Power BI Architect

Position Overview:

The Power BI Architect is a semantic modeling expert responsible for designing and optimizing enterprise-grade tabular models and broader Fabric solutions. The role is focused on backend modeling and DAX, with the goal of ensuring high performance, scalability, and simplicity for end users within a self-service environment. This Architect will be a key advisor to other Power BI developers, helping to solve modeling challenges while upholding standards and ensuring alignment with best practices. The Architect must bring experience with CI/CD tools to operate effectively in this environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Semantic Modeling and Architecture:

- Design performant, scalable tabular models using Import, DirectQuery, and hybrid storage modes.

- Implement composite models, aggregation tables, calculation groups, and other Fabric services and solution architectures

- Use Tabular Editor (v2/v3), Best Practice Analyzer, and ALM Toolkit to enforce modeling standards and improve maintainability.

DAX Engineering and Optimization:

- Write efficient and complex DAX measures for use across business domains.

- Optimize DAX logic using Performance Analyzer, VertiPaq Analyzer, and DAX Studio.

- Implement row-level and object-level security models as needed.

Collaboration and Technical Oversight:

- Provide architectural guidance and code reviews for junior and senior Power BI developers.

- Maintain consistency and alignment with enterprise modeling principles and performance standards.

- Document modeling approaches, patterns, and usage conventions for development teams.

- Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) where needed

Platform Integration and Development Practices:

- Operate within established DevOps frameworks and deployment pipelines using Azure DevOps and Git.

- Ensure semantic models are developed with CI/CD readiness and follow source control best practices.

- Collaborate with platform and infrastructure teams as needed for model deployment, refresh strategies, and access control.

Required Skills and qualifications:

Education:

- Bachelor's degree in computer science, Information Systems, Data Analytics, or a related field. Master's degree preferred.

Experience:

- Minimum of 7 years working with Power BI and the Tabular Object Model (TOM).

- Proficiency with Tabular Editor, DAX Studio, ALM Toolkit, and model performance tuning tools.

- Strong experience with SQL and deep understanding of relational and analytical databases.

- Hands-on experience working in environments with CI/CD pipelines using Azure DevOps and Git.

- Familiarity with broader suite of Fabric services, such as Delta Lake, Lakehouse, and notebooks with Semantic Link Labs a plus.

Skills:

- Expert-level DAX and semantic model design skills.

- Strong command of tabular architecture, partitions, relationships, and data refresh strategies.

- Ability to coach developers and communicate technical concepts clearly.

- Comfortable working independently on backend development with limited involvement in visual/report design.

Certifications:

- Microsoft Certified: Power BI Data Analyst Associate or equivalent preferred.

- Azure Data certifications are a plus.