Principal Data Modernization Architect
Enterprise Data, Cloud & Legacy Transformation | Technical SME
Location: Basel, Switzerland
Work Model: Full-time | Onsite
Employment Type: Permanent / Long-term Engagement
Language: English required
About the Role
Swiss Himmel GmbH is on the lookout for a highly skilled Principal Data Modernization Architect to spearhead large-scale enterprise data transformation and modernization initiatives within a complex, regulated environment.
This senior technical leadership role is ideal for an expert capable of designing and delivering comprehensive data migration, transformation, and automation frameworks across cloud, hybrid, and legacy ecosystems. You will leverage your profound expertise in Python engineering, Azure data architecture, legacy platform modernization, and machine learning engineering to construct intelligent, scalable, and secure enterprise data platforms.
As a Subject Matter Expert (SME) and trusted advisor, you will guide architectural strategies, develop migration accelerators, and lead engineering teams through highly intricate cross-platform transformations. This role demands a hands-on architect who excels in technically demanding environments and is fully onsite in Basel.
Your Responsibilities
- Lead the design and delivery of enterprise-wide data modernization strategies and architectures.
- Architect metadata-driven migration frameworks using Python to automate schema discovery, transformation, reconciliation, and validation.
- Design scalable ETL/ELT platforms supporting multi-terabyte datasets and heterogeneous systems.
- Establish engineering standards, governance models, and reusable modernization toolkits.
- Drive end-to-end cloud and legacy platform integrations across hybrid environments.
- Provide technical leadership and mentorship to engineering teams throughout architecture, development, and deployment phases.
- Collaborate with enterprise architects, security, and business stakeholders to align technical delivery with strategic goals.
Azure Data Platform Engineering
- Design and implement advanced solutions using:
- Azure SQL Database
- Azure SQL Ledger Tables
- Azure Data Factory (ADF)
- Azure Functions
- Azure Storage
- Azure Authentication (Managed Identity, OAuth, MSAL)
- Build secure, high-throughput data ingestion, orchestration, and monitoring pipelines.
- Implement lineage, observability, and compliance mechanisms across the Azure data ecosystem.
Legacy System Modernization & Migration
- Lead complex migrations from Mainframe DB2, Oracle, and AS400 environments.
- Reverse engineer legacy schemas, business rules, and COBOL-based systems.
- Utilize SSMA for schema conversion and automated validation.
- Ensure end-to-end data integrity and reconciliation using cryptographic validation techniques.
- Develop automated validation, lineage tracking, and migration assurance frameworks.
API, DevOps & Automation
- Develop API-driven orchestration workflows using Control-M (Ctrl-M).
- Implement GitLab-based CI/CD pipelines and Ansible-driven infrastructure automation.
- Apply DevOps best practices, testing frameworks, and infrastructure-as-code approaches.
- Lead Python-based engineering and development using Visual Studio Code.
Machine Learning Engineering
- Design, train, and deploy models using PyTorch, TensorFlow, and scikit-learn.
- Embed ML-driven intelligence into ETL and migration frameworks, including:
- Data quality scoring
- Anomaly detection
- Schema drift detection
- Predictive migration planning
- Operationalize ML components within Azure-native architectures.
Your Profile
- 20+ years of experience in enterprise data engineering, ETL, and large-scale migrations.
- Expert-level Python engineering and automation framework development.
- Mandatory machine learning engineering expertise.
- Deep experience with Azure data services and cloud-native architectures.
- Proven experience modernizing legacy mainframe and enterprise database platforms.
- Strong knowledge of API engineering, CI/CD, and DevOps automation practices.
- Experience designing large, reusable ETL and migration toolkits.
- Excellent stakeholder management and leadership capabilities.
- Experience working in regulated or compliance-driven environments.
What We Offer
- Opportunity to lead high-impact enterprise modernization programs.
- Strategic, senior-level architecture role with strong ownership.
- Complex, cutting-edge technology landscape across cloud and legacy platforms.
- Long-term, stable engagement within Switzerland.
- Collaborative, expert-level engineering environment.
Apply online using the form below. Only applications matching the job profile will be considered.