Data Architect
Designs the overall data architecture: models, flows, governance and platform choices, so data serves the company over time.
Why this hire matters.
Data architecture mistakes surface late and cost dearly: a poorly designed data model at the start means six-figure migrations three years later, customer data duplicated and inconsistent across systems, and GDPR compliance impossible to demonstrate. The data architect makes the decisions all others depend on: which platform, which models, which data contracts between teams, which access governance. Their challenge is balancing long-term vision with pragmatism — the perfect architecture that blocks teams for six months is worth less than an evolvable one shipped now. In a scale-up, beware large-group architects used to three-year cycles: look for a builder who has already evolved an architecture under growth pressure.
Key missions.
- Define the target data architecture (platform, flows, models)
- Model data domains and their contracts
- Arbitrate platform choices (warehouse, lakehouse, streaming)
- Structure governance (access, quality, GDPR, lineage)
- Support data teams through implementation
- Anticipate architecture scalability and cost
- Align data architecture with AI strategy
Skills.
Technical skills
- Data modeling (dimensional, data vault)
- Modern platforms (Snowflake, Databricks, BigQuery)
- Flow architecture (batch, streaming, CDC)
- Data governance and security
Expected qualities
- Systems vision
- Trade-off judgment
- Business communication
Common stack
Salaries 2025-2026
| Level | Experience | Annual gross base |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs (rare) | 45–55 k€ |
| Mid-level | 2-5 yrs | 55–70 k€ |
| Senior | 5-8 yrs | 68–85 k€ |
| Principal | 8+ yrs | 85–110 k€ |
Paris market ranges, 2025-2026.
Outside the Paris region, expect 10 to 20 % less.
Sources : Bureau des Talents 2026 · Glassdoor Paris 2026 (moyenne 76,5k) · Factoriel 2026
Hiring this profile.
Typical background
Senior data engineer who broadened their vision, or an IT architect specialized in data. Operating architectures at scale is the decisive criterion.
When to hire
When several data teams coexist and structural choices pile up without an owner — often Series B/C, or during a platform rebuild.
Career path
Principal → Head of Data Platform → Chief Data Officer, or data architecture consulting.