The Platform Lead Architect will be responsible for defining the Platform Framework and Platform Capabilities, Platform Policies and ensuring their implementation by Sodexo Platform Teams (the Integration & Analytics Hubs).

This role is central to ensuring seamless data integration, scalability, and efficiency of our internal data system to support business intelligence, analytics, and real-time decision-making.

The lead platform architect will collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver a robust, secure, and scalable data ecosystem aligned with the organizations strategic objectives.

Work Location : Mumbai / Gurgaon / Bangalore / Hyderabad.

Roles & Responsibilities :

Architecture Design & Strategy :

- Design and implement scalable data architecture framework on Azure, incorporating API Hub, Azure iPaaS, Databricks, and Analytics Hub.

- Develop and maintain a comprehensive data integration strategy that ensures seamless connectivity between diverse data sources and business applications.

- Ensure the Regional teams are properly onboarded on Platform Capabilities & Framework.

- Ensure cohesion with Enterprise Architecture, to ensure Platform Capabilities answer Business needs.

Data Governance & Security :

- Establish and enforce data governance frameworks, ensuring compliance with data privacy regulations and organizational standards.

- Ensure robust data security and access management protocols are in place across all Azure services, including encryption, identity, and access controls.

Collaboration & Leadership :

- Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including data engineers, developers, analysts, and business stakeholders, to gather requirements and implement as Platform Patterns.

- Provide technical leadership and guidance to the platform teams to build aligned cohesive ecosystem.

API & Integration Management :

- Collaborate in the development of APIs framework within the API Hub and Azure iPaaS to ensure data consistency and real-time access across systems.

- Ensure patterns for API lifecycle management, including versioning, monitoring, and performance tuning are implemented.

Performance Optimization & Innovation :

- Ensure implementation of observability, monitoring and optimizations of data pipelines and cloud infrastructure, ensuring high availability, low latency, and cost-efficiency, capabilities are answering business and project needs.

- Stay updated on the latest Azure tools, features, and best practices, incorporating them into the architecture to drive innovation and improve business outcomes.

Documentation & Best Practices :

- Create and maintain comprehensive documentation of platform framework & patterns.

- Define and promote best practices for data teams, utilizing platform patterns.

Project Management & Delivery :

- Support the delivery of critical data projects, ensuring they benefit from platform patterns & standards effectively.

- Manage stakeholder expectations and provide regular updates on platform progress, risks, and mitigation strategies.

Required Skills :

- 12+ years of professional experience in data architecture, data engineering, with a strong focus on Azure services.

- Proven experience in designing and implementing scalable cloud-based architectures using Azure components such as Azure Data Lake, Azure Databricks, Azure Synapse, and Azure iPaaS.

- In-depth experience with API management and API integration strategies, specifically with Azure API Management and other integration services.

- Experience in building modern Data Platforms, focused on Event-Driven Architectures, Microservices, APIs, Zero-Copy, Virtualization.

- Is able to well communicate to various audiences (executives, project managers, developers) Platform Patterns and maintain documentation sharable with Enterprise Architects.

- Strong background in data governance, security, and compliance frameworks, with knowledge of regulatory requirements like GDPR or HIPAA.

- Demonstrated leadership experience in overseeing complex data projects and managing cross-functional teams, with a focus on data integration, analytics, and performance optimization.

- Experience with Databricks for big data processing, machine learning pipelines, and advanced analytics is a must.

- Familiarity with Azure DevOps and CI/CD pipelines for deploying and managing cloud resources and APIs.

- Strong understanding of data modelling, ETL processes, and modern data architecture principles (e.g., Data Lakes, Data Warehouses, and Data Hubs).

- Bachelors degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or a related field.

- A Masters degree in a relevant discipline is a plus.

- Relevant certifications such as Microsoft Certified : Azure Solutions Architect Expert, Microsoft Certified : Azure Data Engineer Associate, or similar cloud architecture certifications are highly desirable.