Data Engineer

SUMMARY:

The Data Engineer supports the Foundation's data, reporting, and analytics ecosystem by implementing scalable, high-quality data solutions under the direction of the Senior Data Engineers. This role contributes to the development and maintenance of the Foundation's data warehouse, ETL/ELT pipelines, data models, and data quality frameworks to ensure trusted, timely data for fundraising, financial, and operational decisions. The Data Engineer plays a critical role in supporting enterprise reporting and business intelligence needs — including Power BI and Alteryx-based solutions — serving internal and external customers such as University Advancement and the Foundation's accounting team. Strong technical skills are essential, as is the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, translate data findings into actionable insights, and uphold the quality and integrity of Foundation data.

BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS:

• Follows the principles of the Foundation’s core values:

1. Trust
2. Respect
3. Integrity
4. Commitment

• Motivated to value-add to the success of the Foundation
• Effective communicator
• Collaborative
• Dependable
• Detail-oriented
• Adaptable, receptive to change
• Teach through example and service
• Practice professional curiosity and desire to learn
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with a diverse constituency
• Maintain confidentiality
• Work safely  

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Data Engineering & Pipeline Development

• Implement, maintain, and optimize scalable ETL/ELT pipelines and data warehouse structures – including tables, views, stored procedures, and functions – producing clean, version-controlled, replicable code; troubleshoot and resolve pipeline failures, data discrepancies, and performance bottlenecks 

Reporting & Analytics Support

• Build and maintain reports, dashboards, datasets, views, and queries using Power BI and other enterprise reporting tools, delivering accurate and timely data insights to internal and external customers including the AAR team and the Foundation's accounting function
• Utilize Alteryx for data preparation, transformation, and workflow automation; support and write structured code for additional enterprise reporting platforms including Microsoft SSRS, Salesforce, and related tools

Data Quality & Governance

• Implement and maintain data quality checks, validation routines, and exception handling to ensure accuracy, completeness, and consistency of data across systems
• Implement Foundation data security policies, compliance standards, and define data assets and models to populate data structures
• Write, revise, and maintain program documentation, operational documentation, data models, and data flow documentation in accordance with Foundation standards

Database & Platform Management

• Support relational database environments (Oracle, SQL Server, Postgres, Microsoft Fabric), including performance optimization, indexing, and access management
• Execute system tests to ensure business continuity and successful code releases; unit test new or modified applications and participate in code reviews

Collaboration & Stakeholder Support

• Collaborate closely with the Senior Data Engineers, receiving technical guidance and implementing solutions based on established designs; support the Senior Data Engineers’ engagement with the Advancement Analytics & Reporting (AAR) team by implementing data warehouse structures, pipelines, and reporting datasets per AAR requirements; coordinate work through Jira
• Support the Foundation's accounting function by building and maintaining Power BI and Alteryx-based reporting solutions, with particular focus on the Foundation's transition to NetSuite as its enterprise accounting platform
• Collaborate with analytics, financial services, IT, university departments, and external partners to improve data models and increase data accessibility; contribute to project evaluations and improvement plans; engage actively in continuing education and staff meetings

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Other duties as assigned

COMPETENCIES AND EXPERIENCE:

• Typically requires a bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field, or 3 years of professional experience in data engineering or database development; equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered
• Experience with database application programming using Oracle, SQL Server, Microsoft Fabric, and/or Postgres
• Considerable experience in SQL, schema design, and dimensional data modeling
• Experience designing, building, and maintaining data processing systems and ETL/ELT pipelines
• Experience with Salesforce required
• Experience working with large data sets, including programmatic manipulation and transformation
• Some experience with data lineage, data governance, and quality framework design
• A meticulous commitment to the quality and integrity of data presented to the business
• Strong communication skills; ability to communicate technical concepts to non-technical audiences
• Strong analytical skills and ability to translate business needs into technical solutions
• Demonstrated ability to manage data quality processes and performance tuning
• Must be organized to effectively manage multiple projects and shifting priorities
• Maintain confidentiality as required and appropriate
• Customer service mindset

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience with Power BI for reporting and dashboard development
• Experience with Alteryx for data preparation and workflow automation
• Experience with NetSuite or similar enterprise accounting/ERP systems
• Experience using GitHub or similar tools for version control 
• Experience with Evergreen (Salesforce with Advancement RM) or similar fundraising CRM managed packages
• Understanding of fundraising, advancement, and accounting/finance data
• Experience supporting analytics and reporting environments

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• This job is conducted in an office work environment, sitting most of the time
• This position’s duties require use of a computer
• Must be able to exert up to 20 lbs. of force occasionally
• Some travel may be required