Data Engineer

Atlas Air; Erlanger (KY); On-site; USD 74,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Atlas Air Worldwide is seeking a Data Engineer to join the Data Platform and Engineering team. This early-career IC role focuses on delivering well-defined data solutions, building reliable pipelines, and growing ownership under guidance.

You will work with Databricks, Spark, and cloud services to support analytics, data science, and operational decision-making while aligning with established architectures and standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering or related field, or equivalent practical experience.
• Minimum 1 year of professional experience in data engineering, software engineering, analytics engineering, or related field.
• Working proficiency in SQL and at least one general-purpose programming language (e.g., Python, TypeScript, Rust, Java, C++, etc.).
• Experience building or supporting data pipelines, transformations, or data models in professional, internship, academic, or project settings.
• Familiarity with ETL/ELT, relational data modeling, data quality testing, and pipeline orchestration.
• Experience with Git-based development practices and understanding of code reviews, automated testing, and deployment workflows.
• Ability to troubleshoot technical issues, communicate clearly, and collaborate with technical/non-technical partners.

Responsibilities

• Build, test, deploy, and maintain batch and streaming data pipelines using established patterns and frameworks.
• Develop data transformations that create accurate, documented datasets.
• Implement data models and data products based on business requirements and designs.
• Use Databricks, Spark, orchestration tools, and cloud services with guidance from seniors.
• Participate in code reviews and improve code quality, maintainability, and performance.

Skills

SQL

Python

Java

C++

Git

Data pipelines

ETL/ELT

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering or related field

Tools

Databricks

Apache Spark

dbt

Airflow

Dagster

AWS/Azure/GCP

Job description

Join Atlas Air Worldwide. Move the World with Us!

At Atlas Air Worldwide, we're not just an airline, we're a global engine powering cargo, passenger, and leasing operations across more than 70 countries. As a leader in outsourced aviation logistics, we're built on a foundation of safety, service excellence, integrity, innovation, teamwork, and responsibility. With over 30 years of history, a modern all-Boeing fleet, and nearly 5,000 teammates collaborating across operations, technical, and corporate functions, we're driven by purpose.

If you're ready to grow, innovate, and help us deliver excellence every single day, you belong here.

Position Summary

Atlas Air is seeking a Data Engineer to join our Data Platform and Engineering team. This is an early-career individual contributor role for an engineer who can deliver well-defined data solutions with guidance, build strong engineering fundamentals, and grow ownership over increasingly complex work.

As we continue to build our data environment on Databricks, you will help build and operate reliable data pipelines, transformations, and data models. You will work within established architecture and standards, partner with more experienced engineers, and author production-quality code that supports analytics, data science, AI/ML, and operational decision-making.

Major Accountabilities

Data Pipeline Development

• Build, test, deploy, and maintain batch and streaming data pipelines for structured and semi-structured data sources using established patterns and frameworks.
• Develop data transformations that convert source data into accurate, documented, and reusable datasets.
• Implement data models and data products based on defined business requirements and technical designs.
• Use Databricks, Spark, orchestration tools, and cloud services to complete scoped engineering work with support from senior team members.
• Participate in code reviews and incorporate feedback to improve code quality, maintainability, and performance.

Data Quality & Operations

• Create automated tests, validation checks, logging, and monitoring the pipelines and datasets you develop.
• Investigate data quality, reliability, and performance issues; resolve routine issues independently and elevate broader problems appropriately.
• Produce clear technical documentation, including data definitions, lineage, runbooks, and support notes.
• Participate in the team's on-call and incident response practices, with appropriate guidance and escalation support.
• Follow established security, privacy, governance, and access control requirements.

Collaboration & Growth

• Work with Data Analytics, Data Science, Software Engineering, IT, Security, and business partners to clarify requirements and deliver fit-for-purpose solutions.
• Break defined requirements into engineering tasks, communicate progress and risks, and deliver work within agreed timelines.
• Contribute to team standards for source control, testing, CI/CD, documentation, and operational readiness.
• Learn the Atlas Air business domain and use that understanding to improve the usefulness and reliability of data products.
• Seek feedback, share knowledge, and progressively take ownership of larger components and less-defined problems.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or a related quantitative field; or equivalent practical experience.
• Minimum 1 year of professional experience in data engineering, software engineering, analytics engineering, or a closely related field.
• Working proficiency in SQL and at least one general-purpose programming language (e.g., Python, TypeScript, Rust, Java, C++, etc.).
• Experience building or supporting data pipelines, transformations, or data models in a professional, internship, academic, or substantial project setting.
• Familiarity with core data engineering concepts, including ETL/ELT, relational data modeling, data quality testing, and pipeline orchestration.
• Experience with Git-based development practices and an understanding of code review, automated testing, and deployment workflows.
• Ability to troubleshoot technical issues methodically, communicate clearly, and collaborate effectively with technical and non-technical partners.

Desired Qualifications

• Hands-on exposure to Databricks, Apache Spark, or another distributed data-processing platform.
• Experience with dbt or a similar transformation framework and an orchestration tool such as Airflow, Prefect, or Dagster.
• Familiarity with one major cloud platform and its data services: AWS, Azure, or GCP.
• Exposure to streaming or event-driven technologies such as Kafka, Kinesis, Spark Structured Streaming, or Flink.
• Familiarity with BI, data science, or machine learning workflows and the data products that support them.
• Experience in aviation, transportation, logistics, or another operationally complex industry.

Legal & Compensation

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship or employer immigration support either now or in the future.

The Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to afford equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, citizenship, place of birth, age, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable in accordance with federal, state and local laws.

If you'd like more information about your EEO rights as an applicant under the law, please download the available EEO is the Law document: EEO Is The Law.

To view our Pay Transparency Statement, please click here: Pay Transparency Statement.

Competitive compensation will be offered based on a variety of factors, including a candidate's experience, skills, education, geographic location, internal equity and other factors. In addition, a range of benefits to include medical, dental and vision insurance, employee assistance program, as well as generous paid time off, and 401K contributions are offered as a part of the total compensation package.

Pay Range $73,500 — $99,500 USD

At Atlas Air Worldwide, we believe in the power of people, the promise of innovation, and the responsibility we hold to each other, to our customers, and to the planet. Join us and be part of a team that lifts more than cargo; we lift ambition.