Principal MS Data & AI Engineer

Strategic Staffing Solutions; Minneapolis (MN); Hybrid; USD 131,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

Strategic Staffing Solutions is seeking a Senior/Principal Data Engineer to design scalable data pipelines using Microsoft SQL Server and Fabric. You will build governed data products, create dimensional and semantic models, and develop Power BI reporting datasets for executive analytics.

The role requires expert SQL, Fabric implementation, and strong governance with experience across data integration, ETL/ELT, and AI-assisted analytics. Hybrid work arrangement available.

Qualifications

• This is a Senior/Principal Data Engineering role with emphasis on SQL Server, Fabric, data modeling and AI-assisted analytics.
• Expert-level SQL development and enterprise ETL/ELT pipeline experience required.
• Hands-on Microsoft Fabric implementation and governance of enterprise data assets.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop scalable data pipelines using SQL Server and Fabric.
• Build reusable ETL/ELT solutions and governed data products.
• Create analytical data models: dimensional, relational, and semantic.
• Develop Power BI semantic models and reporting datasets.
• Integrate diverse data sources and ensure data quality.
• Optimize SQL performance and data processing workflows.
• Implement Medallion architecture standards and governance.
• Support executive reporting and workforce analytics initiatives.
• Leverage AI tools to accelerate data discovery, engineering, testing and documentation.
• Ensure data governance, privacy, security and regulatory compliance.

Skills

Microsoft SQL Server

Microsoft Fabric

Data Modeling

AI-assisted Analytics

Power BI

Excel

Python

PySpark

PowerShell

ETL/ELT Development

Data Warehousing

Tools

SQL Server Management Studio

Power BI Desktop

Azure Data Factory

GitHub

VS Code

Job description

Location: Minneapolis, MN (Preferred) | Chandler, AZ | Irving, TX | Charlotte, NC

Work Model: Hybrid (3 Days Onsite / 2 Days Remote)

Duration: 18-Month Contract

Pay- $95-$100/hr

SORRY NO CTC'S OR OPT'S!

Must-Have Skills (Required)

This is fundamentally a Senior/Principal Data Engineering role with the highest emphasis on Microsoft SQL Server (40%) + Microsoft Fabric (30%) + Data Modeling (15%) + AI-assisted Analytics (10%) + Power BI/Excel (5%).

• Microsoft SQL Server
• Advanced SQL Development
• Stored Procedures, Views, Functions, Query Optimization
• ETL / ELT Development
• Data Integration
• Data Warehousing
• Data Quality Management

Microsoft Fabric

• Microsoft Fabric
• Fabric Data Factory
• Fabric Dataflows Gen2
• Fabric Warehouse
• Fabric Lakehouse
• Fabric Semantic Models
• Fabric Notebooks

Data Modeling

• Relational Data Modeling
• Dimensional Modeling
• Analytical Data Modeling
• Semantic Modeling
• Repository-Driven Data Standards
• Medallion Architecture (Bronze, Silver, Gold)

Business Intelligence & Reporting

• Power BI
• Semantic Models
• DAX
• Power Query
• Executive Reporting

Advanced Excel

• Power Query
• Advanced Formulas
• External Data Connections
• Analytical Reporting

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

• AI-Assisted Data Analysis
• Prompt Engineering
• Generative AI Tools
• AI-Assisted SQL Development
• AI-Assisted Documentation & Testing
• Validation of AI-Generated Outputs
• Responsible AI Usage

Strongly Preferred Skills

Databricks & Lakehouse Technologies

• PySpark
• Lakehouse Architecture

Automation & Low-Code Platforms

• Power Apps
• Power Automate

Programming & Scripting

• Python
• PySpark
• PowerShell

DevOps & SDLC

• GitHub
• Release Management
• Automated Testing
• Production Support

Required Experience

• 7+ years of Data Engineering, Analytics Engineering, Database Engineering, or Data Integration experience.
• Expert-level Microsoft SQL Server and SQL development.
• Experience building enterprise ETL/ELT pipelines.
• Hands-on Microsoft Fabric implementation experience.
• Experience designing governed enterprise data assets.
• Experience integrating data from:
• CSV files
• APIs
• Email-delivered files
• Web-based approved sources
• Strong data governance and compliance experience.
• Experience preparing curated datasets for:
• Power BI
• Excel
• Executive Reporting
• AI-Assisted Analytics

AI Experience Required

Candidates should demonstrate practical experience with:

• VS Code AI Extensions

Including:

• Prompt Engineering
• AI-Assisted SQL Generation
• AI-Assisted Data Analysis
• AI-Assisted Documentation
• AI Output Validation

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop scalable data pipelines using Microsoft SQL Server and Microsoft Fabric.
• Build reusable ETL/ELT solutions and governed data products.
• Create analytical, dimensional, relational, and semantic data models.
• Develop Power BI semantic models and reporting datasets.
• Integrate structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data sources.
• Optimize SQL performance and data processing workflows.
• Perform data quality assessments and root cause analysis.
• Implement Medallion architecture standards.
• Support executive reporting and workforce analytics initiatives.
• Leverage AI tools to accelerate data discovery, engineering, testing, and documentation.
• Ensure compliance with data governance, privacy, security, and regulatory requirements