Data Engineering Leader, Workforce Benefits

Pacific Life Insurance Company; United States; On-site; USD 152,000 - 186,000; Full time

Job summary

Pacific Life is seeking a Data Engineering Leader to join the Workforce Benefits Team in Newport Beach, CA. The role owns strategy, lifecycle, delivery, and operational performance of Workforce Benefits Division (WBD) data products, leading a team of engineers and analysts to build secure, scalable pipelines, data marts, and real-time data solutions.

Reporting to the Head of Data Engineering, you will translate stakeholder needs into prioritized agile backlogs, provide technical direction, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related field; master's degree preferred.
• 10+ years experience delivering enterprise data products, data warehouses, data integrations, and enterprise data architecture.
• 5+ years leading a data engineering team at the Director level or equivalent, including people leadership, resource planning, and budget accountability.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience with data warehouses, advanced analytics, and cloud-based data engineering.
• Demonstrated experience with agile product ownership, backlog management, technical requirements, delivery metrics, and cross-functional stakeholder leadership.

Responsibilities

• Own the vision, roadmap, lifecycle, and delivery of WBD data products; partner with business and technology stakeholders to define outcomes, prioritize demand, and align data investments with business goals.
• Translate stakeholder requirements into delivery plans and sequenced product backlogs; lead Agile execution, capacity planning, metrics, and continuous improvement.
• Provide technical leadership for the architecture, design, implementation, and optimization of secure, scalable data pipelines, integrated and published data marts, and real-time data solutions.
• Ensure data quality, security, privacy, and governance standards are embedded throughout delivery, including controls for protected health information and HIPAA-regulated data.
• Lead day-to-day execution and operational support, including release readiness, quality assurance, production support, root-cause resolution, enhancements, and delivery against scope, schedule, and budget.
• Build and lead a high-performing team through recruiting, coaching, development, and performance management for employees.
• Establish and monitor KPIs for data-product delivery, quality, and business value; use results to manage priorities, risks, resources, and service improvements.
• Manage and forecast department, project, software, contractor, and vendor expenses.
• Oversee vendor service agreements, staff augmentation, and technology contracts as assigned.
• Serve as a trusted partner and subject-matter expert across WBD functions, analytics and reporting, data architecture, data governance, and corporate technology teams.
• Provide technical support outside standard business hours when required for planned releases or critical production issues, and travel up to 25% for planning, leadership, and technology meetings.

Skills

SQL

Python

Data warehousing

Data engineering

Agile product ownership

Leadership

Stakeholder collaboration

Cloud architecture

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Snowflake

dbt

Job description

Job Description: Providing for loved ones, planning rewarding retirements, saving enough for whatever lies ahead - our policyholders count on us to be there when it matters most. It’s a big ask, but it’s one that we have the power to deliver when we work together. We collaborate and innovate - pushing one another to transform not just Pacific Life, but the entire industry for the better. Why? Because it’s the right thing to do. Pacific Life is more than a job, it’s a career with purpose. It’s a career where you have the support, balance, and resources to make a positive impact on the future - including your own. We’re actively seeking a talented Data Engineering Leader to join our Workforce Benefits Team in Newport Beach, CA. Reporting to the Head of Data Engineering, the Data Engineering Leader owns the strategy, lifecycle, delivery, and operational performance of Workforce Benefits Division (WBD) data products. The role leads a team of data engineers and analysts to build secure, scalable data pipelines, infrastructure, models, marts, and real-time data solutions that support reporting, analytics, operations, and business decision-making. This leader translates stakeholder needs and data strategy into prioritized agile backlogs, provides technical direction, and partners across business, technology, architecture, governance, and vendor teams to deliver trusted data products aligned with business goals.

How you’ll help move us forward:

• Own the vision, roadmap, lifecycle, and delivery of WBD data products; partner with business and technology stakeholders to define outcomes, prioritize demand, and align data investments with business goals.
• Translate stakeholder requirements into delivery plans and sequenced product backlogs; lead Agile execution, capacity planning, metrics, and continuous improvement.
• Provide technical leadership for the architecture, design, implementation, and optimization of secure, scalable data pipelines, integrated and published data marts, and real-time data solutions.
• Ensure data quality, security, privacy, and governance standards are embedded throughout delivery, including controls for protected health information and HIPAA-regulated data.
• Lead day-to-day execution and operational support, including release readiness, quality assurance, production support, root-cause resolution, enhancements, and delivery against scope, schedule, and budget.
• Build and lead a high-performing team through recruiting, coaching, development, and performance management for employees.
• Establish and monitor KPIs for data-product delivery, quality, and business value; use results to manage priorities, risks, resources, and service improvements.
• Manage and forecast department, project, software, contractor, and vendor expenses.
• Oversee vendor service agreements, staff augmentation, and technology contracts as assigned.
• Serve as a trusted partner and subject-matter expert across WBD functions, analytics and reporting, data architecture, data governance, and corporate technology teams.
• Provide technical support outside standard business hours when required for planned releases or critical production issues, and travel up to 25% for planning, leadership, and technology meetings.

The experience you bring:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related field; master's degree preferred.
• 10+ years of experience delivering enterprise data products, data warehouses, data integrations, and enterprise data architecture.
• 5+ years leading a data engineering team at the Director level or equivalent, including people leadership, resource planning, and budget accountability.
• 5+ years of hands-on experience with data warehouses, advanced analytics, and cloud-based data engineering.
• Demonstrated experience with agile product ownership, backlog management, technical requirements, delivery metrics, and cross-functional stakeholder leadership.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficiency in SQL and Python and experience with semantic layers, ontology, and reference data management.
• Experience with the latest data management and orchestration technologies including Snowflake and dbt.
• Experience with RESTful APIs, event-driven integration, and microservices administration platforms.
• Experience in insurance data domains such as Distribution, Product, Underwriting, Enrollment, Finance, Billing, and Claims.

$152,370.00 - $186,230.00

Your Benefits Start Day 1

• Prioritization of your health and well-being including Medical, Dental, Vision, and Wellbeing Reimbursement Account that can be used on yourself or your eligible dependents
• Generous paid time off options including: Paid Time Off, Holiday Schedules, and Financial Planning Time Off
• Paid Parental Leave as well as an Adoption Assistance Program
• Competitive 401k savings plan with company match and an additional contribution regardless of participation

We support all employees to thrive and achieve their fullest potential.

You Can Be Who You Are

We are committed to a culture of diversity and inclusion that embraces the authenticity of all employees, partners and communities.

What’s life like at Pacific Life?

Visit Instagram.com/lifeatpacificlife

EEO Statement:

Pacific Life Insurance Company is an Equal Opportunity /Affirmative Action Employer, M/F/D/V. If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our career center as a result of your disability. To request an accommodation, contact a Human Resources Representative at Pacific Life Insurance Company.

Pacific Life is more than a job - it's a career with purpose. For nearly 160 years, we've helped people protect their financial futures through strength, stability, and innovation. Join us to make a meaningful impact and build a career where you can thrive.

Learn more.

Pacific Life's success is driven by our people. We create, embrace and sustain an inclusive workplace where all employees are respected and supported throughout their career. Our values inspire and direct our actions shaping the vibrant culture we proudly uphold.

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