Data Steward II

Vytran LLC; Newton (NJ); Hybrid; USD 67,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision insurance

Company paid life insurance

Generous PTO package

401(k) plan

Job summary

Thorlabs is seeking a Data Steward to improve trust, quality, and usability of enterprise data across the analytics ecosystem. You will define business terms, maintain data lineage, and partner with Data Engineers, Analysts, and business stakeholders to remediate issues and standardize definitions.

Location in Newton, NJ with occasional travel to other Thorlabs sites. The role emphasizes strong communication, organization, and collaboration within the Enterprise Data Management team to enable

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in data stewardship, governance, or related analytics roles.
• Hands-on SQL for tracing data lineage and validating business rules.
• Experience with Azure data platforms (Azure Synapse, ADLS) and Power BI.
• Ability to establish glossaries/definitions and manage data quality with stakeholders.
• Strong facilitation, communication, and cross‑functional collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Define and maintain business glossary entries and critical data elements (CDEs).
• Establish data quality rules and monitor dashboards; drive remediation with data owners.
• Maintain end-to-end data lineage and metadata from D365 through Synapse and into Power BI.
• Operate issue intake and triage using Azure DevOps; set priorities and SLAs.
• Review schema changes and publish change communications to stakeholders.
• Coordinate dataset certification and sensitivity labeling in partnership with IT/InfoSec.
• Support user acceptance testing for models and reports; develop data guides and training.
• Compile stewardship health metrics and present to leadership.

Skills

Data governance

SQL

Azure data platforms

Power BI

Glossary definitions

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems or related field

Tools

Azure Synapse

ADLS

Microsoft Purview

Azure DevOps

Job description

At Thorlabs, we design and manufacture components, instruments, and systems that transform the world by identifying, enabling, and accelerating key photonics (i.e., light-based) technologies. Backed by a dedicated workforce of more than 3,000 employees worldwide, Thorlabscontributes to cutting-edge research and real-world innovation.

Whether you're early in your career or bringing years of experience, you’ll find opportunities to grow, take ownership, and make meaningful contributions from day one. We know every employee brings unique talents and perspectives that fuel our success, and we seek driven individuals who are excited to make an impact in a fun, fast-moving culture.

The Data Steward improves the trust, quality, and usability of enterprise data across Thorlabs’ analytics ecosystem, including Dynamics 365, Azure Synapse, ADLS, and Power BI. This role is responsible for defining and maintaining business terms and critical data elements, documenting data lineage, establishing and monitoring data quality rules, and partnering with Data Engineers, Data Analysts, and business subject-matter experts to remediate issues and standardize definitions.

The Data Steward drives consistent understanding of KPIs and calculations, supports change governance, and communicates impacts to stakeholders so data-driven decisions can be made with confidence. Success in this role requires strong communication, organization, and collaboration across the Enterprise Data Management team and business partners.

Although the location of the position is in Newton, NJ, from time to time it may be required to undertake duties at other Thorlabs locations.

• This position may have access to ITAR related information. As a condition of employment for this position, the successful candidate must be able to submit documentation establishing U.S. Person status (e.g. a U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, Lawful Permanent Resident, Workers granted Refugee status, or Workers granted Asylum) upon hire.

Essential Job Functions include the following, but are not limited to:

• Define and maintain business glossary entries and critical data elements (CDEs) for prioritized domains (Purchasing, Production, Sales, Inventory, Finance, Quality, etc.).
• Establish data quality rules (completeness, validity, uniqueness, timeliness), coordinate technical implementation, monitor dashboards, and drive root-cause analysis and remediation with data owners.
• Maintain end-to-end data lineage and metadata from D365 through Synapse (serverless/dedicated) and into Power BI datasets and reports, using tools such as Microsoft Purview.
• Operate the data issue intake and triage process through Azure DevOps; define priorities, SLAs, track remediation progress, and validate fixes.
• Review changes to schemas, transformations, and business logic; assess downstream impacts; update definitions; and publish change communications to stakeholders.
• Coordinate dataset certification and endorsement processes; assist with sensitivity labelling and data protection requirements in partnership with IT/InfoSec.
• Support user acceptance testing for models and reports; develop user documentation, data guides, and training materials to support adoption.
• Compile and present stewardship health metrics - data quality trends, issue MTTR, risks, and resolved items - to leadership.

In addition to the essential functions and duties listed above, all positions are also responsible for:

• Meeting company standards pertaining to quantity and quality of work performed on an ongoing basis, performing all work related tasks in a manner that is in compliance with all Company policies and procedures.
• Adhering to Company policies, procedures, and directives regarding standards of workplace behavior in completing job duties and assignments.

The Company retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position.

Physical Activities: This is largely a sedentary role; however, some filing is required. This may include lifting files, opening cabinets, bending, or standing as necessary.

Experience:

• 5+ years of experience in data stewardship, data governance, data management, or closely related analytics roles.
• Hands-on SQL experience for tracing data lineage and validating business rules.
• Practical experience with Azure data platforms (Azure Synapse, ADLS) and Power BI (datasets, lineage, endorsement workflows).
• Demonstrated ability to establish glossaries and definitions and to manage structured data quality and issue remediation processes with business stakeholders.
• Strong facilitation, communication, and stakeholder-engagement skills across technical and non-technical audiences.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Systems, Data Management, Computer Science, Analytics, or a related field.

Specialized Knowledge and Skills:

• Familiarity with Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations data structures or Synapse Link.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Purview or similar data cataloging tools.
• Experience using Azure DevOps for backlog and issue management and comfort working within Git-based change workflows. Strong documentation, presentation, and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Word).

Pay range for this position is $67,000 -$94,000 annually depending on experience

Thorlabs values its diverse environment and is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified individuals will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age or veteran status. Job descriptions are not intended as and do not create employment contracts. The organization maintains its status as an at-will employer. Employees can be terminated for any reason not prohibited by law.

Thorlabs offers a complete benefits package that includes medical, dental and vision insurance, company paid life insurance, a generous PTO package, a 401(k) plan, and tuition reimbursement just to name a few..