Principal Data Platform Engineer Jobs in Basking Ridge, NJ

Adastra is looking for a senior, hands-on Principal Data Architect to lead the evolution of a modern AWS-based data platform from a federated data products layer into a scalable semantic layer powered by a Knowledge Graph. This role plays a critical part in shaping the architecture and technical direction of a next-generation data portal that enables advanced analytics, semantic search, and intuitive business-facing data experiences. You will act as both a technical leader and architect, working closely with engineering and product teams to bring proven concepts into production while helping build and guide a high-performing architecture team.

Primary Location: Toronto, ON or New York City, NY

Work Model: Hybrid 4-Days Onsite

Employment Type: Contractor

Vacancy Status: New

Responsibilities

• Define and own the architecture vision for expanding the data platform from federated data products to a semantic layer powered by a Knowledge Graph
• Lead the design and implementation of semantic and context graphs to support advanced analytics, data discovery, and insight generation
• Architect agentic systems layered on top of the data platform to enable semantic search, comprehension, and conversational data interactions
• Guide the productionization of a completed Proof of Concept into a scalable, enterprise-ready solution
• Provide hands-on technical leadership while helping build and mentor a high-performing data architecture team
• Collaborate with engineering, analytics, and product partners to align architecture decisions with business outcomes
• Ensure solutions are transparent, explainable, and accessible through business-facing interfaces

Qualifications, Skills & Experience

• Extensive experience in data architecture and platform design within large-scale, cloud-based environments
• Strong hands-on experience designing and implementing semantic layers or knowledge graph–based architectures
• Deep expertise with AWS data and analytics services
• Experience designing architectures that support advanced analytics, data discovery, and semantic search use cases
• Proven ability to work across PoC and production environments, translating concepts into operational solutions
• Strong leadership skills with experience guiding teams through complex architectural transformations
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders

Nice To Have

• Experience with agent-based or agentic architectures for data interaction and insight generation
• Familiarity with conversational analytics or chat-based business intelligence tools
• Experience working with explainable or transparent analytics solutions
• Background supporting business-facing data products or self-service analytics platforms

About Adastra

Adastra is a global leader in AI and data-driven transformation, helping organizations lead with artificial intelligence—responsibly, strategically, and at scale. With over 25 years of experience, Adastra empowers enterprise clients to unlock business value through data innovation, operational excellence, and smart customer engagement.

Trusted by some of the world's most prominent brands, Adastra delivers end-to-end solutions grounded in thoughtful strategy, robust governance, and deep technical expertise. From defining vision to ensuring execution, Adastra guides organizations through every stage of their AI, data and cloud journey—building future-ready capabilities and delivering measurable, lasting impact.

Adastra serves clients across key industries including financial services, automotive, manufacturing, technology, media and telecom (TMT), healthcare, retail, and professional services. The company employs more than 2,000 professionals across North America, Europe, and Asia.

What We Offer

• Opportunity for advancement and career progression
• Competitive compensation
• Successful referral program
• The opportunity to work with one of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies
• Satisfaction of working for a reputable company
• A flexible, dynamic, and diverse workplace

Equal Opportunity Employer

In our commitment to promote fair and equitable treatment of all employees and applicants, Adastra Corporation provides equal employment opportunities for all individuals regardless of age, sex, disability, race, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other ground as described in the Ontario Human Rights Code. In addition, accommodation will be provided during the hiring process. Adastra Corporation's implementation and support of employment initiatives, encourage diversified labour force participation and equal access to opportunities based on merit and performance.

AI Usage - Our hiring process includes the use of AI-enabled tools to screen applications (e.g., keyword matching, qualification ranking). A human recruiter reviews all AI-generated shortlists to make informed hiring decisions.

There has been an increased instance of fraudulent job offers coming from people posing as Adastra HR employees. Please note that Adastra will never request fees as part of our recruiting process and any emails sent to you that are not from '@adastragrp.com' or '@talent.icims.com' are fraudulent. All employment offers are sent via DocuSign and if you receive an employment offer from a suspicious email and not via DocuSign, it is fraudulent.

Contact careers@adastragrp.com to inquire about jobs at Adastra, to report a suspicious request for money or personal information from external websites or suspicious employment offers.