Job Posting: Principal Data Architect

Office of Data and Innovation

JC-513898
-
Principal Data Architect
C. E. A.

$12,131.00 - $14,453.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 4/29/2026

Job Description and Duties

Under the general direction of the Deputy Director, Data Operations Strategy, the Principal Data Architect serves as the Office of Data & Innovation’s (ODI) primary technical authority for data engineering platforms and services and is responsible for defining and maintaining technical policies, standards, and architectural frameworks that govern ODI’s data engineering work. The Principal Data Architect establishes authoritative architectural standards, engineering patterns, and implementation guidance for ODI’s data engineering work. The position provides technical direction for complex initiatives that enable reliable and scalable data systems across ODI and partner departments. The incumbent exercises broad discretion and independent judgment in evaluating architectural approaches, authorizing engineering solutions, and ensuring that technical implementations meet program requirements and long-term sustainability needs.

The Principal Data Architect provides expert technical guidance, peer review, and architectural oversight across ODI engineering efforts and contributes to the development of shared technical resources, documentation standards, and engineering frameworks. This position plays a critical role in advancing ODI’s mission to improve services and outcomes for Californians by strengthening the State’s capacity to use data effectively, responsibly, and sustainably.

Need help understanding the hiring process or have questions about ODI? We'd love to talk to you! Before applying contact us at odi-talent-team@innovation.ca.gov. Please include the position title in the subject line.

In order to be considered for this position, you must submit:

  • A resume 
  • A Statement of Qualifications

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

ODI staff reside throughout California. The employee’s workstation will be located in Sacramento, Los Angeles, San Diego, or Oakland. Travel to the Sacramento headquarters may be required as needed. This position provides telework opportunities in accordance with agency telework policies.

Minimum Requirements

This position does not have a Classification Specification. Requirements and qualifications for this position can be found in this announcement. For additional questions, please contact the hiring department listed below.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-513898
Position #(s):
418-100-7500-001
Working Title:
Principal Data Architect
Classification:
C. E. A.
$12,131.00 - $14,453.00 B
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
United States
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Career Executive Assignment - Non Tenured, Full Time

Department Information

The California Office of Data and Innovation helps deliver better services to the people of California through technology and design. In close partnership with our colleagues in other state departments, we reimagine and deliver more equitable and effective programs and products. We listen to Californians who use a program now or may do so tomorrow and hear about what they need. We build tools and products, create and enhance digital services, conduct research, identify data solutions and offer training. We are a cross-discipline staff with blended backgrounds in design, engineering, product, operations, data, research, policy and strategy. If you can imagine joining this growing, and inclusive team, please apply!

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at ODI
Diversity, equity, and inclusion help us deliver better government services to Californians. Fostering diversity inspires better ideas and more innovative thinking. Feeling included nurtures a shared sense of community. This drives us to take collective action on challenging problems. Prioritizing equity ensures we build solutions for people whose needs are often overlooked. We acknowledge our history and present of implicit and structural injustice, bias, and discrimination. We see, hear, and accept each other and the lived experiences we bring to our work. We support each other in learning and developing so we can help all Californians thrive. We understand this work is never done. That’s why we commit to constant improvement.

Please note, CalHR provides contracted Human Resources services for ODI and is not an E-Verified employer.
Department Website: https://innovation.ca.gov/

Special Requirements

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required as part of the examination process. Please include a completed SOQ in your own words, providing specific examples and anecdotes that demonstrate your capabilities. The SOQ should not exceed two pages, single spaced, using Arial 12-point font size.
  1. Describe your experience shaping technical policy standards or practices for data engineering that applied across teams, programs, or partner organizations. Include examples, positions, and years held. 
  2. Describe a project where you influenced a high-impact technical decision. Describe how you evaluated options, ensured organizational buy-in, and implemented the solution. 
  3. Describe your experience developing staff in a quickly-evolving technical domain. How did you approach developing their expertise while continuing to meet project deliverables? 
Resumes, letters, and other materials will not be considered a response to the SOQ. Applications submitted without an SOQ will be excluded from consideration.

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: 4/29/2026

Who May Apply

Individuals who are eligible to be appointed to this Career Executive Assignment (CEA) by the State of California.

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

Office of Data and Innovation
CalHR
Attn: Human Resources Office - Class & Hiring
1515 S Street
North Building, Suite 500
Sacramento, CA 95811

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Office of Data and Innovation
CalHR
Human Resources Office - Class & Hiring
1810 16th Street
Sacramento, CA 95811
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

  • Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
  • Resume is required and must be included.
  • Statement of Qualifications - A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required as part of the examination process. Please see the Special Requirements section for further information.
Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Examination Qualification Requirements

All applicants must possess the knowledge and abilities, and any other requirements, described in this announcement.

Note: Eligibility to take a CEA examination does not require current permanent status in the civil service.

General Qualifications

State civil service employees must possess essential general qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, and ability to work cooperatively with others.

Knowledge and Abilities

Applicants must demonstrate the ability to perform high administrative and policy – influencing functions effectively. Such overall ability requires possession of most of the following more specific knowledge and abilities:

  • Knowledge of the organization and functions of California State Government including the organization and practices of the Legislature and the Executive Branch; principles, practices, and trends of public administration, organization, and management; techniques of organizing and motivating groups; program development and evaluation; methods of administrative problem solving; principles and practices of policy formulation and development; and personnel management techniques; the department’s or agency’s Equal Employment Opportunity Program objectives; and a manager’s role in the Equal Employment Opportunity Program.
  • Ability to plan, organize, and direct the work of multidisciplinary professional and administrative staff; analyze administrative policies, organization, procedures and practices; integrate the activities of a diverse program to attain common goals; gain the confidence and support of top level administrators and advise them on a wide range of administrative matters; develop cooperative working relationships with representatives of all levels of government, the public, and the Legislature and Executive branches; analyze complex problems and recommend effective courses of action; and prepare and review reports; and effectively contribute to the department’s or agency’s Equal Employment Opportunity objectives.

These knowledge and abilities are expected to be obtained from the following kinds of experience with substantial participation in the formulation, operation and/or evaluation of program policies (experience may have been paid or volunteer; in State service, other government settings, or in a private organization):

CEA Level A - Responsible for broad administrative and program activities, including the execution and/or evaluation of program policies.

CEA Level B - Responsible for extensive managerial and program administration or broad program manager experience with substantial participation in the formulation, operation, and/or evaluation of program policies.

CEA Level C - Responsible for extensive highly professional influence and contributes to program, policy, and the methods to provide professional services needed to set policies, to meet the mission of the State department and often exercising technical and or professional skills that are required at this level.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:
We encourage you to apply regardless of whether you think you meet 100% of the desirable qualifications.
  • Experience providing senior technical leadership and architectural authority for data engineering teams in complex organizations.
  • Experience developing, authorizing, and enforcing engineering standards, policies, and procedures to promote data engineering best practices. 
  • Experience directing the technical execution of multiple complex initiatives, including evaluating architectual impact, sequencing work, and resolving competing technical priorities and deadlines. 
  • Experience mentoring engineers through technical review, architectural guidance and knowledge sharing practices. 
  • Experience supporting cross-team projects through a variety of operational models.
  • Knowledge of data governance, data quality, privacy, security, and responsible data use practices.
  • Strong knowledge of modern data engineering practices, including cloud based data platforms, automated pipelines, data modeling, testing, documentation, continuous integration / continuous deployment, and infrastructure as code. 
  • Ability to make and defend, and clearly communicate technical decisions,including tradeoffs between technical feasibility, risk, security, and product or customer requirements to non-technical stakeholders. 

Examination Information

Please note there is no online examination for the CEA classification. Your Statement of Qualifications will be evaluated as part of the examination process.

If you meet the requirements stated in this announcement, you may take this competitive examination. Possession of the Examination Qualifications requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination will be compared with the performance of others who take this examination, and all successful candidates will be ranked according to their scores.

A minimum rating of 70% must be attained in the Examination to obtain list eligibility for this position. All candidates will receive written notification of their examination results.

The results of this examination will only be used to fill this position. Applications will be retained for twelve months.

Hiring interviews for the Job may be conducted with the most qualified candidates.

The examining Department reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service law and rules and all competitors will be notified.

Special Testing Arrangements

If you have a disability and need special testing arrangements, answer the Reasonable Accommodations question appropriately on your Application (STD 678). You will be contacted to make specific arrangements. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this announcement.

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Department Website: https://innovation.ca.gov/
Human Resources Contact:
Jennifer Catalano
(916) 879-4946
Jennifer.Catalano@calhr.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
RA Coordinators
(916) 322-6997
RACoordinators@calhr.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Additional Application Information

Using the online application system as specified in the announcement is the preferred method for applying for civil service job opportunities; however, applicants may instead apply by way of U.S. mail, parcel delivery or courier service, or in person, as set forth in this announcement.

  • Electronic Submission: Application and any required applicable documents may be submitted electronically through CalCareers account. The application packages must be received electronically by 11:59 p.m. on the final filing date as stated on the job vacancy announcement. 
  • U.S Postal Service Mail: Application and any applicable required documents may be submitted by mail. The envelope must be postmarked before or on the final filing date as stated on the job vacancy announcement. 
Do not include confidential information such as social security numbers, date of birth, marital status, equal employment opportunity data, examination scores, and LEAP information.

Per CCR 249.3 we may fill additional positions from this recruitment.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

Application Methods:
Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)
By Mail
Drop-off
Print Job