Manager, Software Engineering - AI and Data Platform

Blackbaud; Charleston (SC); Hybrid; USD 134,000 - 174,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Remote-friendly

Wellness programs

401(k) with match

Flexible PTO

Parental leave

Donations for Doers

Pet insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Blackbaud is seeking an Engineering Manager, Data & AI Platform in Charleston to lead teams building and operating the enterprise data and AI platform. You will guide architecture, governance, cloud modernization, and cost optimization while delivering scalable, secure, and product‑oriented solutions.

You’ll mentor engineers across geographies, establish roadmaps and success metrics, collaborate with Product, Data Science, Analytics, and Product Engineering, and champion Responsible AI and best

Qualifications

• 8+ years in software, data, or platform engineering; .NET, Azure, Databricks, ADO preferred.
• 3+ years experience managing and developing data engineering teams.
• Hands-on experience with modern data platforms, cloud data lakes/lakehouses, distributed processing, streaming, APIs.
• Strong understanding of platform engineering principles and operating production systems at scale.
• Proven ability to lead through ambiguity and influence without authority.

Responsibilities

• Own and evolve core Data & AI platform capabilities: ingestion, transformation, lakehouse, feature services, and AI/ML enablement.
• Drive platform decisions aligned with Blackbaud's Unified Data & AI Platform Strategy (modularity, interoperability, AI-first design)
• Partner with Architecture, Governance, and Security to ensure trust, compliance, and Responsible AI standards.
• Balance build vs. buy decisions, prioritizing core competencies while reducing operational complexity.
• Lead teams to deliver high-impact platform initiatives aligned to AOP priorities (legacy modernization, cloud migration, cost optimization, agent enablement).
• Ensure platform reliability through operational excellence, including monitoring, incident management, and performance optimization.
• Establish clear roadmaps, milestones, and success metrics for platform initiatives.
• Hire, mentor, and grow high-performing platform engineers across geographies.
• Provide regular feedback, coaching, and career development aligned with Blackbaud's people strategy.
• Ensure every team member has clear goals, an active IDP, and opportunities to grow in modern Data & AI skills.
• Collaborate closely with Product, Data Science, Analytics, and Product Engineering teams to ensure the platform accelerates - not blocks - delivery.
• Influence standards and best practices across the Data Intelligence COE.

Skills

Software engineering

Data engineering

Platform engineering

Cloud (Azure)

Leadership

Ambiguity management

Tools

Databricks

Azure

ADO

.NET

Job description

The Engineering Manager, Data & AI Platform is responsible for leading teams that build, operate, and evolve Blackbaud's enterprise Data & AI platform - the foundation that powers analytics, data products, machine learning, and agent-based experiences across the company.

This role blends people leadership, platform ownership, and technical strategy. You will manage engineers working across modern data and AI infrastructure (Lakehouse, pipelines, feature services, ML enablement, observability, and governance), while ensuring the platform is scalable, secure, cost-efficient, and product-oriented.

Success in this role requires strong engineering judgment, the ability to operate in ambiguity, and a passion for building platforms that accelerate teams and unlock business outcomes for the nonprofit sector.

What You’ll Do

• Own and evolve core Data & AI platform capabilities, including ingestion, transformation, lakehouse architecture, feature services, and AI/ML enablement layers.
• Drive platform decisions aligned with Blackbaud's Unified Data & AI Platform Strategy (modularity, interoperability, AI‑first design)
• Partner with Architecture, Governance, and Security to ensure the platform meets trust, compliance, and Responsible AI standards.
• Balance build vs. buy decisions, prioritizing core competencies while reducing operational complexity.
• Lead teams to deliver high‑impact platform initiatives aligned to AOP priorities (legacy modernization, cloud migration, cost optimization, agent enablement).
• Ensure platform reliability through operational excellence, including monitoring, incident management, and performance optimization.
• Establish clear roadmaps, milestones, and success metrics for platform initiatives.
• Hire, mentor, and grow high‑performing platform engineers across geographies.
• Provide regular feedback, coaching, and career development aligned with Blackbaud's people strategy.
• Ensure every team member has clear goals, an active IDP, and opportunities to grow in modern Data & AI skills.
• Collaborate closely with Product, Data Science, Analytics, and Product Engineering teams to ensure the platform accelerates - not blocks - delivery.
• Influence standards and best practices across the Data Intelligence COE.

What We'll Want You To Have

• 8+ years of experience in software, data, or platform engineering (.NET, Azure, Databricks, ADO preferred)
• 3+ years of experience managing and developing data engineering teams.
• Hands‑on experience with modern data platforms, cloud data lakes/lakehouses, distributed processing, streaming, APIs
• Strong understanding of platform engineering principles and operating production systems at scale.
• Proven ability to lead through ambiguity and influence without authority.

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Blackbaud powers social impact through purpose-driven technology and responsible AI. Guided by our Intelligence for Good® vision, we're building a culture where innovation, trust, and human expertise come together to help organizations make a greater difference in the world.

Blackbaud is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive work environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, or veteran status or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.

The starting base pay is $133,700.00 to $173,800.00. Blackbaud may pay more or less based on employee qualifications, market value, Company finances, and other operational considerations.

Benefits Include

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Remote-flexible workforce
• Wellness Programs
• 401(k) program with employer match
• Flexible paid time off
• Generous Parental Leave
• Donations for Doers
• Pet insurance, legal and identity protection
• Tuition reimbursement program