Director, Principal Data Architect

Job description

Your opportunity At Schwab, you’re empowered to make an impact on your career. Here, innovative thought meets creative problem solving, helping us “challenge the status quo” and transform the finance industry together. We believe in the importance of in-office collaboration and fully intend for the selected candidate for this role to work on site in the specified location(s). Schwab Technology Services enables the future of how clients manage their money by providing innovative and reliable technology products and services as part of our ongoing commitment to democratize access to investing and financial planning.

The Principal Data Architect shapes enterprise data architecture and guides significant decisions across data management, analytics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, cloud platforms, and operational data solutions. The role translates business priorities into target-state architectures, roadmaps, reusable patterns, standards, and practical delivery guidance. As a senior individual contributor, this architect works across organizational boundaries to align stakeholders, constructively challenge designs, and connect near-term delivery decisions to the firm’s long-term data strategy.

Key Responsibilities

Develop strategic architecture for enterprise data, analytics, AI/ML, client data, operational data, and self-service capabilities. Create target-state architectures, reference architectures, architecture decision records, integration and data-flow designs, data models, standards, and roadmaps. Lead or materially contribute to architecture for complex, high-impact, or cross-domain initiatives. Evaluate alternatives across business value, risk, cost, scalability, resiliency, security, operational complexity, delivery speed, and long-term maintainability.

Guide appropriate use of Google Cloud data services, including BigQuery, Cloud SQL, Vertex AI, BigQuery ML, and Dataplex, where aligned with approved strategy and use-case needs. Constructively review designs for alignment with enterprise direction, architecture standards, governance, security, privacy, and data lifecycle requirements. Identify material risks, dependencies, duplication, and technical debt early; recommend practical alternatives and escalation paths.

Partner with business, product, engineering, platform, cybersecurity, governance, risk, and other architecture teams to drive cohesive outcomes. Communicate architecture vision, implications, and progress in clear business language for technical, business, and executive audiences. Mentor architects and engineers, facilitate design workshops and communities of practice, and publish reusable patterns and guidance.

What you have Required Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, Data Science, or a related field, or equivalent relevant professional experience. 10+ years of broad enterprise data architecture experience, including 3+ years focused on modern data architecture. Demonstrated experience with data management, modeling, warehouses and BI, cloud data platforms, batch and streaming integration, analytics, data science, and AI/ML enablement.

Experience developing domain- and ecosystem-level target states, roadmaps, blueprints, and reusable architecture patterns. Experience with hyperscale cloud data platforms; Google Cloud experience is preferred. Strong written and verbal communication, sound decision quality, and demonstrated ability to influence senior stakeholders and technical teams without direct authority. Experience applying established architecture practices such as TOGAF or comparable methods.

In addition to the salary range, this role is also eligible for bonus or incentive opportunities. What’s in it for you At Schwab, you’re empowered to shape your future. We champion your growth through meaningful work, continuous learning, and a culture of trust and collaboration—so you can build the skills to make a lasting impact. Our Hybrid Work and Flexibility approach balances our ongoing commitment to workplace flexibility, serving our clients, and our strong belief in the value of being together in person on a regular basis.

We offer a competitive benefits package that takes care of the whole you – both today and in the future: 401(k) with company match and Employee stock purchase plan Paid time for vacation, volunteering, and 28-day sabbatical after every 5 years of service for eligible positions Paid parental leave and family building benefits Tuition reimbursement Health, dental, and vision insurance