Data Architect Databricks and Lakehouse Modeling

First Abu Dhabi Bank

Position Overview
First Abu Dhabi Bank is hiring an experienced Data Architect to lead enterprise-wide data modeling and lakehouse architecture initiatives in Abu Dhabi. This role is ideal for a data specialist with deep expertise in Databricks, Unity Catalog, and dimensional modeling within the banking domain. You will be responsible for building robust Gold layer structures, managing metadata and governance, and optimizing data infrastructure for performance and compliance.

Job Details
Location: United Arab Emirates
Location: Abu Dhabi
Industry: Information Technology (IT)
Function: Software Engineering / Development
Gender: Any
Candidate Nationality: Any
Candidate Preferred Location: Any
Job Type: Full-time

Core Duties

* Design and implement enterprise-scale Gold-tier data models using Databricks Lakehouse architecture
* Lead dimensional modeling initiatives including fact/dimension designs and conformed dimensions
* Administer Unity Catalog: schemas, access controls, asset tagging, and audit tracking
* Optimize Delta Lake performance (e.g., z-ordering, caching, partitioning, file sizing)
* Develop and enforce data definitions, metadata standards, and semantic consistency
* Create and maintain business glossary and data dictionary assets
* Implement lineage and observability frameworks using Unity Catalog or third-party tools
* Write high-performance SQL and PySpark queries for batch orchestration and rollback strategies
* Ensure regulatory compliance including record retention, PII masking, and data access management

Candidate Requirements

* 10+ years of experience as a Data Architect, Data Modeler, or Data Engineer
* Proficiency in Dimensional Modeling and Star Schema design
* Expert in Databricks (Delta Lake, DBSQL, Spark) and Unity Catalog administration
* Familiarity with Airflow or native Databricks Workflows for orchestration
* Strong skills in advanced SQL and intermediate PySpark
* Hands-on experience with lineage tools such as Collibra, Atlan, or Unity native
* Understanding of banking products and customer lifecycle metrics
* Knowledge of governance policies and regulatory data requirements in banking