Data Architect

At SNCB/NMBS we aspire to become data-driven. We aim to transform data into a communal asset providing all key players a unified perspective of the company. We equip users with the necessary tools for data analysis and exploration, fostering insights that enhance customer satisfaction and operational productivity. As a Data Architect within our Data & Analytics team, you have a pivotal role in materializing this vision by engineering solutions that enable data flow across the company. Your primary responsibilities include: 1. Translating business needs into solutions that effectively collect, store, convert, distribute, visualize and utilize data. You guide the delivery teams during the implementation to ensure alignment with strategic plans and objectives. 2. Contributing to defining SNCB/NMBS's future data architecture in sync with the company's strategic goals. Under the guidance of Enterprise Architects and in collaboration with the delivery teams, you participate in developing the reference data architecture framework, standards, principles, technological choices, and implementation roadmap. 3. Partnering with the data platform teams to continually assess the performance and efficiency of our data platform, identifying and designing necessary improvements to ensure it meets the requirements and supports data engineers, scientists, and analysts across the company. 4. Playing an active part in NMBS/SNCB's data governance processes, ensuring business glossaries, data quality tools, and data security policies are established and adhered to. You manage meta-data properly and contribute to the establishment and enhancement of our data catalog. 5. Collaborating and coordinating across various departments, stakeholders, partners, and external vendors. You align with stakeholders from the business, data & analytics teams within the company, and the enterprise architecture teams. Requirements: - You hold a Master’s degree (preferably in computer science) or equivalent experience. - You have relevant professional experience as a data architect and have worked for some time as a developer in Data & Analytics - you comprehend the system development life cycle, project management methodologies, and requirements/design/test practices. - Knowledge of Data Architecture principles such as Data as a Product. - Understanding of the significance of Data Governance and experience in its application. - Capable of thinking abstractly and conceptually, able to communicate the larger data narrative to others. - Proven experience in data modeling and design; experience with Microsoft Azure tools such as Azure Data Factory, Azure ML Studio, Azure Synaps, Azure Analysis Services, PowerBI. - Experience with SAP BW/BW4, SAP Analytics Cloud. - Affinity and familiarity with both established and emerging data technologies. - Knowledge of columnar and NoSQL databases, predictive analytics, machine learning and artificial intelligence, data visualization, and unstructured data. - Familiarity with data quality, data catalog, and data security frameworks is a plus. - Ability to mentor and coach; ideally experienced in working with offshore teams. - Fluency in English and either Dutch or French (knowledge of the second national language is an asset). Our offer: As part of our open corporate culture, you contribute to the digital transformation of SNCB. You have a job with a societal impact and ample opportunities to make your own mark. Besides a good work-life balance and a competitive salary, you are entitled to the following benefits: - Possibility to work remotely and flexible working hours. - 35 days of leave. - Company car and public transport season ticket. - Performance-based bonus. - Comprehensive insurance package (affiliation without self-contribution, excluding outpatient costs for family members). This includes hospitalization and dental care for the entire family, outpatient costs, group insurance comprising supplementary pension, work disability and death (cafeteria plan), and workplace accidents (extralegal). - Meal vouchers and eco-vouchers. - Net allowances for remote working and carwash, plus an internet budget.