Senior Analytics Engineer

Alpaca; United States; Remote; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Alpaca is seeking an Analytics Engineer to own and execute the vision for our data transformation layer. You will work on a GCP-based data platform handling hundreds of millions of events daily, collaborating with data engineers, data scientists, and business users to deliver robust data models.

You will use dbt and Trino to build scalable models, enabling reliable metrics across finance, operations, and executive teams via BI tools and reverse ETL.

Qualifications

• 4+ years in analytics engineering or data engineering with ELT focus.
• Proven data products ownership end-to-end with quality and scalability.
• Ability to define requirements with stakeholders and work autonomously.

Responsibilities

• Own the Transformation Layer: design, build, and maintain scalable data models with dbt and SQL.
• Set standards for data modeling, development, testing, and monitoring.
• Collaborate with finance, operations, marketing, and customer success to deliver data products.
• Create repeatable patterns for BI integrations and reverse ETL processes.
• Ensure data quality with robust change management and code reviews.

Skills

Advanced SQL

dbt

Python

Query optimization

CI/CD

Cloud platforms

Tools

Airbyte

Airflow

dbt Semantic Layer

Postgres

Iceberg

Job description

About the Role:

We are seeking an Analytics Engineer to own and execute the vision for our data transformation layer. You will be at the heart of our data platform, which processes hundreds of millions of events daily from a wide array of sources, including transactional databases, API logs, CRMs, payment systems, and marketing platforms.

You will join our 100% remote team and work closely with Data Engineers (who manage data ingestion) and Data Scientists and Business Users (who consume your data models). Your primary responsibility will be to use dbt and Trino on our GCP-based, open-source data infrastructure to build robust, scalable data models. These models are critical for stakeholders across the company—from finance and operations to the executive team—and are delivered via BI tools, reports, and reverse ETL systems.

What You'll Do:

• Own the Transformation Layer: Design, build, and maintain scalable data models using dbt and SQL to support diverse business needs, from monthly financial reporting to near-real-time operational metrics.
• Set Technical Standards: Establish and enforce best practices for data modeling, development, testing, and monitoring to ensure data quality, integrity (up to cent-level precision), and discoverability.
• Enable Stakeholders: Collaborate directly with finance, operations, customer success, and marketing teams to understand their requirements and deliver reliable data products.
• Integrate and Deliver: Create repeatable patterns for integrating our data models with BI tools and reverse ETL processes, enabling consistent metric reporting across the business.
• Ensure Quality: Champion high standards for development, including robust change management, source control, code reviews, and data monitoring as our products and data evolve.

What You Need (Must-Haves):

• 4+ years of experience in analytics engineering or data engineering with a strong focus on the "T" (transformation) in ELT.
• Proven track record of owning data products end-to-end, applying analytics and data engineering best practices to ensure data quality, scalability, and robust data models.
• Comfortable working with ambiguity and collaborating with stakeholders to define requirements; able to take ownership with minimal oversight in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience proactively identifying and implementing improvements to data warehouse performance and ETL efficiency.

Technical Versatility:

• Expert-level SQL and DBT skills for complex queries and data transformations.
• Proficiency in Python for transformations that extend beyond SQL.
• Hands-on experience with query optimization across OLTP and OLAP systems (e.g., Postgres, Iceberg).
• Proficiency with Semantic Layer modelling (e.g. Cube, dbt Semantic Layer).
• Experience owning CI/CD workflows and establishing team-wide standards for version control and code review (e.g., Git).
• Familiarity with cloud environments (GCP or AWS).

Nice to Haves:

• Experience with data ingestion tools (e.g., Airbyte) and orchestration tools (e.g., Airflow).
• Domain experience for brokerage operations or passion for financial markets and modeling financial datasets.