Associate, Data Engineer

Cresset; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

401(k) plan

HSA (Health Savings Account)

Disability insurance

Parking

Job summary

Cresset is seeking a highly skilled Data/Backend Engineer to advance our data platform in AWS, Databricks, and Snowflake. You will build APIs, data integrations, and AI-ready pipelines supporting BI and AI-driven experiences across the firm.

Ideal candidates have 2+ years in data engineering, strong Python, SQL, and hands-on AI tooling. You will work with senior engineers and business partners to deliver robust data services in a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, or similar.
• 2+ years in data engineering, backend/integration engineering, or similar roles.
• Strong Python production-quality scripting, services, or APIs.
• SQL proficiency.
• Experience with Snowflake, Databricks, AWS, and Matillion.
• Experience with messaging/event-driven architectures (Kafka, SQS/SNS) preferred.
• Hands-on AI tooling experience, e.g., LLM integrations or retrieval/augmentation pipelines.
• Structured and unstructured data expertise.
• Excellent communication and collaboration with leadership.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain the Cresset Data Warehouse and data platform.
• Design, build, and maintain APIs and messaging services for data exposure to apps, partners, and AI experiences.
• Build and maintain AI infrastructure and integration layer for AI-powered experiences.
• Ingest data from multiple sources via vendor APIs, streams, and batch processes.
• Improve performance and reliability of data services through modeling, tuning, and automation.
• Collaborate with engineers and partners to deliver data and integration requests.
• Contribute to API documentation, versioning, and data contracts for internal consumers.
• Present data clearly to enable dashboards and reporting.

Skills

Python

SQL

API integration

Data modeling

AI tooling

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering

Tools

Snowflake

Databricks

AWS

Matillion

Kafka/Confluent

Job description

Cresset is a firm built by clients, for clients. As an independent, award-winning multi-family office and private investment firm, we are reimagining the way wealth is experienced. Our purpose is to help ensure that both wealth and life are fully optimized—integrated, intentional, and aligned with each client’s vision of success.

We provide access to the caliber of talent, ideas, and investment opportunities typically available to the largest single-family offices and institutions. Our approach is personalized, entrepreneurial, and client-first.

Proudly owned by our clients and employees, Cresset was built to endure. We are creating a 100+ year firm—one focused on delivering an exceptional experience, not only for the families we serve but for the team that serves them. Recognized by Barron’s and Forbes among the nation’s top RIA firms, and as one of the industry’s best places to work,* Cresset is guided by long-term relationships, shared success, and a belief that wealth should serve a life well lived.

As part of the technology team, you will report to the Managing Director, Head of Investment and Data Technology, and work closely with our Senior Data Engineer focused on integrations and AI. You will help develop and maintain Cresset's data platforms in AWS, Databricks, and Snowflake, with a particular focus on building out the API and messaging layer that exposes our data to applications and AI-driven experiences.

You will work with systems of record to build and maintain data integrations into the data platforms and help design and implement the services that make that data available to consumers across the firm — including our BI platform, application integrations, and emerging AI use cases. You will collaborate with senior engineers, business partners, and department heads to assess data and integration requirements and deliver robust, well-designed data services. The right candidate is highly proficient in Python, experienced in building and consuming APIs, and has hands‑on exposure to AI tooling and the infrastructure that supports it.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in the development of the Cresset Data Warehouse and broader data platform.
• Design, build, and maintain APIs and messaging/event-driven services that expose platform data to downstream applications, partners, and AI experiences.
• Assist in building and maintaining AI infrastructure and the integration layer connecting our data platform to AI-powered experiences (e.g., LLM integrations, retrieval pipelines, agentic workflows).
• Acquire and integrate data from multiple sources and systems — via vendor APIs, event streams, and batch processes — for analytics and application use.
• Improve the performance and reliability of data services and queries through data modeling, tuning, and automation.
• Collaborate with senior engineers and business partners to prioritize and deliver against data and integration requests.
• Contribute to API documentation, versioning, and data contracts so internal consumers can reliably build on our data services.
• Present data in a clear and concise manner, allowing power users to easily create their own dashboards and reports.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, or similar.
• 2+ years of experience in data engineering, backend/integration engineering, or similar roles involving multiple IT systems.
• Strong proficiency in Python required, including experience building production-quality scripts, services, or APIs.
• Ability to code in SQL required.
• Experience working with Snowflake, Databricks, AWS, and Matillion required.
• Experience with messaging and event-driven architectures (e.g., AWS SQS/SNS, Confluent, Kafka, or similar) preferred.
• Proficiency in building and consuming API integrations (REST, webhooks), including reading vendor API documentation and staying current with tech stack updates and advancements.
• Hands‑on experience working with AI technologies required — e.g., integrating LLM APIs, standing up supporting infrastructure, or building retrieval/RAG pipelines that connect data to AI experiences.
• Structured and unstructured data expertise.
• Strong analytical experience and understanding of technology processes for information and data.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to present technical work to senior leadership.
• Self‑motivated and detail oriented.
• Knowledge of the RIA industry or related financial services is preferred.

What We Offer:

At Cresset, we focus on people first. As a service business, our people are our assets. Engaging our clients and employees is our highest priority. Salary will be based on factors including, but not limited to, experience, licenses/certifications, industry knowledge, and geographic location. Cresset offers a competitive compensation package including an annual incentive and a benefits package to all full‑time employees including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401(k) retirement plan, health savings accounts, short and long‑term disability insurance, voluntary critical and accident insurance, and pre‑tax parking and transportation programs.

It is the policy of Cresset to ensure equal employment opportunity (EEO) for all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, or related conditions), national origin or ancestry, age, disability, veteran status, uniformed servicemember status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a parent, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. It is Cresset’s policy to comply with applicable laws concerning the employment of persons with disabilities, including reasonable accommodation for applicants and employees with disabilities.

Everything Starts With Culture.

Our Vision

We exist to optimize wealth and elevate life—giving clients the time, clarity, and trusted partnership to pursue what matters most.

*Disclosures related to awards, recognitions, and rankings available here.

Cresset refers to Cresset Capital Management, and all its respective subsidiaries and affiliates. Cresset Asset Management, LLC, also conducts advisory business under the names of Cresset Sports & Entertainment, CH Investment Partners, and Cresset Capital. Cresset provides investment advisory, family office, and other services to individuals, families, and institutional clients. Cresset also provides investment advisory services to investment vehicles investing in private equity, real estate, and other investment opportunities. Cresset Asset Management, LLC is an SEC registered investment advisor. SEC registration does not imply any specific level of skill or training.