---
title: 'Data Architect | US at Cuesta Partners'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/data-architect-us-cuesta-partners-chicago-dx95f9k0gx5m'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-11'
---

# Data Architect | US at Cuesta Partners

- **Company:** Cuesta Partners
- **Location:** Chicago, IL
- **Compensation:** $175k–$225k
- **Employment:** full-time
- **Work type:** remote
- **Posted:** 2026-01-28
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-11
- **Apply:** https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/cuesta-partners/43bd76d3-3905-4895-9afb-2a6d049d89a5

## Job description

Cuesta Partners is looking for a Data Architect to engage with us on transformational data programs with companies looking to take their AI & data capabilities to the next level. Key Areas of Focus: Business data modeling

- Trade-offs between different modeling philosophies – dimensional, 3NF, Data Vault
- Conceptual vs physical modeling
- Modeling techniques such as inheritance, parent / child tables, ragged structures, slowly changing dimensions etc.
- Normalization vs de-normalization trade-offs
- Detailed understanding the design trade-offs around different modeling approaches
- Ability to lead model review sessions, and being able to lay out the design "options" and implications, and also present it in a way that both executives and technical-minded people can understand

Modern data delivery design patterns

- Data as product
- Design compromises & considerations
- Know what exemplar deliverables look like
- Team composition and responsibilities / work to be done
- Streaming vs batch design patterns / considerations
- Pros / cons of data mesh delivery model vs alternatives
- Comparison of modern cloud native platforms vs legacy on-premises data solutions

Master data governance

- Types and most common root cause of DQ issues
- Remediation approaches
- MDM architecture styles / patterns
- Key capabilities of MDM & DQ vendors

Expert in technologies including 1 or more of each class:

- Data management layer
- Snowflake
- Databricks
- Microsoft Fabric
- GCP Big Query/ AWS DB Options
- Data acquisition & integration
- Azure Data Factory (ADF)
- Matillion
- FiveTran & HVR
- Keboola
- Data transformation & orchestration
- ETL
- DBT
- Python / SQL
- Apache Airflow etc.
- Vis:
- PowerBI
- Tableau
- Looker
- Domo / ThoughtSpot / Qlik / platform BI vendors (ORCL, SAP, AWS etc.)

Architecture transformations:

- Considerations / experience evaluating lift & shift vs re-model trade-offs
- Considerations / experience when consolidating decentralized silos
- Considerations / experience when moving to modern cloud stacks
- Considerations / experience when enabling unified operational & analytics data hubs

Communication & leadership skills:

- Able to identify & evaluate most important criteria when making design decisions
- Able to look around corners – recognize likely issues before they happen
- Able to communicate complex subjects with executive leaders
- Able to solicit input & feedback to model and design decisions
- Ability to teach / leverage experience to develop team/talent around them
- Use past experiences to help with change management to eases concerns over shifts in approach

What You'll Do:

- Design the business data model based on the discovered business processes and data analysis
- Set the standard for AI-augmented development practices — ensuring projects are structured and tooled in ways that allow coding agents to operate effectively, and coaching the team to work the same way.
- Translate business requirements into technical design specifications, including data streams, integrations, transformations, databases, and data warehouses.
- Develop work estimates for Data Warehouse & Data Lake deliverables
- Coach and mentor a team of a few dozen data engineers, analysts and ML Engineers on data architecture and modeling best practices
- Define the data architecture framework, standards, and principles, including modeling, metadata, security, reference data such as product codes and client categories, and master data such as clients, vendors, materials, and employees
- Define reference architecture, which is a pattern others can follow to create and improve data systems
- Define data flows, i.e., which parts of the organization generate data, which require data to function, how data flows are managed, and how data changes in transition
- Collaborate and coordinate with team members, clients and external SMEs

What We're Looking For:

- Bachelor’s degree in a technical or quantitative field (e.g. Computer Science, Math, Economics Statistics)
- 10+ years of work experience in the data analytics space
- Active, hands-on experience using AI-assisted development tools (e.g., Cursor, Claude Code, Codex, or similar) in your daily workflow — including building working prototypes, agentic pipelines, RAG systems, or LLM-powered data and analytics products — is a strong asset.
- Previous experience in the consulting space is a plus
- A passion for exploring and solving different kinds of problems
- A desire to learn and assimilate technical information quickly
- Hands-on experience deploying solutions in large-scale, high performing databases
- Expertise aligned to technologies listed in Key Areas of Focus

Benefits: What you’ll gain: At Cuesta, we value entrepreneurship, humility, diversity, learning, speed, and balance. We provide our team members with:

- Constant opportunities for exposure & learning
- Flexible working location and enabling personal-life harmony with work
- Agency and influence in the company’s total strategy and direction
- Collaboration with a high-performing team
- Competitive base salary (outlined in this listing) and target bonus of 20-25%
- 401k, healthcare benefits, paid time-off, and more!

## About Cuesta Partners

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Cuesta Partners is a technology strategy consulting firm that helps mid-market organizations navigate complex transformations, from M&A and AI implementation to data strategy and core technology modernization.
- **Entity Type**: Private (bootstrapped/self-funded, no funding rounds disclosed)
- **Headquarters**: Not publicly available (remote-first organization)
- **Founded**: Not publicly available
- **Founders**: Riley Scott (quoted as founder figure on the careers page)

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Technology strategy consulting, M&A advisory, AI and data strategy
- **Target customers**: Mid-market companies, organizations of various sizes across industries (B2B, enterprise)
- **Mission**: To turn technology into a true catalyst for growth and competitive advantage, helping clients move from ambition to outcomes with clarity and speed.

## Products & Services
- **Technology Strategy**: Helping CIOs and CTOs define clear, actionable strategies aligned with business priorities, covering software systems, infrastructure, cybersecurity, operating models, and AI.
- **Data Strategy & Execution**: Building data infrastructure, governance, and analytics to turn raw data into trusted, business-ready intelligence. Includes master data management, margin analytics, and resource demand analytics.
- **AI Strategy & Execution**: Identifying high-impact AI use cases, prototyping, and scaling solutions with clear ROI, using proprietary methods to evaluate AI and data maturity.
- **Mergers & Acquisitions Advisory**: Full lifecycle support including product/tech diligence, cybersecurity, post-merger integration, and AI readiness to unlock hidden value in deals.

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed (private company)
- **Key Metric**: Not publicly available (no revenue or funding figures disclosed)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Not publicly available
- **Growth Signals**: Actively hiring for multiple remote roles (Data Engineer, Data Analyst, Engineering Manager, Technical Lead, etc.) with a focus on Latin America, indicating expansion. Client case studies show measurable results (e.g., $10K monthly labor cost reduction, $1M annual profit improvement for a $1.5B logistics provider).

## Competitive Advantages
- **Business-first, tech-smart approach**: Strategy grounded in business goals, not technology for its own sake.
- **Flat, non-hierarchical team structure**: Diversity of thought and experience; everyone teaches and learns, from newest hire to most senior.
- **Value-led delivery**: Co-creates with clients, stays engaged until value is realized, and focuses on measurable ROI.
- **Proprietary AI and data maturity evaluation methods**: Accelerates diligence and integration in M&A and transformation projects.

## Strategic Focus
- **AI readiness and implementation**: Helping clients define and scale AI strategies grounded in technical feasibility and high-value use cases.
- **Data foundation modernization**: Building scalable, cloud-ready data environments to enable real-time insight and innovation.
- **M&A value creation**: Turning acquisitions into platforms for scalable growth through deep technical and commercial diligence.
- **Expanding talent pool**: Hiring remote talent across Latin America to support growing client demand.

## Why Work Here
- **Remote-first culture**: "We’re Where You Work. Not Where You Live." Fully remote positions with a focus on work-life balance.
- **Generous PTO**: Encouraged up to 5 weeks of paid time off annually, with a minimum of 2 weeks; managers ensure time off is taken.
- **Competitive benefits**: Competitive salary, continuous education support, leading parental leave with flexible return options, full health care and ancillary insurance, plus 7 company holidays and 3 floating holidays.
- **Flat, learning-oriented culture**: Everyone is both teacher and student; autonomy to create your own path; emphasis on humility, entrepreneurship, speed, and diversity.
- **Growth opportunities**: Ability to lead and learn at every career stage; mentorship and exposure to diverse technologies and industries.

## Sources
1. [cuestapartners.com](https://www.cuestapartners.com/) – Main site overview of services and approach
2. [cuestapartners.com/about](https://www.cuestapartners.com/about-2/) – About page with mission and team structure
3. [cuestapartners.com/careers](https://www.cuestapartners.com/careers-2/) – Careers page with benefits, culture, and founder quote
4. [jobs.ashbyhq.com/cuesta-partners](https://jobs.ashbyhq.com/cuesta-partners) – Current job listings
5. [cuestapartners.rippling-ats.com](https://cuestapartners.rippling-ats.com/jobs) – Additional job listings showing remote roles in Latin America

## Other roles at Cuesta Partners

- [Senior Data Analyst | Latam](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-data-analyst-latam-cuesta-partners-latin-america-colombia-2x9hgj0ja02g) — Latin America / Colombia
- [Associate Recruiter](https://feeny.ai/job/associate-recruiter-cuesta-partners-latin-america-colombia-yp520y1wj713) — Latin America / Colombia
- [Machine Learning Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/machine-learning-engineer-cuesta-partners-latin-america-colombia-7tvkrv6f3dsg) — Latin America / Colombia
- [Databricks Architect | Canada](https://feeny.ai/job/databricks-architect-canada-cuesta-partners-canada-w9tk248evcgt) — Canada
- [Databricks Architect | Latam](https://feeny.ai/job/databricks-architect-latam-cuesta-partners-latin-america-colombia-p0xg8k16rh3e) — Latin America / Colombia
- [Databricks Architect | US](https://feeny.ai/job/databricks-architect-us-cuesta-partners-united-states-r0y42sav3530) — United States
- [Data Architect | Canada](https://feeny.ai/job/data-architect-canada-cuesta-partners-canada-pjnzhczkgjj0) — Canada
- [Principal | Technology Due Diligence & Private Equity](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-technology-due-diligence-private-equity-cuesta-partners-chicago-0p5gjcxzy9c0) — Chicago, IL
- [Manager/Sr. Manager - M&A Technical Due Diligence](https://feeny.ai/job/manager-sr-manager-m-a-technical-due-diligence-cuesta-partners-united-states-jmph7ht0zgnj) — United States
- [Analytics Engineer | CA](https://feeny.ai/job/analytics-engineer-ca-cuesta-partners-canada-9d972twww6bn) — Canada