Senior Databricks & AI Architect

Job Role : Senior Databricks & AI ArchitectJob Location : SydneyJob type : Contract

Position OverviewWe are seeking a visionary Senior Databricks & AI Architect to lead the evolution of our modern data platform and AI roadmap. In this role, you will bridge the gap between complex insurance data domains and cutting-edge AI execution. You will be responsible for designing scalable Spark-based architectures, implementing rigorous FinOps and optimisation strategies, and pioneering Agentic AI workflows to automate high-value insurance processes (e.g., claims, underwriting, and risk assessment). Key ResponsibilitiesArchitectural Leadership: Design and govern end-to-end data architectures on the Databricks Data Intelligence Platform, ensuring seamless integration with existing insurance ecosystems.AI Innovation: Lead the design of emerging AI workflows, specifically focusing on Agentic AI (multi-agent systems), LLM orchestration (LangChain/LlamaIndex), and RAG patterns tailored for insurance policy and regulatory documents.Databricks FinOps & Performance: Own the platform’s efficiency. Implement cluster policies, Photon engine optimisations, and cost-attribution models to ensure high performance with a focus on ROI.Data Engineering Excellence: Standardise data engineering templates (Medallion architecture) and implement robust data modelling (Star/Snowflake, Vault 2.0) to handle structured and unstructured insurance data.Domain Alignment: Translate complex insurance concepts (Premiums, Claims, Actuarial models) into scalable technical schemas and AI logic.Governance & Security: Ensure all designs comply with industry regulations using Databricks Unity Catalog. Required Skills & ExperienceExperience: 8+ years in Data Engineering/Architecture, with at least 3+ years of hands-on leadership within the Databricks ecosystem.Core Tech: Expert-level knowledge of the Spark framework (PySpark/Scala), Delta Lake, and Databricks SQL.AI/ML Expertise: Proven experience building and deploying AI solutions. Deep understanding of the Agentic AI landscape—moving beyond simple chatbots to autonomous, goal-oriented agents.FinOps Mastery: Specific experience in Databricks cost management, instance selection, and performance tuning (Z-Ordering, Liquid Clustering).Data Management: Strong background in data modelling and the creation of reusable ETL/ELT templates and frameworks.Insurance Domain: Prior experience in the Insurance or FinServ sector is highly preferred; you must understand the nuances of policy-centric data. Education & CertificationsBachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Data Science, or a related field.Preferred: Databricks Certified Data Engineer Professional or Databricks Certified Machine Learning Professional.