Principal Data Solution Architect

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The number 1 Top Employer in South Africa. 
Certified by the Top Employer Institute 2024. 

Why join Vodacom:

• Shape Africa’s leading AI-powered TechCo transformation.
• Architect impactful solutions serving millions of customers.
• Work with cutting-edge technologies in cloud, AI/ML, and data.
• Be part of a purpose-driven, inclusive, and growth-oriented organization.

Role Purpose/Business Unit:

As the Lead Data Solution Architect, you will spearhead the end-to-end architecture, design, and evolution of Vodacom Group’s hybrid data, AI/ML, and analytics platforms across our markets (Egypt, South Africa, Mozambique, DRC, Tanzania, Lesotho). You will ensure scalable, compliant, secure, and cost-optimized solutions that underpin Vodacom’s AI-Powered TechCo ambition, driving hyper-personalized customer experiences, AI monetization, and enterprise productivity gains.

This is a pivotal role blending deep technical expertise, modern architectural principles, and business acumen to deliver a unified, modular, and future-fit data ecosystem across cloud and on-prem environments.

Your responsibilities will include:

Data & AI/ML Platform Architecture

• Lead the solution architecture for Vodacom Group’s Big Data estate, ensuring alignment with business, AI/ML, BI and regulatory requirements.
• Own architectural decisions across:
  
  • Data Lakehouse (Cloud & On-Premise)
  • On-Premises Big Data Platform 
  • Streaming Architecture (Kafka, real-time pipelines)
  • BI Consumption Layers (Qlik, Power BI, Looker etc)
  • Data Management Tools
  • MLOps Lifecycle (Enterprise Feature Stores, Model Deployment etc)
• Ensure architectural alignment for insight delivery, AI acceleration, and governed BI access across markets. 

Solution Design & Delivery

• Translate business needs into robust, compliant, and scalable technical solutions for both BI and advanced AI/ML use cases.
• Guide engineering squads on data ingestion, transformation, storage, governance, AI pipelines, and BI reporting integration.
• Lead architecture reviews, blueprinting, and ensure consistent technical standards across markets and squads.

Data Governance, Compliance & Security

• Architect solutions with embedded data privacy, residency, and security by design, adhering to market-specific regulatory requirements.
• Partner with Governance teams to operationalize metadata management, data quality frameworks, and ethical AI/BI principles.

Technology Strategy & Innovation

• Evaluate and recommend build vs. buy options for data and AI/ML capabilities (e.g., SaaS vs. custom-built solutions).
• Promote modern data, AI, and BI architecture principles — modular, open, scalable, and hybrid-ready.

Leadership & Stakeholder Influence

• Act as Vodacom’s technical authority on Data, AI/ML, and BI architecture, mentoring architects and engineers.
• Influence executives and cross-functional stakeholders by clearly articulating the business impact of architectural decisions.
• Foster collaboration between data engineering, ML engineering, BI teams, and business units to accelerate insights and AI outcomes.

Core competencies, knowledge, and experience:

• Strategic thinking with the ability to align technical solutions to business objectives.
• Deep technical hands-on ability with architectural design patterns.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, influencing across technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to lead in complex, multi-market, and multicultural environments.
• Passion for AI, data innovation, and driving measurable business value.
• 8+ years in data architecture, solution design, or related technical leadership roles.
• Proven expertise in:
  
  • Modern Data Platforms (Lakehouse, Data Fabric, Data Mesh)
  • Cloud and Hybrid Architectures (AWS, on-prem integrations)
  • Big Data Processing (Spark, EMR, Kafka, Glue)
  • Data Governance, Security, and Privacy frameworks
  • MLOps platforms and AI/ML pipelines
• Experience in regulated environments (e.g., financial services, telecommunications) advantageous.

The ideal candidate for this role will have:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Computer Science, Data Engineering, Information Systems, or related field.
• Cloud Architecture certifications (e.g., AWS Certified Solutions Architect) strongly preferred.

We make an impact by offering:

• Enticing incentive programs and competitive benefit packages
• Retirement funds, risk benefits, and medical aid benefits
• Cell phone and data benefits, advantages fibre connection discounts, and exclusive staff discounts offered in collaboration with partner companies

Closing date for Applications: 4 July 2025. 

The base location for this role is Midrand, Vodacom Campus. 

The company's approved Employment Equity Plan and Targets will be considered as part of the recruitment process. As an Equal Opportunities employer, we actively encourage and welcome people with various disabilities to apply.
Vodacom is committed to an organisational culture that recognises, appreciates, and values diversity & inclusion.