Senior Data Engineer

IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION; Ames (IA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Iowa State University Foundation is seeking a collaborative data engineer to join our Data Services team in Ames. The role focuses on turning data from multiple sources into reliable, analytics-ready information for reporting, donor engagement, and AI-supported workflows.

The ideal candidate will have strong SQL, data modeling, and cloud data platform experience, plus the ability to explain technical topics in business terms and work across teams in a hybrid work setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, MIS, data analytics, or related field; equivalent practical experience considered.
• 6-7 years in data engineering, analytics engineering, or BI development with SQL development and data transformations.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and organize data for AI-supported tools, reporting, and workflows.
• Collaborate on AI pilot projects with human review and data quality controls.
• Design, build, and maintain datasets on the cloud data platform for analytics-ready information.
• Develop and improve SQL-based data transformations for accurate results.
• Move data in and out of the platform to support systems and engagement tools.
• Investigate and resolve data quality, reconciliation, and source-system issues.
• Provide responsive data-user support and document procedures.
• Stay current on data tools and cloud platform capabilities.

Skills

SQL development

Relational data modeling

ETL/ELT transformations

AI/LLMs understanding

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Confidentiality

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, MIS, Data Analytics, or related field

Tools

Cloud data platforms

Managed data ingestion tools

SQL tooling

Job description

Description

This is a hybrid position. Must be able to work at foundation offices in Ames, Iowa at least 2-3 days per week.

Join the Iowa State University Foundation in our mission to engage our community, inspire philanthropy, and steward resources to advance Iowa State University and its impact on Iowa and the world. We are seeking a collaborative individual with strong technical expertise to join our data services team.

Your Next Career Move…

As an essential member of the data services team, this position serves as a key contributor to the foundation’s modern data environment by turning information from multiple sources into reliable, well-organized data that can be used for reporting, decision‑making, donor engagement, and emerging AI‑supported work.

Core Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Prepare and organize data so it can be used responsibly and reliably in AI‑supported tools, reporting, and business workflows.
• Collaborate on pilot projects that use AI to improve or speed up data‑related work, while ensuring appropriate human review, validation, and data quality controls.
• Design, build, document, and maintain data sets on the cloud data platform that transform source data into clean, consistent, analytics‑ready information for business users.
• Develop and improve SQL‑based data transformations, ensuring the data platform performs well and produces accurate, dependable results.
• Partner with others to move data into and out of the platform so business systems, reporting tools, and engagement processes receive reliable and well‑structured information.
• Identify, investigate, and resolve data quality, reconciliation, and source‑system issues including differences in definitions, formats, matching rules, and data relationships.
• Provide responsive support to data users by explaining solutions clearly, documenting procedures, and helping others understand how to use data effectively.
• Stay current on data tools, cloud platform capabilities, and emerging practices that can improve the foundation’s data environment and business outcomes.

Requirements

Education & Work Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, MIS, data analytics, or another related field. Equivalent practical experience considered.
• 6-7 years in data engineering, analytics engineering, or BI development, including hand‑on SQL development, data modeling, and building data transformations.

Desired Skills & Experience

• Strong SQL and relational data modeling (dimensional/star schema and normalized).
• Experience building ETL/ELT transformations, ideally in a medallion or layered warehouse architecture.
• Familiarity with cloud data platforms and managed data ingestion tools.
• Working conceptual understanding of AI/LLMs and how data quality and structure affect AI outputs; comfort with light prompting and structured‑output techniques. Hands‑on AI pipeline construction is a plus, not a requirement.
• Experiencewith cloud data platforms and familiarity with fundraising or higher education data are a plus.
• Excellent verbal andwritten communication skills; ability to explain technical topics in business terms.
• Excellentinterpersonal and customer service skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Must be adaptable, flexible, and self‑directed.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and ability to learn new software.
• Must be able to handle several activities simultaneously with attention to detail and adherence to deadlines and accuracy.
• Must adhere to strict confidentiality standards.

Travel: None

FLSA Status: Exempt

Location: Ames, IA; potentially hybrid