AISB-1035 Expert Data Architect

ABAKUS IT SOLUTIONS is looking for an Expert Data Architect to join a large-scale public-sector digital transformation programme in Brussels. In this role, you will analyse and model an existing data landscape, define data architecture principles, assess target architecture options and contribute to a pragmatic, prioritised roadmap. You will work at the intersection of business, enterprise architecture, solution architecture, data engineering and data governance, helping stakeholders move from an AS-IS landscape towards a coherent and sustainable data architecture.

Your Missions

• Analyse and document the existing data landscape, including data sources, applications, repositories, flows and interfaces.
• Identify data silos, redundancies, quality issues, ownership gaps and other architectural pain points.
• Design conceptual and logical data models for key business domains and produce the associated data dictionary.
• Identify master data, Systems of Record (SoR) and data ownership rules.
• Define data architecture principles and standards aligned with enterprise architecture.
• Assess and compare different data architecture paradigms such as Data Hub, Lakehouse, Data Mesh, Data Fabric and Data Virtualisation.
• Define appropriate patterns for API, event-driven architecture, replication, virtualisation and analytical data flows.
• Translate requirements related to security, GDPR, data sovereignty and digital sustainability into actionable architecture principles.
• Contribute to the definition of the target data architecture and document architectural decisions.
• Define the minimum data governance foundations required to support the target architecture, including roles, metadata, cataloguing, access rights and data lifecycle.
• Develop a prioritised and actionable roadmap, including transition architectures, work packages and dependencies.
• Facilitate workshops with Business Analysts, Enterprise Architects, Solution Architects, Data Engineers and other stakeholders.
• Present and defend architecture options and recommendations to decision‑making stakeholders.
• Ensure knowledge transfer and produce clear, reusable documentation for internal teams.

Your Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Senior / Expert Data Architect in complex IT environments.
• Strong expertise in data modelling, both conceptual and logical.
• Solid experience with data landscape mapping, including sources, flows, applications and repositories.
• Strong knowledge of Master Data Management (MDM), Systems of Record, data quality, metadata and data catalogues.
• Experience comparing and designing modern data architecture approaches such as:
  • Data Hub
  • Data Lake / Lakehouse
  • Data Mesh
  • Data Fabric
  • Data Virtualisation
• Good understanding of data integration and exposure patterns, including APIs, event-driven architecture, replication and analytical data pipelines.
• Knowledge of data governance, data ownership, lifecycle management, access rights and GDPR.
• Experience with architecture frameworks or methodologies such as TOGAF, ArchiMate, DAMA-DMBOK or equivalent.
• Experience with data modelling, architecture and mapping tools such as Sparx Enterprise Architect or similar.
• Ability to translate business requirements and processes into data models and architecture principles.
• Experience working closely with Business Analysts, Enterprise Architects, Solution Architects and Data Engineers.
• Strong analytical, communication and documentation skills.
• Ability to challenge assumptions, compare alternatives and provide well‑argued architectural recommendations.
• English: Passive / Reading knowledge.
• Experience in the public sector and/or the education sector is a strong asset.
• TOGAF certification is an asset.

Why Join ABAKUS IT SOLUTIONS?

• Work on a strategic data architecture mission within a large-scale digital transformation programme.
• Contribute to decisions that will shape a long‑term data architecture, rather than simply implementing predefined solutions.
• Collaborate with experienced professionals across data, enterprise architecture, solution architecture and governance.
• Work on challenging topics including Data Governance, MDM, data sovereignty, GDPR and modern data architecture paradigms.
• Join a professional IT consulting environment where your expertise and recommendations have a direct impact.
• Benefit from the support of an experienced IT organisation while working on high‑value technology projects.