Data Architect

Overview

Join MetLife Ireland in Galway as a Data Architect to play a vital role in shaping our enterprise data architecture and advancing innovative cloud data solutions. MetLife is a leading global financial services provider with a long-standing history since 1868, operating in over 40 countries and managing significant assets globally. Our Ireland locations support critical global and regional business functions including IT, actuarial, finance, and operations.

Role Purpose

This position contributes to defining and sustaining the global data architecture strategy to ensure alignment with business goals, promoting technology consistency and simplified solutions. You will collaborate across numerous teams, supporting enterprise-scale data platform modernization and driving adoption of cutting-edge technologies.

Key Responsibilities

• Create and maintain a vision and roadmap for enterprise data architecture aligned to business strategies.
• Develop and enforce architecture principles, standards, patterns, and reference models.
• Govern data architecture design decisions and facilitate consistency across regions and platforms.
• Lead architectural strategies for cloud-based data platforms including data warehousing, data lakes, lakehouse, real-time processing, analytics, and AI/ML enablement.
• Evaluate new technologies to advise roadmaps and modernization initiatives.
• Design end-to-end data solutions from source to consumption, defining integration patterns such as APIs, event-driven, batch and streaming architectures.
• Ensure data solutions meet requirements including scalability, resiliency, performance, security, and operational efficiency.
• Collaborate with data governance teams to establish metadata management, data lineage, master data management, data quality, and compliance with privacy and security standards.
• Define architecture to enable AI and advanced analytics, supporting self-service data consumption and trusted data products.
• Engage and build relationships with stakeholders across solution architecture, governance, infrastructure, security, privacy, legal, and business domains.

Essential Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, computer science, mathematics or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years experience in software engineering or architecture focused on enterprise-scale data solutions.
• At least 3 years of hands-on experience in data engineering or architecture working with cloud data platforms.
• Familiarity with emerging AI technologies such as generative AI and machine learning.
• Strong analytical capabilities to turn data analysis into actionable business insights.
• Proven knowledge in security, operational resilience, and architecture principles supporting critical systems.
• Experience leading technical projects and collaborating with multiple partners globally.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with keen attention to detail and effective time management.

Preferred Experience

• Designing and building solutions that integrate generative AI and machine learning, prioritizing responsible AI use.
• Architecting enterprise data environments utilizing SaaS and PaaS platforms, especially Azure services.
• Deep understanding of big data concepts, design patterns, and technologies.
• Experience with business intelligence, reporting, and advanced analytics tools.
• Broad expertise in data integration, database technologies, and information architecture.
• Prior involvement with Azure Data Factory, Azure Data Lake Storage, Databricks, Kubernetes, and API security protocols.
• Familiarity with software development life-cycles mainly Agile and DevOps methodologies.
• Background in enterprise-scale IT architecture roles within financial or insurance sectors.
• Strong negotiation and influencing abilities.
• Business acumen related to insurance and financial industries.

Additional Information and Benefits

MetLife values diversity, equity, and inclusion and encourages applications from all backgrounds. Reasonable accommodations can be made upon request for applicants with disabilities or neurodiverse conditions.

Travel requirements are minimal.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package including 25 paid holidays, performance bonuses, health insurance, income protection, pension benefits, and funding assistance for relevant professional subscriptions (subject to organizational approval and without tax implications).

MetLife is committed to fostering an engaging work environment that supports your career growth and personal development.

Number of Vacancies: 1