Experienced Data Architect

Job Description

As a Data Architect at Verhaert Digital, you will collaborate with cross-functional project teams comprising designers, developers, and business analysts. Working on innovation initiatives, you will understand, map out, deeply analyze, and translate client data needs into technical requirements. You seamlessly bridge the gap between business stakeholders, data requirements, and the development team to drive successful project delivery.

This role offers a well-balanced mix of solution architecture and hands-on execution: you will spend approximately 50% of your time designing end-to-end data architectures and the other 50% working alongside the project team to actively build and implement those solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Translate client business requirements into detailed functional and non-functional specifications, Entity-Relationship Diagrams (ERDs), and reporting frameworks. To achieve this, you will facilitate client workshops, making your on-site presence essential.
• Architect robust data solutions incorporating modern paradigms and technologies such as Data Lakehouses, Data Mesh, ETL pipelines, event streaming, and IoT.
• Hands-on build and scale concrete data platforms alongside the project delivery team.
• Implement best practices in data governance, compliance, and security, providing strategic guidance to clients throughout their transformation journey.
• Drive digital innovation and transformation projects, working on both clean-slate (greenfield) architectures and legacy environment modernization.
• Stay ahead of emerging trends and developments in data engineering, continuously sharing knowledge and insights with the team.
• Serve as a technical leader and key member of the go-to-market team, acting as a trusted advisor, sparring partner, and primary point of contact for clients during project execution.

Profile & Qualifications

Experience & Technical Skills

• Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Computer Science, Data Science, Information Technology, Engineering, or related quantitative disciplines).
• At least 5 years of professional experience in data engineering or data architecture.
• Hands-on experience with one or more major data platforms such as Microsoft Fabric, Databricks, Azure Synapse, or Azure Data Factory.
• Proficiency with enterprise cloud platforms, specifically Microsoft Azure and AWS.
• Strong expertise in programming and querying languages including SQL, Python, and PySpark.
• Deep understanding of relational and NoSQL database principles, data lakehouse architectures, and scalable data platforms.

Preferred Qualifications / Nice-to-Haves

• Familiarity with CI/CD pipelines and Agile project methodologies.
• Hands-on experience leveraging AI tools such as Gemini or Claude.
• Experience with Power BI or other enterprise analytics and visualization environments.

Soft Skills

• Strong analytical capabilities with a keen eye for both high-level strategy and technical detail.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Client-focused, proactive, and capable of working independently.
• An innovative mindset with a passion for continuous learning and emerging technologies.

What We Offer

• A market-based compensation and benefits package.
• A collaborative, talented, and supportive team of professionals.
• Flexible working arrangements regarding when and where you work (with offices in Antwerp, Kortrijk, and Kruibeke, plus hybrid/work-from-home options).
• Abundant professional growth and learning opportunities via peer collaboration, specialized training courses, and industry conferences.
• Opportunity to work on unique, challenging digital innovation projects, often bridging digital software and physical product engineering.

Eligibility Requirements & Third-Party Notice

Work Authorization: EU citizenship or a valid, permanent Belgian work permit is strictly required for this position.

Information for Third Parties: Unsolicited offers or resume submissions from third parties (recruitment agencies, headhunters, etc.) via email and/or phone will be considered direct applications, for which no placement fee will be paid. General terms and conditions from third parties will not be accepted unless explicitly signed in advance by an authorized HR manager. Candidates will remain registered in our system for 12 months and cannot be re-submitted during this period.