Manager, Data Platforms, Engineering & Operations

MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority); Atlanta (GA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) seeks a Manager of Data Platforms, Engineering & Operations to lead the enterprise data and analytics stack, including cloud data engineering, data pipelines, AI-enabled platforms, and data governance. You will drive DevOps/CI/CD, ARB reviews, and KPI-driven modernization across Oracle Cloud ERP/HCM and ITS interfaces.

You will oversee 24/7 data platform reliability, implement observability, and coordinate with CIO/Senior Director to align

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or related field.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in data engineering, cloud systems, DevOps, or database operations.
• Minimum 4 years supervising technical teams.
• Experience collaborating with technology, business, and operational stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead multi-year strategy and modernization roadmap for data platforms, cloud adoption, automation, and analytics enablement.
• Architect and oversee cloud-based data platforms, real-time ingestion systems, and enterprise data warehouses.
• Ensure 24×7 reliability of data systems, pipelines, databases, and deployment automation.
• Oversee database engineering including performance tuning, backup/restore, HA/DR, and capacity planning.
• Lead Azure DevOps CI/CD including YAML pipelines, automated tests, gated releases, and multi-environment deployments.
• Lead collaboration with cross-functional teams to align data capabilities with business strategy.

Skills

Databricks

Unity Catalog

AI/BI Genie

Delta Lake optimization

Distributed compute

ML workflows

Azure DevOps

CI/CD

Git workflows

Observability tools

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/Engineering/IS

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Power BI

Tableau

Looker Studio

Copilot/AI tools

Alation

Bigeye

Profisee

Job description

Division: Technology Applications - Data & Analytics

Reports To: Senior Director, Technology Applications

Matrix Collaboration: Business Applications; Technical Support Services; CIO Office; KPI Modernization Teams

1. Position Summary

The Manager of Data Platforms, Engineering & Operations leads MARTA's enterprise data and analytics ecosystem, including cloud data engineering, data pipelines, AI-enabled platforms, database administration, DevOps/CI/CD automation, and data governance. The role ensures secure, reliable, governed, and scalable data delivery supporting operations, Oracle Cloud, KPI reporting, and enterprise modernization initiatives.

2. Essential Duties and Responsibilities

A. Strategy and Leadership

• Lead multi-year strategy and modernization roadmap for data platforms, cloud adoption, automation, and analytics enablement.
• Convert organizational and business priorities into actionable engineering, DevOps, and DataOps plans.
• Staying abreast of latest Data Technology innovations in the world market and guiding MARTA IT leadership on technology selection/ implementation decisions and strategy execution
• Provide strategic/thought leadership across data platform functions, aligned with CIO and IT-Senior Director priorities.

B. Data Engineering and Architecture

• Architect and oversee cloud-based data platforms, real-time ingestion systems, and enterprise data warehouses.
• Direct ETL/ELT development, data transformation workflows, KPI lifecycle operations, and integration architecture.
• Lead ARB (Architecture Review Board) reviews and procure approvals for Data designs/blueprints
• Ensure platform alignment with Oracle Cloud ERP/HCM, Intelligent Transit Systems (ITS) and other operational data flows.

C. Platform Operations and Reliability

• Ensure 24×7 reliability of data systems, pipelines, databases, and deployment automation.
• Implement monitoring, observability, alerting, runbooks, and incident response procedures.
• Partner with Technical Support Services on infrastructure stability and deployments.

D. Database Administration

• Oversee database engineering including performance tuning, backup/restore, HA/DR, and capacity planning.
• Govern auditing, encryption, secure access, patching, and compliance.
• Standardize schema design, indexing, and optimization practices.

E. DevOps and CI/CD

• Lead Azure DevOps CI/CD including YAML pipelines, automated tests, gated releases, and multi-environment deployments.
• Implement Git workflows, code reviews, pull requests, and continuous integration standards.
• Champion DevOps processes including infrastructure-as-code, automated validation, environment provisioning, and secure deployments.

F. Cross-functional Collaboration

• Lead collaboration with Business Applications, Research & Analysis, Operations, HR, Finance, Infrastructure, and Cybersecurity.
• Engage internal clients to define requirements, prioritize needs, and align data platform capabilities with business strategy.
• Maintain integrated business and technology roadmap for data and analytics modernization.
• Support major initiatives including Business Apps Cloud migration, strategic KPI modernization, analytics transformation and AI use cases adoption.
• Coordinate with vendors and partners to ensure alignment, solution readiness, and operational stability.
• Maintain strong communication and alignment across enterprise delivery teams.

3. Supervisory Responsibilities

• Supervise Technical Product Owner, Data Engineers, Data Platform Analysts, QA Engineers, Cloud/Data DevOps Engineers, and Database Administrators.
• Lead hiring, coaching, performance evaluations, and team development.
• Provide leadership oversight of client engagement activities requiring escalation or strategic alignment.
• Oversee business and technology roadmap management for Data Platforms.
• Direct project intake, prioritization, resource allocation, and delivery sequencing.
• Manage vendor relationships including performance reviews, contract oversight, and escalation handling.
• Oversee financial management including budgeting, forecasting, cloud cost optimization, and vendor spend.
• Direct preparation and delivery of ABRs (Annual Business Reviews) and QBRs (Quarterly Business Reviews) for IT and Business Leadership.

4. Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or related field; Master's preferred.
• Minimum 8 years of experience in data engineering, cloud systems, DevOps, or database operations.
• Minimum 4 years supervising technical teams.
• Experience collaborating with technology, business, and operational stakeholders.

5. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Hands-on Databricks experience: Unity Catalog, Apps, AI/BI Genie, Genie Code, Asset Bundles, Skill Files, Delta Lake optimization, distributed compute, ML workflows.
• Working knowledge of Artificial Intelligence and ML: feature engineering, modeling, deployment, LLMs, prompt engineering.
• Architecture and development experience with Microsoft Power BI, Tableau and Google Looker Studio Business Intelligence platforms
• Experience using Microsoft Copilot and generative AI tools for documentation, automation, and analysis.
• Knowledge of Data Governance Platforms (for e.g. Alation, Bigeye, Profisee, RightData, etc.) for Metadata mgmt., Data Quality, Data Privacy/security, Data Literacy, Master Data Mgmt.
• Strong CI/CD pipeline development using Azure DevOps: YAML pipelines, automated testing, releases.
• DevOps expertise: Git workflows, infrastructure-as-code, continuous monitoring, automated validation.
• Experience with observability tools, ITIL/SRE practices, incident management.
• Strong communication, leadership, collaboration, and analytical skills.

6. Working Conditions

• Standard office environment; hybrid schedule based on MARTA policies.
• Occasional after-hours work for critical deployments or incidents.
• Frequent interaction with technical teams, business units, and leadership.

7. Physical Requirements

• Prolonged periods working at a computer.
• Occasional travel between MARTA facilities.

8. Key Performance Indicators

• Platform stability, uptime, and SLA adherence.
• CI/CD and automation throughput; reduction in manual tasks.
• KPI cycle accuracy, timeliness, and reliability.
• Vendor performance, contract utilization, and budget adherence.
• Data quality improvements and governance maturity.
• Successful coordination and delivery across enterprise initiatives.

MARTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.