Data Platform Engineer — AI-Ready Analytics (Hybrid, Ames)

IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION; Ames (IA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Iowa State University Foundation is seeking a collaborative data engineer to join our Data Services team in Ames. The role focuses on turning data from multiple sources into reliable, analytics-ready information for reporting, donor engagement, and AI-supported workflows.

The ideal candidate will have strong SQL, data modeling, and cloud data platform experience, plus the ability to explain technical topics in business terms and work across teams in a hybrid work setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, MIS, data analytics, or related field; equivalent practical experience considered.
• 6-7 years in data engineering, analytics engineering, or BI development with SQL development and data transformations.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and organize data for AI-supported tools, reporting, and workflows.
• Collaborate on AI pilot projects with human review and data quality controls.
• Design, build, and maintain datasets on the cloud data platform for analytics-ready information.
• Develop and improve SQL-based data transformations for accurate results.
• Move data in and out of the platform to support systems and engagement tools.
• Investigate and resolve data quality, reconciliation, and source-system issues.
• Provide responsive data-user support and document procedures.
• Stay current on data tools and cloud platform capabilities.

Skills

SQL development

Relational data modeling

ETL/ELT transformations

AI/LLMs understanding

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Confidentiality

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, MIS, Data Analytics, or related field

Tools

Cloud data platforms

Managed data ingestion tools

SQL tooling

Job description

The Iowa State University Foundation is seeking a collaborative data engineer to join our Data Services team in Ames. The role focuses on turning data from multiple sources into reliable, analytics-ready information for reporting, donor engagement, and AI-supported workflows.

The ideal candidate will have strong SQL, data modeling, and cloud data platform experience, plus the ability to explain technical topics in business terms and work across teams in a hybrid work setting.