Data Architect

Freelance Data Architect (Brussels, Belgium)

Location: Brussels (Hybrid)

Contract Type: Freelance / Independent Contractor

Duration: [12 months, with possible extension]

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced Freelance Data Architect to design and oversee the implementation of scalable, secure, and future-proof data architectures in Brussels. You will define the strategic direction for data management, governance, and integration, ensuring alignment with business objectives and compliance with EU regulations. Working closely with engineering, analytics, and business teams, you will provide both high-level vision and practical technical guidance.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and maintain the overall data architecture (data warehouses, data lakes, real-time pipelines).
• Establish data governance, quality, and security frameworks in line with GDPR and EU standards.
• Design data models, integration patterns, and metadata management strategies.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to align data strategy with business requirements.
• Provide architectural guidance for data migration, cloud adoption, and modernization initiatives.
• Evaluate and recommend technologies, tools, and platforms to optimize performance and scalability.
• Mentor and support engineering teams to ensure architectural standards are implemented effectively.

Required Skills & Experience

• Proven experience as a Data Architect (freelance or permanent).
• Strong expertise in data modeling, warehousing, and data integration architectures.
• Hands-on experience with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP).
• Knowledge of big data ecosystems (Spark, Kafka, Hadoop) and orchestration tools (Airflow, dbt, etc.).
• Solid understanding of security, compliance, and GDPR requirements.
• Experience in enterprise architecture frameworks (TOGAF, DAMA, etc.) is a plus.
• Familiar with DevOps practices, containerization (Docker, Kubernetes), and CI/CD pipelines.
• Mandatory languages: Fluent in French or Dutch (spoken and written). Good command of English is also required.