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Consulting Data Architect - Microsoft Fabric

CDW · IL · Remote available · $128,000–$193,200 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 14, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a proof of concept that you took to production. What did you have to add that the demo did not need?

What they are checking: Whether they understand the gap between a prototype and a supportable production solution.

Tell me about a business case you created for a data or AI solution. What made it convincing?

What they are checking: Whether they can justify solutions financially for customer decision makers.

How do you lead project teams across multiple geographies and time zones?

What they are checking: Whether they can coordinate distributed teams on complex engagements.

What would you do

A client's RAG prototype gives confident but wrong answers. How do you diagnose it?

What they are checking: Whether they know where RAG systems fail, from chunking and retrieval to prompts and grounding.

A client wants Copilot in Power BI but their data model is messy. What do you advise?

What they are checking: Whether they give honest advice that the foundation must be ready before AI adds value.

How would you enable a client's team to own and run the solution after we leave?

What they are checking: Whether they plan for knowledge transfer and client enablement, not just delivery.

About the work

Walk me through a Microsoft Fabric architecture you designed. How did you use OneLake and decide between a lakehouse and a warehouse?

What they are checking: Whether they have real design experience in Fabric and understand its core choices.

How would you build a retrieval-augmented generation solution on a client's data using Azure AI services?

What they are checking: Practical depth in RAG, embeddings and vector search, which the posting leads with.

How do you set up governance in Fabric so business users can self-serve in Power BI without creating chaos?

What they are checking: Whether they balance enablement with security, lineage and data ownership.

How do you handle real-time analytics needs in Fabric compared with batch reporting?

What they are checking: Whether they know when real-time is worth the complexity and how Fabric supports it.

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The full job description

As published by CDW.

The Consulting Data Architect makes innovative contributions to new solution/product design and implementation, based on understanding of applicable technology and how it can be applied to solution design, considerations of system-wide impact and business issues for clients. Provides technical expertise in analyzing client’s requirements to develop services offerings across multiple technology solutions that provide significant value. This role also leads practical delivery of Microsoft Fabric, Azure AI, Power BI, and Generative AI solutions, including solution design, prototyping, implementation readiness, governance, and client enablement. Supports complex engagements across multiple geographies. What you will do • Design and deliver Microsoft Fabric architectures that incorporate OneLake, Power BI, data engineering, real-time analytics, Copilot experiences, Azure AI services, and Generative AI solution patterns. • Lead development of practical AI-enabled solution patterns, including retrieval-augmented generation, vector search, embedding pipelines, prompt orchestration, semantic search, and AI-enabled analytics workflows. • Build and validate proofs of concept, prototypes, reusable accelerators, reference architectures, and implementation templates that help move data and AI solutions from concept to production-ready outcomes. • Lead project teams, directing coworker and client teams in solution design and development. • Provide leadership in creating business cases, financial justification and solution benefit content for customer ready deliverables and presentations. • Aggregate oversight of technical solutions across multiple projects to ensure synergy in our approach and broad visibility to the solutions delivery team • Proactively addresses or escalates any budget issues that are identified during the project. • Quality Assurance for SOW requests that meet triggers for size, cross brand, and complexity. Perform peer review of deliverables from other team members for technical content to ensure accuracy. • Maintain client relationships as a trusted Technical Advisor. Serve as focal point for communications between multiple departments and clients, when necessary, using experience and judgment to communicate effectively to all parties. Recommend solutions supporting client account teams with development of proposals, quotations, and presentations. What we expect of you • Bachelor’s degree and 7+ years of IT Infrastructure experience, including 3 years of experience with large enterprise cross-brand projects OR 11+ years of IT Infrastructure experience, including 3 years of experience with large enterprise cross-brand projects. Experience should include enterprise data platform implementation, analytics, AI-enabled solution delivery, or Microsoft Fabric-focused consulting delivery. • Demonstrated hands-on experience designing, building, implementing, troubleshooting, and optimizing Microsoft Fabric solutions, including Data Engineering, Data Factory, OneLake, Direct Lake, semantic models, pipelines, notebooks, and Power BI. • Practical experience with Generative AI capabilities such as Azure OpenAI, Azure AI Search, Copilot, retrieval-augmented generation, embeddings, prompt engineering, grounding patterns, and AI service integration. • Strong data engineering and implementation skills, including SQL, Python, Spark or PySpark, modern ELT patterns, CI/CD practices, and the ability to configure, test, and optimize solutions directly in the platform. • Ability to define and apply data governance, AI governance, security, and responsible AI controls, including RBAC, data classification, auditability, sensitivity labeling, prompt protection, content safety, and secure handling of sensitive data. • The candidate will be expected to maintain client relationships as a trusted Technical Advisor and serve as the focal point for communications between multiple departments and clients when necessary. They should be able to take a lead technical role in reviewing and editing deliverables produced by other Engineering and Consulting teams. • Provide technical expertise in analyzing client’s requirements to develop IT services offerings across multiple technology solutions. Should also be able to recommend solutions and support internal account teams with the development of proposals, quotations, and presentations. • Excellent written, presentation, and verbal communication skills are required, including demonstrated experience presenting technology recommendations from a business perspective to internal and external clients. • Proven ability to research advanced and complex technology solutions, evaluate alternatives, make recommendations, and present materials to clients in a manner that meets clients’ needs. Must be able to act calmly and productively when confronted with change, ambiguity, and risk, and deal constructively with problems that do not have clear solutions or outcomes. • Demonstrated experience applying lessons learned to unique problems and a history of reskilling on new technologies with the ability to determine benefits for clients. • Should have the ability and willingness to travel as needed to other CDW locations or client sites. • A valid U.S. driver’s license is required. Pay range: $128,000 - $193,200 depending on experience and skill set Annual bonus target of 10% subject to terms and conditions of plan Benefits overview: https://cdw.benefit-info.com/ Salary ranges may be subject to geographic differentials CDW is committed to being an AI-fluent organization We’re looking for people who bring curiosity, a learner’s mindset, and a willingness to engage with ever-evolving technology and tools. We value adopting AI as a partner, openness to experimentation, and a shared interest in learning together on AI. Our goal is to create a culture where AI enhances—not replaces—human creativity and decision-making. You don’t need to be an expert today; what matters is your readiness to explore, adapt, and grow with us as we integrate AI responsibly and effectively into our work. Additionally, CDW is committed to fostering an equitable, transparent, and respectful hiring process for all applicants. During our application process, our goal is to understand your experience, strengths, skills, and qualifications. As an AI forward company, we see AI not just as a tool, but as a catalyst for new ways of thinking, creating, and communicating. We encourage candidates to embrace an AI mindset, one that’s curious, adaptive, and ready to explore what’s possible. We welcome thoughtful use of AI to expand your perspective and elevate how you share your story, while ensuring your application remains rooted in your own background, judgment, and voice. About Us CDW is a Fortune 500 technology solutions provider that helps businesses, government, education, and healthcare organizations achieve what’s possible through technology. What makes CDW different isn’t just what we do—it’s how we do it. At CDW we act as one—building trust, speaking candidly, and working together to achieve more. We play to win—focusing on what matters most and delivering for our customers. And we think forward—staying curious, moving fast, and continuously learning. We believe meaningful work happens when people feel supported, heard, and empowered to contribute. That’s why we think of ourselves as coworkers, not just employees—working together to solve complex challenges and deliver real impact for our customers and communities. As a full‑stack, full‑lifecycle technology partner, CDW brings deep expertise, strong relationships, and broad industry knowledge to help turn ideas into outcomes. When you join CDW, you become part of a collaborative environment where your work matters, your growth is supported, and your contributions help shape what’s next. Together, we deliver the full promise of what technology can do. Together, we Make Amazing Happen. CDW is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other basis prohibited by state and local law.

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