Databricks Data Architect

Job Description: EXL (NASDAQ: EXLS) is a global data and artificial intelligence ("AI") company that offers services and solutions to reinvent client business models, drive better outcomes and unlock growth with speed. EXL harnesses the power of data, AI, and deep industry knowledge to transform businesses, including the world’s leading corporations in industries including insurance, healthcare, banking and financial services, media and retail, among others. EXL was founded in 1999 with the core values of innovation, collaboration, excellence, integrity and respect.

We are headquartered in New York and have more than 60,000 employees spanning six continents. For more information, visit www.exlservice.com .

Role Title: Databricks Data Architect

BU/Segment: Data Management / Banking & Financial Services

Location: Dublin, Republic of Ireland (Flexible hybrid working)

Employment Type: Permanent or Contract

Summary of the role:

Experienced Databricks Data Architect required to support a high-impact data transformation initiative focused on automating reporting and dashboard processes. You will work with structured and unstructured data sources, designing and building scalable ingestion and transformation pipelines within a Databricks medallion architecture.

The role will involve stakeholder engagement, defining data acquisition approaches, orchestrating bronze/silver/gold data pipelines and establishing best practices across governance, lineage, data quality, performance optimisation and release management. Strong hands-on experience with Databricks, modern data architecture and large-scale data processing environments is essential.

As part of your duties, you will be responsible for:

• Data Architecture & Medallion Design:
  Design and evolve scalable data models within a Databricks lakehouse architecture , structuring data across Bronze, Silver and Gold layers to support reporting and dashboard automation.
• Data Pipeline Design & Delivery:
  Lead the design and implementation of data ingestion and transformation pipelines , working across structured and unstructured data sources to enable reliable, production-grade data flows.
• Resident Client Engagement:
  Act as a resident Data Architect on client site , working closely with stakeholders to understand requirements, shape data solutions, and ensure alignment to business outcomes.
• Requirements Gathering & Translation:
  Engage with business and technical stakeholders to gather, refine and define data requirements , translating them into scalable and maintainable data architecture designs.
• Solution Evolution & Ownership:
  Take ownership of the ongoing evolution of the data platform , continuously improving architecture, pipelines, and data structures in line with changing business needs.
• Team Leadership (Onshore & Offshore):
  Lead and guide distributed delivery teams (onshore and offshore) , ensuring consistent standards, clear direction, and successful execution of data initiatives.
• Data Governance, Lineage & Quality:
  Establish and enforce best practices across data governance, lineage, metadata management, and data quality , ensuring trust and usability of data assets.
• Performance & Optimisation:
  Drive improvements in data processing performance, scalability, and cost optimisation , particularly within Databricks and distributed processing environments.
• Standards & Documentation:
  Define and maintain data architecture standards, models, and documentation , ensuring consistency, reusability, and alignment across delivery teams.
• Delivery & Release Support:
  Support deployment and release processes , ensuring data solutions are robust, properly governed, and production-ready.

Qualifications and experience we consider to be essential for the role:

• Education & Experience:
  Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in IT, Computer Science, or a related field, with significant experience (typically 8–10+ years) in data architecture, data warehousing, and large-scale data platforms, including hands-on experience in Databricks-led environments .
• Data Modelling Expertise:
  Strong experience in enterprise data modelling across conceptual, logical, and physical layers, ideally within data lakehouse architectures (tools such as ERwin, ER/Studio, PowerDesigner or equivalent).
• Databricks & Data Platform Expertise:
  Proven hands-on experience designing and supporting Databricks-based data platforms , including medallion architecture, Spark-based processing, and scalable data pipelines.
• Data Integration & Processing:
  Experience delivering data ingestion and transformation solutions (batch and streaming) using tools such as Databricks, Azure Data Factory (ADF), or similar modern data integration frameworks.
• Cloud & Distributed Data Environments:
  Strong understanding of cloud-native data platforms (Azure preferred), including experience working with distributed data processing and integration with enterprise data stores (e.g., SQL Server, PostgreSQL, Oracle, Synapse).
• Business Intelligence & Reporting Enablement:
  Familiarity with reporting and visualisation tools such as Power BI, Tableau, or similar, with an understanding of how data architecture supports analytics and dashboarding.
• Industry Experience (Desirable):
  Experience within Insurance, Financial Services, or regulated environments is advantageous.

Skills and Personal attributes we would like to have:

• Delivery-Focused Leadership:
  Proven experience leading onshore and offshore data teams , providing architectural direction and ensuring successful delivery within Databricks-centric programmes.
• Strong Stakeholder Engagement:
  Ability to engage with client stakeholders on-site , gather and refine requirements, and translate business needs into scalable data solutions.
• Hands-on Architecture Mindset:
  Comfortable working in a hands-on capacity , supporting teams with data modelling, pipeline design, and architectural decisions rather than purely high-level solutioning.
• Databricks & Modern Data Practices:
  Strong understanding of Databricks best practices , including medallion architecture, data pipeline design, performance optimisation, and orchestration.
• Data Governance & Quality:
  Experience implementing and promoting data governance, lineage, metadata, and data quality frameworks within enterprise data environments.
• Problem Solving & Continuous Improvement:
  Ability to evolve and improve data solutions in-flight, adapting to changing business requirements and driving continuous enhancement of the data platform. Communication & Collaboration:
  Strong communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across technical teams, business users, and senior stakeholders .

As part of a leading global Data and AI company, you can look forward to:

• A competitive salary with a generous bonus, private healthcare, life assurance at 4 x your annual salary, income protection insurance, and a rewarding pension.
• At EXL , we are committed to providing our employees with the tools and resources they need to succeed and excel in their careers. We offer a wide range of professional and personal development opportunities. We also support a range of learning initiatives that allow our employees to build on their existing skills and knowledge. From online courses to seminars and workshops, our employees have the opportunity to enhance their skills and stay up to date with the latest trends and technologies.
• As an Equal Opportunity Employer, EXL is committed to diversity. Our company does not discriminate based on race, religion, colour, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, age, or disability status.
• At EXL , we offer a flexible hybrid working model that allows employees to live a balanced, healthy lifestyle while strengthening our culture of collaboration.

To be considered for this role, you must already be eligible to work in the Republic of Ireland.