Job Description

We are tech transformation specialists, uniting human expertise with AI to create scalable tech solutions.With over 8,000 CI&Ters around the world, we’ve built partnerships with more than 1,000 clients during our 30 years of history. Artificial Intelligence is our reality.

We seek a seasoned and visionary  Principal Data Architect to join our team and lead transformative data architecture initiatives for a leading client in the  Financial Services industry — specifically in the cryptocurrency and digital asset investment funds sector This role is strategically critical, sitting at the intersection of modern data engineering, AI-driven innovation, and business enablement. The ideal candidate will bring both the architectural authority to make high-impact technical decisions and the leadership maturity to guide teams and influence stakeholders at the executive level.
The Principal Data Architect will own the evolution of our client's lakehouse/data lake platform and spearhead the design and implementation of AI agents to empower the sales organization. While a solid foundation for structured data already exists, the scope of this role extends to architecting solutions for  unstructured data, defining the  LLM and AI agents roadmap, and integrating advanced GenAI capabilities into the data ecosystem. This position demands a rare combination of deep technical expertise in cloud data platforms, hands-on experience with Applied AI, and the communication skills to bridge engineering and business leadership seamlessly.

Responsibilities:

• Data Architecture Leadership Lead the design and evolution of the client's lakehouse/data lake architecture, making critical decisions on platform modernization, technology selection, and scalable data patterns — with particular focus on extending current structured data capabilities to support unstructured data use cases.
• AI Agent Strategy & Implementation Provide technical direction for the design and deployment of AI agents (leveraging LLMs, RAG, and vector databases) aimed at enabling the sales team to rapidly access fund performance insights and CRM data when engaging high-net-worth investors.
• LLM & GenAI Roadmap Define and drive the roadmap for Large Language Model adoption and Generative AI integration within the client's data ecosystem, working with Enterprise-grade AI platforms and internal tooling.
• Stakeholder Engagement Act as the primary technical point of contact for client leadership and senior business stakeholders, translating complex architectural concepts into clear, actionable insights for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• DataOps & Data Lifecycle Management Implement and enforce DataOps principles across the data platform, ensuring secure access control, efficient data lifecycle management, and a well-governed, organized data structure.
• Mentorship & Team Development Mentor and develop team members, fostering a culture of continuous learning, technical excellence, and inclusive leadership. Support succession planning and balance team competencies across seniority levels.
• Strategic Innovation Continuously evaluate emerging technologies — particularly in AI, GenAI, and data engineering — recommending and implementing innovations that drive measurable business value.
• Risk & Operational Excellence Identify and mitigate architectural and operational risks proactively, ensuring platform reliability, security, and scalability across all data initiatives.

Requirements:

• Fluent English —  C1 level or above (essential for autonomous client engagement and stakeholder communication)
• Proven experience as a Principal Data Architect on large-scale data platform programs, including building, migrating, or modernizing data lakes and lakehouse architectures
• Deep expertise in  AWS as the primary cloud platform, with practical knowledge of core data services
• Hands-on experience with  GenAI and Applied AI, including LLMs, RAG, and vector databases
• Working knowledge of  Snowflake (including experience assessing and improving existing implementations)
• Strong understanding of  DataOps principles, data governance, and data lifecycle management
• Experience in the  Financial Services industry, including asset management, investment funds, fintech, or related sectors

Nice to Have:

• Practical knowledge of  Blockchain technologies and experience in cryptocurrency or digital asset environments —  highly valued differentiator given the client's business context
• Experience with  Databricks or other data lakehouse platforms
• Strong project management skills with hands-on experience in  agile methodologies
• Familiarity with  Enterprise-grade LLM platforms (e.g., AWS Bedrock, Anthropic Cloud)
• Experience in adjacent verticals such as  Wealth Management, Capital Markets, or Crypto/Web3 Financial Services
• Leadership and mentoring abilities, with a demonstrated track record of influencing cross-functional teams and executive stakeholders

#LI-JP3 Our benefits:
-Health and dental insurance-Meal and food allowance-Childcare assistance-Extended paternity leave-Partnership with gyms and health and wellness professionals via Wellhub (Gympass) TotalPass;-Profit Sharing and Results Participation (PLR);-Life insurance-Continuous learning platform (CI&T University);-Discount club-Free online platform dedicated to physical, mental, and overall well-being-Pregnancy and responsible parenting course-Partnerships with online learning platforms-Language learning platformAnd many more!
More details about our benefits here: https://ciandt.com/br/pt-br/carreiras
At CI&T, inclusion starts at the first contact. If you are a person with a disability, it is important to present your assessment during the selection process. See which data needs to be included in the report by clicking hereThis way, we can ensure the support and accommodations that you deserve. If you do not yet have the assessment, don't worry: we can support you in obtaining it.
We have a dedicated Health and Well-being team, inclusion specialists, and affinity groups who will be with you at every stage. Count on us to make this journey side by side.