FinOps Engineer, Cost Analytics & Platform

BlackLine Systems, Inc.; Pleasanton (CA); On-site; USD 116,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Office presence 3 days/week

Job summary

BlackLine is seeking a FinOps Engineer to drive cloud cost analytics across GCP, AWS, and Azure. You’ll own Apptio Cloudability, build executive dashboards, and partner with Finance to translate spend into actionable insights.

The role emphasizes data-driven forecasting, reporting automation, and cross-team collaboration to optimize cloud spend and financial reporting. You will query the cost data lake with SQL, develop lightweight automation, and engage with vendors to align tooling with cost

Qualifications

• 4+ years in FinOps, cloud cost management, or related financial analysis with cloud exposure.
• Hands-on experience with a cloud cost management platform, especially Apptio Cloudability.
• Strong knowledge of cloud pricing across GCP, AWS, Azure; familiarity with committed use discounts and reservations.
• SQL proficiency to self-serve from BigQuery data lake; able to build executive-ready dashboards.

Responsibilities

• Own Apptio Cloudability as the primary FinOps platform, including cost allocations and reporting configurations.
• Build and maintain executive dashboards (Looker Studio and Cloudability) for cloud cost and unit economics.
• Produce recurring FinOps reporting (weekly showbacks, dashboards narratives) for leadership.
• Lead cost optimization analysis across three clouds (discounts, plans, RI, idle cleanup).
• Model forecasts and scenarios, including AI/LLM platform spend forecasting.
• Query BigQuery data lake directly for ad hoc analysis and define data needs for the Data Platform.
• Automate recurring reporting (SQL, scripting) to reduce manual work.
• Collaborate with Finance on GL treatment, accruals, variance explanations, and cost storytelling to executives.
• Engage with vendors and account teams on tooling and roadmap for cost visibility.

Skills

FinOps

Cloud cost management

Cloud pricing

SQL

Executive dashboards

Forecasting

Excel

Data analysis

Python

Apptio Cloudability

Education

FinOps Foundation certification

Tools

Apptio Cloudability

Looker Studio

BigQuery

Job description

Make Your Mark: The FinOps Engineer, Cost Analytics & Platform drives cloud cost analysis, forecasting, optimization, and executive reporting across GCP, AWS, and Azure, and is the primary owner of Apptio Cloudability and the FinOps reporting layer. The role is titled and leveled as an engineer, but the day-to-day work is analytical: turning cost data into decisions, building executive-facing dashboards, and partnering with Finance and Engineering to optimize spend. This person is expected to query the cost data lake directly rather than only consume finished dashboards, build lightweight automation for recurring reporting, and partner closely with the FinOps Engineer, Data Platform on data and pipeline requirements. AI/LLM spend (e.g., Anthropic, OpenAI) is treated as a first-class part of the forecasting and reporting scope, alongside traditional multi-cloud spend.

You’ll Get To:

• Own Apptio Cloudability as the primary FinOps platform: cost allocation/tagging structures, folder and report configuration, business mappings, and chargeback/showback readiness.
• Build and maintain executive-facing dashboards (Looker Studio and Cloudability) for cloud cost, unit economics, commitment savings, and variance, ready for CTO and Finance leadership audiences.
• Produce recurring FinOps reporting (for example, the weekly P&T showback email, DCU dashboard narratives, ExCo/QBR contributions) at a quality bar that requires minimal review before distribution.
• Lead cost optimization analysis: committed use discounts, savings plans, reserved instances, idle resource cleanup, and rate/commitment modeling across all three clouds.
• Build and maintain forecast and scenario models, including AI/LLM platform spend forecasting (for example, contract-vs-list-rate impacts, migration cost modeling, commitment renewals, and AI usage growth).
• Query the BigQuery cost data lake directly (SQL) for ad hoc analysis, and define data and reporting requirements for the Data Platform engineer, validating that delivered datasets support the analysis.
• Build lightweight automation (SQL, scripting) to reduce manual effort in recurring reporting and free up time for higher-value analysis.
• Partner with Finance on GL treatment, accruals, and variance explanation; translate cloud and AI spend into financial terms for non-technical stakeholders.
• Drive vendor and stakeholder conversations (Apptio/IBM, cloud account teams, AI platform vendors) on tooling, telemetry, and roadmap as they affect cost visibility.

Required qualifications

4+ years in FinOps, cloud cost management, cloud financial analysis, or closely related (financial analysis with strong cloud exposure). Hands‑on expertise with a cloud cost management platform, Apptio Cloudability strongly preferred (independently builds reports, configures allocations, and manages tagging/folder structures). Strong working knowledge of cloud pricing and optimization across at least two of GCP, AWS, Azure (committed use discounts, savings plans, reserved instances, rate structures). SQL proficiency sufficient to self‑serve directly from the BigQuery data lake rather than relying solely on delivered dashboards. Demonstrated ability to build clear, accurate, executive‑ready dashboards and analysis with minimal rework. Strong financial modeling and Excel skills; comfortable with forecasting, variance, and scenario analysis. Excellent written and verbal communication, including the ability to present cost stories to senior leadership and tailor by audience.

Preferred qualifications

• FinOps Foundation certification (FinOps Certified Practitioner or higher).
• Experience tracking and forecasting spend on AI/LLM platforms (e.g., Anthropic, OpenAI) and a working understanding of usage‑based AI pricing, token/consumption metrics, and cost drivers.
• Python or comparable scripting for reporting automation.
• Experience with multi‑cloud environments and large‑scale commitment portfolios.
• Familiarity with SaaS/cloud‑hosting unit economics and chargeback maturity models.

What You’ll Bring

Thrive at BlackLine Because You Are Joining: A technology‑based company with a sense of adventure and a vision for the future. Every door at BlackLine is open. Just bring your brains, your problem‑solving skills, and be part of a winning team at the world’s most trusted name in Finance Automation! A culture that is kind, open, and accepting. It’s a place where people can embrace what makes them unique, and the mix of cultural backgrounds and varying interests cultivates diverse thought and perspectives. A culture where BlackLiner’s continued growth and learning is empowered. BlackLine offers a wide variety of professional development seminars and inclusive affinity groups to celebrate and support our diversity. BlackLine is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity or expression, race, ethnicity, age, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, ancestry, color, marital status, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, status as a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking, medical condition, genetic information, or any other protected class or category recognized by applicable equal employment opportunity or other similar laws. BlackLine recognizes that the ways we work and the workplace itself has shifted. We innovate in a workplace that optimizes a combination of virtual and in‑person interactions to maximize collaboration and nurture our culture. Candidates who live within a reasonable commute to one of our offices will work in the office at least 3 days a week.

Salary Range

Salary Range: $116,000.00-$145,000.00 Pay Transparency Statement: Placement within this range depends upon several factors, including the applicant’s prior relevant job experience, skill set, and geographic location. In addition to base pay, BlackLine also offers short‑term and long‑term incentive programs, based on eligibility, along with a robust offering of benefit and wellness plans. We are committed to pay transparency and ensuring candidates have clear information about compensation expectations. For roles that include variable incentive components such as an Incentive Compensation Plan (ICP) or On‑Target Earnings (OTE), the compensation structure may follow a split model – for example, a 50/50, 70/30, or 60/40 ratio between base salary and variable incentive. BlackLine is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible experience for all candidates.

Accommodations

If you require a reasonable accommodation that would better enable your success during the application or interview process, please complete this form.

Accommodations: BlackLine is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible experience for all candidates. If you require a reasonable accommodation that would better enable your success during the application or interview process, please complete this form.