Principal Data Engineer

Sourcewell Technology; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 114,000 - 143,000; Full time

Job summary

Sourcewell is seeking a Principal Data Engineer to lead the design, development, and maintenance of scalable data solutions. This remote role focuses on data architecture, governance, and cross-functional collaboration to meet organizational needs.

The position requires extensive SQL Server and ETL experience, plus strong leadership and mentoring capabilities to guide a growing data engineering team. Salary ranges reflect senior grade and experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field and a minimum of seven (7) years’ experience designing and developing data solutions and managing large-scale databases or eleven (11) years total experience with IT-related education and work.
• Five (5) years’ experience with SQL Server including database design, complex SQL, indexing, and administration.
• Five (5) years’ experience designing, developing, and maintaining ETL solutions (SSIS, Azure Data Factory).
• Four (4) years’ experience with .NET, C#, REST, OAuth, and ODBC.
• Three (3) years’ experience with Azure, Power BI, SSRS, Azure DevOps, Jira, and Git.
• Strong business process/operational knowledge (e.g., customer service, inventory management, procurement, accounting, education/student data).

Responsibilities

• Lead design and development of data solutions and enhance existing ones.
• Create data structures, algorithms, and constraints; review designs for accuracy.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to identify requirements and potential solutions.
• Document code, testing, deployment processes, and data integration strategies.
• Design data and integration solutions for large-scale systems across cross-functional teams.
• Ensure data integrity and security; implement QC processes and SOC/FERPA compliance.
• Maintain and improve critical data systems; respond to service desk tickets and leadership requests.
• Mentor data engineers and promote best practices throughout the team.
• Participate in releases and provide support outside typical hours.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Business process knowledge

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field

Master’s degree in computer science or related field

Tools

SQL Server

ETL (SSIS, Azure Data Factory)

Azure

Power BI

SSRS

Azure DevOps

Jira

Git

.NET

C#

REST

OAuth

ODBC

Job description

Position Title

Principal Data Engineer Salary Range: Principal Data Engineer (Grade 17, Exempt). Annual salary range: $114,320– $142,900. This range reflects the minimum to midpoint of the grade. Salary may exceed the midpoint and will commensurate with experience.

Job Description Summary

This position is responsible for leading in the design, development, and maintenance of data solutions that align with organizational needs.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Design and development Lead, design, and develop new data solutions and enhance existing data solutions that meet specified criteria. Create document designs (data structures, algorithms, constraints, dependencies, etc.) and review others designs to ensure accuracy and appropriateness of the solution. Collaborate with appropriate team members/stakeholders to identify business requirements and identify possible solutions. Document code created, testing, and deployment processes used. Design data and integration solutions for complex scenarios, working cross-functionally on large-scale systems. Stay informed and educated on changing technologies, frameworks, design approaches, and data engineering best practices. Lead data architecture planning and decision making. Develop and implement effective, secure, and efficient data solutions. (e.g. databases, integrations, reports, analytics, etc) Optimize systems for deliverability, scalability, and performance. Identify potential risks and issues that may occur within development and maintenance of data solutions, present potential options, and risk mitigation strategies. Develop quality control processes to ensure data integrity, including unit testing. Follow data solution development best practices, including compliance to internal and external regulations. (e.g. SOC, FERPA)
2. Support, maintenance, and continuous improvement Maintain existing critical data systems including updates, enhancements, and fixes. Collaborate with team members/stakeholders to ensure solutions are tested, secure, and monitored. Resolve errors within data systems. Respond to service desk tickets and requests from project managers or leadership.
3. Act as a mentor/lead/role model Serve as a mentor to other data engineers, supporting growth and development. Be an ambassador for data engineering lifecycle best practices, educating other data engineers, serving as a role model, and encouraging practices to follow. Provide guidance on complex issues, unique situations, and data engineering challenges.
4. Participates in releases and support as necessary, including outside of traditional work hours.
5. Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science or related field AND a minimum of seven (7) years’ experience in designing and developing data solutions and managing large scale databases OR A combination of IT related post-secondary and/or professional education and demonstrated relevant work experience designing and developing data solutions and managing databases equivalent to a total of eleven (11) years.
• Five (5) years’ experience with SQL Server including: database design, writing and optimizing complex SQL statements and stored procedures, index design and maintenance, and database administration (e.g. security, backups, etc.)
• Five (5) years’ experience designing, developing, and maintaining ETL solutions (e.g. SSIS, Azure Data Factory)
• Four (4) years’ experience with some the following technologies: .NET, C#, REST, OAuth, and ODBC.
• Three (3) years’ experience with some the following technologies: Azure, Power BI, SSRS, Azure DevOps, Jira, and Git.
• Strong business process/operational knowledge (e.g., customer service, inventory management, procurement, accounting, education/student data, etc.)

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in computer science or related field AND fourteen years’ experience in data engineering.
• Twelve (12) years’ experience with SQL Server including: database design, writing and optimizing complex SQL statements and stored procedures, index design and maintenance, and database administration. (e.g. security, backups, etc.)
• Twelve (12) years’ experience designing, developing, and maintaining ETL solutions. (e.g. SSIS, Azure Data Factory)
• Seven (7) years’ experience with some the following technologies: .NET, C#, REST, OAuth, and ODBC.
• Five (5) years’ experience with some the following technologies: Azure, Power BI, SSRS, Azure DevOps, Jira, and Git.
• Three (3) years’ experience with education/student data.

Location

This is a remote position, and is subject to Sourcewell's telecommuting policies and procedures. On occasion, may be asked to travel to Staples, MN for meetings, professional development or team activities. Up to three to four (3-4) times per year. Notice will be given ahead of time.

Full Time/Part Time

Full time

Position Type

Regular

Scheduled Hours

40

Company Information

At Sourcewell, collaboration, respect, and belonging are the core of who we are. We believe in giving back to the community, offering paid volunteer time for staff, and supporting one another to do our best work. We’re proud to have been recognized by Top Workplaces, the nation’s leading employer recognition program, annually since 2016. Our values: Seek. Be curious. Empower. Be accountable and liberate others. Impact. Be a difference maker Sourcewell empowers public employees through dynamic solutions and services that drive efficiency and impact. As a government organization serving thousands of public agencies across the United States and Canada, Sourcewell understands the day-to-day challenges public employees face. From cooperative contracts and related solutions, to education and community resources, Sourcewell is committed to providing high-quality service while supporting community success. We are guided by our core values of Seek – be curious, Empower – be accountable and liberate others, and Impact – be a difference maker. Join us and make a lasting impact. Sourcewell is currently accepting applications from all U.S. states except the following: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington D.C., and Washington. Applicants living in or planning to relocate to a state not on this list are encouraged to apply. Sourcewell exists to empower community success. We stand with our partners in government and education striving to recognize and honor the differences in each of our community members. We are committed to removing barriers to equity. Values Seek. Be curious. Empower. Be accountable and liberate others. Impact. Be a difference maker