Data Architect (IT Data Analytics & Architecture)

Job Summary/Purpose

Delta Utilities is seeking a Data Architect to stand up a modern, cloud‑first IT landscape that will serve 580,000 natural gas customers across Louisiana and Mississippi. This Data Architect will design and maintain an enterprise data architecture. The solution will optimize our Oracle Utilities cloud suite (ERP, CCS, WACS, HCM, OFS) while integrating additional enterprise and external data sources. In this role, the Data Architect will develop scalable, secure data solutions aligned with our guiding pillars of reliability, performance, cost optimization, security, and operational efficiency. Strong technical capabilities combined with communication skills are critical to align business, security, and operational goals.

- Develop and maintain the enterprise data architecture and roadmap, aligning data solutions with business objectives and Guiding Pillars.

- Define and document data architecture standards (data models, integration patterns, naming conventions), ensuring all designs are requirements‑driven and traceable to business needs.

- Evaluate emerging data technologies and recommend improvements to keep the data platform modern and efficient.

Data Integration & Pipeline Development

- Design and build data integration pipelines connecting the Oracle Utilities suite to the enterprise data platform.

- Ensure data pipelines are reliable and fault‑tolerant, with automated error handling and recovery processes.

- Optimize ingestion and transformation processes (e.g., Azure Data Factory, Microsoft Fabric) for low latency and high throughput.

- Integrate additional enterprise and external data sources to ensure seamless data flow across platforms.

Data Governance & Security

- Implement robust data governance using Microsoft Purview to catalog data assets, manage metadata, and track lineage.

- Enforce zero‑trust and least‑privilege principles, ensuring sensitive data is encrypted in transit and at rest.

- Establish data quality standards and validation processes to maintain a single source of truth and ensure compliance with regulations.

Performance & Reliability

- Engineer data architecture for high performance and reliability, design data stores and queries to handle current and future peak loads.

- Incorporate redundancy and failover mechanisms to eliminate single points of failure; test disaster‑recovery scenarios regularly.

- Monitor data platform performance and fine‑tune configurations to meet or exceed SLA targets.

Cost Optimization & Operational Efficiency

- Optimize data storage and processing costs by right‑sizing cloud resources and selecting cost‑effective services.

- Track usage and spending trends as part of a cloud cost management practice to ensure cost‑efficiency.

- Automate data pipeline deployments and routine operations using infrastructure‑as‑code and CI/CD for data infrastructure.

- Keep documentation, diagrams, and runbooks up to date; conduct regular reviews to simplify designs and improve efficiency.

Collaboration & Best Practices

- Collaborate with application architects, business analysts, and data engineers to design end‑to‑end solutions.

- Contribute to architecture review boards and peer reviews, ensuring data solutions meet enterprise standards and align with Delta Utilities’ Guiding Pillars.

- Champion core engineering practices: the Keep It Super Simple principle, requirements‑driven architecture, peer review, and a culture of questioning assumptions.

- Mentor junior team members and promote continuous improvement of architecture, processes, and tools.

Minimum Requirements

- Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field preferred

Minimum Experience Required Of The Position

- 7+ years in data architecture, data engineering, or related roles designing and implementing enterprise data solutions; utilities, energy, or asset‑intensive industry experience strongly preferred

Minimum Knowledge, Skills And Abilities Preferred Of The Position

- Having experience with Microsoft PureView

- Expertise with Oracle Database and SQL (data modeling, complex queries, performance tuning)

- Hands‑on experience with Microsoft Azure data platforms (Azure Data Factory, Microsoft Fabric, Azure Data Lake Storage, Azure SQL Database) and data governance tools (Microsoft Purview)

- Proven ability to design data warehouses/lakes and ETL/ELT pipelines

- Strong data modeling skills (relational and dimensional)

- Familiarity with integrating SaaS applications (Oracle Utilities suite or similar) and additional enterprise or external data sources

- Knowledge of data security best practices (encryption, access controls) and compliance standards

- Excellent problem‑solving and communication skills

Any Certificates, Licenses, Etc. Required For The Position

- Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate (DP‑203)

- Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate (PL‑300)

- Preferred: Additional certifications such as Azure Solutions Architect, Oracle Database, or DAMA CDMP

Physical Requirements

- Able to operate a personal computer, either desktop or laptop.

- Able to sit for extended periods of time.

- Able to operate a copy machine, fax machine, calculator, telephone and other miscellaneous office equipment.

- Able to exert up to 50 Lbs. of force occasionally, and /or a minimal amount of force frequently to lift, carry, push or otherwise move objects.

Working Conditions

The Physical Demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the Accountabilities and Essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable an individual with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

- Perform other job-related duties as assigned, within your scope of responsibilities.

- Job duties are performed in a normal and clean office environment with normal noise levels.

- Work is predominately done while standing or sitting.

- The ability to comprehend, document, calculate, visualize and analyze are required.

- Able to work regular hours, with occasional overtime.

- Able to respond to emergency calls and/or callouts and occasionally return to work while off duty.

- May be required to remain in the service area during emergency events and assume responsibilities assigned by the company to aide in restoration efforts.

About Delta Utilities

Delta Utilities is a natural gas utility headquartered in New Orleans that provides safe, reliable natural gas services across Louisiana and Mississippi. We understand the value of dependable energy and our important role in building stronger, more resilient communities. Delta Utilities is a $1.7 billion organization that represents 600,000 customers and is among the top 40 natural gas utilities in the United States.

Delta Utilities acquired CenterPoint Energy's natural gas utility operations in Louisiana and Mississippi in April 2025 and acquired Entergy's natural gas utilities in Baton Rouge and New Orleans in July 2025.

Delta Utilities is regulated by the Louisiana Public Service Commission, the Mississippi Public Service Commission, and the New Orleans City Council. We work closely with our regulatory agencies to deliver safe and reliable natural gas service and maintain fair rates for our customers.

Learn more at https://deltautilities.com.

Delta Utilities and associated entities are equal-opportunity employers. We do not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on any legally recognized basis or any protected class under federal, state, or local law.