Principal Data Architect

About the job Principal Data Architect (Data & AI) Location: Zurich, Switzerland (Hybrid) Salary: CHF 140,000–185,000 + Performance Bonus + Excellent Benefits We're partnering with a leading international technology consultancy that helps organisations solve complex business challenges through data, AI and cloud technologies. They're looking for an experienced Principal Data Architect to lead enterprise-scale data transformation initiatives, shape technical strategy, and advise clients on building modern data and AI platforms. This is an opportunity to work at the intersection of consulting, architecture and engineering, helping some of Switzerland's most recognised organisations modernise their data capabilities while mentoring high-performing technical teams. The Role As a Principal Data Architect, you'll act as a trusted technical advisor to clients, defining long-term data and AI strategies while leading the design and delivery of modern cloud-native platforms. You'll work closely with senior stakeholders, support pre-sales engagements, and guide multidisciplinary engineering teams from concept through to implementation. You'll play a key role in helping organisations adopt scalable, secure and governed data platforms that enable advanced analytics and production-ready AI. What You'll Be Doing Lead architecture and strategy engagements across modern data and AI platforms. Design scalable cloud-based data architectures for enterprise clients. Advise organisations on platform modernisation, governance, real-time data processing and AI adoption. Lead architecture workshops, technical discovery sessions and proof-of-concept initiatives. Support pre-sales activities, solution design and technical proposals. Drive best practices across Data Engineering, DevOps and DataOps. Guide teams in building robust, secure and maintainable data platforms. Help clients operationalise AI solutions with strong governance, transparency and reproducibility. Mentor architects and engineers while contributing to technical thought leadership. What We're Looking For Extensive experience designing enterprise data architectures. Strong background in Data Engineering and cloud-native platforms. Experience working across Azure, AWS and/or Google Cloud Platform. Hands-on knowledge of modern data technologies including Databricks and Snowflake. Expertise in data modelling, distributed processing, APIs, containerisation and serverless architectures. Strong understanding of data governance, security and modern architectural patterns such as Data Mesh. Experience supporting technical pre-sales, client consulting and solution design. Excellent communication skills with both technical teams and executive stakeholders. Fluent German and English. What's On Offer Salary of CHF 140,000–185,000. Annual performance/profit-sharing bonus. Flexible hybrid working. Comprehensive learning and development opportunities. International collaboration across a highly respected technology consultancy. Opportunity to work on complex enterprise data and AI transformation programmes. Clear progression into senior technical leadership. If you're passionate about designing modern data platforms and helping organisations unlock the value of AI at enterprise scale, we'd love to hear from you.