Senior Data Engineer II

ActBlue; Somerville (MA); Remote; USD 173,000 - 211,000; Full time

Job summary

A nonprofit organization is seeking a Senior Data Engineer II to join their Data Department. This hands-on role involves building and evolving data products, designing data pipelines, and collaborating with teams to implement machine learning workflows. Required skills include Python, data architecture, SQL, and experience with various MLOps tools. The position supports remote work with a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits.

Benefits

Unlimited time-off policy

Fully paid health insurance

401K contributions and additional match

Home-office setup allowance

Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant professional experience in data engineering or backend development with a strong focus on Python.
• Expertise in writing clean, modular, tested, and production-ready Python code.
• Strong understanding of data architecture, distributed systems, and security best practices.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain scalable data pipelines using Python.
• Collaborate with data scientists to productionize machine learning workflows.
• Implement monitoring and CI/CD automation for data pipelines.

Skills

Python engineering

Data architecture

SQL

Monitoring and observability

Tools

SageMaker

Vertex AI

Fivetran

DBT

Job description

WHO WE ARE

ActBlue is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating cutting-edge technology that fuels Democratic victories and enables progressive causes to thrive.

Our vision is simple: building change through the power of people. Since our founding, we’ve been building innovative solutions to revolutionize grassroots fundraising – if you’ve donated to a Democratic campaign or a progressive organization online, you’ve probably used our platform! We believe in putting power in the hands of small-dollar donors by helping thousands of groups — from local candidates to national movements — mobilize their communities and create a lasting impact. Every member of our team is deeply committed to advancing our shared mission and core values. Together, we are shaping the future of democracy.

THE OPPORTUNITY

We’re looking for a Senior Data Engineer II to join ActBlue’s Data Department and contribute to building and evolving the data products that power our platform.

As part of the Data Product Team, you\’ll help integrate our internal data platform with user-facing applications and infrastructure. You’ll work across the data lifecycle—from ingestion and modeling to deploying machine learning pipelines—focused on unlocking insights, personalization, and automation that support political campaigns, organizations, and donors.

This is a hands-on role for someone who thrives in a collaborative environment and brings deep Python engineering expertise along with a pragmatic, product-minded approach to data systems.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Design, build, and maintain scalable, reliable, and secure data pipelines using Python, with a focus on enabling data access and insight across product teams, engineering, and entities.
• Develop reusable data services and frameworks that support high-quality data ingestion, transformation, and ML model deployment — accelerating analytics and experimentation across the organization.
• Collaborate with data scientists and ML engineers to productionize machine learning workflows using SageMaker, Vertex AI, or other MLOps tools
• Implement monitoring, testing, and CI/CD automation for data pipelines and ML services
• Own and evolve real-time and batch data integrations between ActBlue’s core systems and user-facing applications — influencing design decisions and architecture across multiple teams including Product, Engineering, and Analytics.
• Develop, optimize and support reverse ETL workflows using tools like Hightouch
• Participate in code reviews, mentor junior engineers, and help foster a high-trust engineering culture.
• Demonstrate technical leadership through writing documentation, establishing effective monitoring, and fostering clear and audience-oriented communication.

WHAT YOU BRING

• 5+ years of relevant professional experience in data engineering or backend development with a strong focus on Python.
• Expertise in writing clean, modular, tested, and production-ready Python code.
• Strong understanding of data architecture, distributed systems, and security best practices.
• Experience deploying and supporting production ML workflows (e.g., SageMaker, Vertex AI, or equivalent).
• Familiarity with ELT tools such as Fivetran and data modeling frameworks like DBT.
• Solid command of SQL and experience working with large analytical databases (e.g., Redshift, PostgreSQL).
• Experience with monitoring and observability using Datadog or similar tools.
• A team player mentality. You keep the end user in mind and enjoy hearing feedback from your teammates, yet know when and how to defend your own ideas in a respectful manner.
• Commitment to ActBlue’s mission and values, including equity, accessibility, and civic engagement

BONUS POINTS

• Experience with ML platforms like SageMaker, Vertex AI, TensorFlow, or Modelbi.
• Experience with real-time data systems or streaming platforms.
• Experience contributing to internal platforms or tooling used across engineering teams.
• Experience implementing robust testing frameworks for data workflows (e.g., Pytest, dbt tests)

WORK & BENEFITS SNAPSHOT

This posting is for a full-time, remote, salaried position. Travel may be required on a limited basis to attend all-staff and departmental retreats (1-2 times per year). Additional travel may be required for select positions.

Registered States*: Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Washington D.C.

*While ActBlue is currently registered to support remote work in the states listed above, we possess the ability to register in additional states as needed. If you are located in a state not listed, we may still be able to proceed with your application, but please note that the offer process may take longer to accommodate registration requirements.

Work Schedule:

This role requires availability during established, regular business hours (Mon-Fri) and is expected to be a part of an on-call rotation which will result in working nontraditional hours as needed.

Work Environment:

Employees can expect to work with distributed teams across all U.S. time zones. Our roles require extended technology usage, and proficiency with virtual communication tools such as Zoom and Slack. Regular attendance in virtual meetings is inherent to every position.

Salary Range Details:

Salary Range: $173,676 - $192,209 - $210,741

ActBlue is committed to consistent compensation practices across our organization. Final salary offers will take into account factors such as candidate experience, interview performance and current team salary parity.

Benefits:

• Flexible work schedules and an unlimited time-off policy
• Fully paid and trans-inclusive health, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their families; plus fully-paid health reimbursement arrangement to use for out of pocket expenses and fully-paid short- and long-term disability
• Fully paid basic and AD&D life insurance and a voluntary supplemental life insurance option
• Dependent and health care flexible spending account options
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) benefits for employees
• Automatic 2% Employer-paid 401K contribution, plus up to an additional 6% match on employee contributions
• A minimum of three months paid medical, family and parental leave (for all new parents, adoptions included)
• Commuter or home-office benefits, including a $1,000 home-office setup allowance for all new full-time remote employees
• Additional perks including quarterly snack deliveries and digital subscriptions to the Boston Globe & New York Times

ActBlue is unable to sponsor work visas at this time.

UNION INFORMATION

The terms and conditions of this position are subject to a collective bargaining agreement with the Communications Workers of America, the exclusive bargaining agent of covered ActBlue Technical Services employees.

BACKGROUND CHECKS

As part of our hiring process, ActBlue will conduct a background check at the time of offer. This will be completed in compliance with applicable laws and will not be initiated without your consent.

INCLUSION STATEMENT FROM ACTBLUE

ActBlue is committed to equal employment opportunities and fostering a diverse, inclusive workplace. We celebrate unique perspectives, honor the dignity of all individuals, and recognize that diverse backgrounds and identities strengthen our mission.

If you’re passionate about our work and see yourself in this role, we encourage you to apply—even if you don’t meet every requirement.

We also provide reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the hiring process and employment. To request an accommodation, email recruitment at actblue dot com.