Senior Data Operations Lead

Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation; Peoria, Irving, Chicago (IL, TX, IL); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global manufacturing firm is seeking a Senior Data Operations Lead to provide technical expertise and support for data operations. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in a related field, experience with AWS and Snowflake, and strong analytical skills. This role involves leading a team, ensuring data quality, and collaborating with various functions to drive improvements. Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits are offered.

Benefits

Medical, dental, and vision benefits

401(k) savings plans

Paid time off

Career Development

Incentive bonus

Qualifications

• Practical experience in data operations, data engineering, or software engineering.
• Demonstrated experience with AWS and Snowflake.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide advanced data operations and technical support for digital applications.
• Lead and mentor junior team members.
• Drive root cause analysis and implement corrective actions.
• Automate data workflows using Python and AWS.

Skills

Data operations

AWS

Python

Data analysis

Problem-solving

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Data Engineering, or a related field

Tools

AWS services

Snowflake

GitHub

Job description

Overview

Career Area: Technology, Digital and Data

Job Description:

Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.

When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do – but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don't just talk about progress and innovation here – we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it.

Cat Digital is the digital and technology arm of Caterpillar Inc., leveraging the latest technologies to build industry leading digital and analytics solutions for our customers and dealers. We’ve created an inclusive environment for you to explore your passions, make an impact and do the work that really matters. With over 1.5M connected assets worldwide, our business and in the industries, we serve, data is generated continuously by Cat equipment using the latest technology, advanced analytics, telematics and AI capabilities to help our customers build a better world.

Role Definition

As a Senior Data Operations Lead you will serve as the technical lead for our data operations and application support team. You will provide full-stack expertise across application, APIs and data, ensuring reliability and performance. You will drive technical issue triage and resolution, perform impact analysis, and deliver scalable solutions that improve operational efficiency. In this role, you will also guide team on best practices, collaborate across functions, and take ownership of solving complex technical challenges that support both our systems and business goals.

What you will do:

• Provide advanced data operations and technical support for Digital applications and Data Operations, ensuring high availability and data quality across platforms.
• Lead and mentor junior team members, offering technical direction and guidance on complex issues.
• Drive root cause analysis and implement corrective actions for data and application issues, with a focus on meeting Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
• Develop scripts to resolve data issues and perform break-fix activities for data pipelines.
• Collaborate with data solution leads and engineers to define data solutions and implementation logic.
• Identify and apply AI techniques to improve data quality, automate operational tasks, and enhance decision-making.
• Automate data workflows and operational tasks using AI, Python, and AWS services.
• Partner with managers, engineers, and business stakeholders to capture requirements, resolve incidents, and drive continuous improvement in data operations.
• Decompose large initiatives into actionable features, epics, and stories, including risk remediation, audits, onboarding, and enhancements.
• Lead a global team by delegating tasks, managing workloads, mitigating risks, and reporting progress and status.
• Communicate effectively with end users, internal customers, and leadership regarding service status, outages, and planned changes.
• Promote and maintain high standards of software and data quality through best practices.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Caterpillar management.

What you will have:

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Data Engineering, or a related field.
• Practical experience in data operations, data engineering, or software engineering, with a focus on data quality, troubleshooting, and support.
• Demonstrated experience with AWS or Snowflake.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to quickly learn new technologies.
• Proven track record of work independently on complex technical issues and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Top candidates will have:

• Expertise in AWS (including RDS, S3, Lambda), Snowflake, and Python for data operations and automation.
• Experience developing or supporting enterprise data platforms.
• Familiarity with ITSM/ITIL processes, data governance, and metadata management.
• Experience automating data workflows and operational tasks using scripting and orchestration tools.
• Experience using GitHub and CI/CD for version control, data pipeline development and deployment.
• Experience applying AI techniques to improve data quality, automate tasks, or enhance decision-making.
• Familiarity with AI-driven tools or platforms for data operations (e.g., anomaly detection, predictive analytics, intelligent automation).
• Knowledge of third-party monitoring and observability tools (e.g., BigPanda, DataDog, AppDynamics).
• AWS or Snowflake certifications (e.g., AWS Certified Developer Associate).
• Experience leading or mentoring Data Operations or technical support teams.
• Ability to work under pressure and adapt to rapidly changing environments.
• Passion for technology and continuous improvement.

What You Will Get

Working with a Fortune 100 leader, you can build your career on a global scale and take advantage of development opportunities with emerging technologies. We’ve created an inclusive environment for you to explore your passions, make an impact and do the work that really matters. Join Us.

Additional Information

This position will have the option to be based out of our Chicago, IL; Peoria, IL or Irving, TX offices.

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About Caterpillar

Caterpillar Inc. is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. For nearly 100 years, we’ve been helping customers build a better, more sustainable world and are committed and contributing to a reduced-carbon future. Our innovative products and services, backed by our global dealer network, provide exceptional value that helps customers succeed.

Summary Pay Range: $110,520.00 - $179,640.00

Compensation and benefits offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, job level, market location, job-related knowledge, skills, individual performance and experience. Please note that salary is only one component of total compensation at Caterpillar.

Benefits:

Subject to plan eligibility, terms, and guidelines. This is a summary list of benefits.

• Medical, dental, and vision benefits*
• Paid time off plan (Vacation, Holidays, Volunteer, etc.)*
• 401(k) savings plans*
• Health Savings Account (HSA)*
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)*
• Health Lifestyle Programs*
• Employee Assistance Program*
• Voluntary Benefits and Employee Discounts*
• Career Development*
• Incentive bonus*
• Disability benefits
• Life Insurance
• Parental leave
• Adoption benefits
• Tuition Reimbursement

* These benefits also apply to part-time employees

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position. This employer is not currently hiring foreign national applicants that require or will require sponsorship tied to a specific employer, such as, H, L, TN, F, J, E, O. As a global company, Caterpillar offers many job opportunities outside of the U.S which can be found through our employment website at www.caterpillar.com/careers.

Posting Dates:

Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.

Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.

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