) Architecture Governance / Communication Architecture Governance - Active Participating inthe Architecture Review Boards / Formal Design Reviews / Decision Forums Architecture Artifacts - Producing Executive- / Delivery-ready Diagrams / Decision Logs / Assessment Summaries RAG-Based Assessments - Red / Amber / Green Evaluations with Clear Rationale / Recommendations (Confirm / Refine / Correct) / Impact Analysis Tools / Modeling Architecture Modeling - C4 / Logical-Physical Diagrams / Data Flow Diagrams / Capability Maps Documentation / Collaboration - Confluence / SharePoint / PowerPoint / Diagramming Tools (Lucid / Visio, etc.) Data Platform Exposure - Cloud Data Platforms / Event Streaming Technologies / Enterprise Integration Tooling (Vendor-Agnostic) Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco/Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual's skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, office location and other geographic considerations, as well as other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco/Highspring notes the salary range for the role is noted in this job posting. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's 401(k) retirement plan. Additional disclaimer: Unless otherwise noted in the job description, the position Vaco/Highspring is filing for is occupied. Please note, however, that Vaco/Highspring is regularly asked to provide talent to other organizations. By submitting to this position, you are agreeing to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. Submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase within Vaco/Highspring will be otherwise assessed by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco/Highspring does not have knowledge of the tools used by its clients in making final hiring decisions and cannot opine on their use of AI products. Vaco by Highspring values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply. EEO Notice Vaco by Highspring is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by federal, state or local law. Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact HR@vaco.com . Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal. By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. You also agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal. Privacy Notice Vaco by Highspring and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries ("we," "our," or "Vaco by Highspring") respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies. California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here. Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here. Residents of all other states may access our policies here. Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here. Residents of countries governed by GDPR may access our policies here. Pay Transparency Notice Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to: the individual's skill sets, experience and training; licensure and certification requirements; office location and other geographic considerations; other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses.