Senior Data Platform Manager

American Institutes for Research; Arlington (VA); Hybrid; USD 144,000 - 168,000; Full time

Job summary

American Institutes for Research is seeking a Senior Data Platform Manager to design, build, and maintain scalable data systems. This hybrid role combines hands‑on technical leadership with people management, mentoring engineers to deliver an enterprise analytics platform, dashboards, and semantic models for informed decision‑making.

The Senior Data Platform Manager will work with the AIR Modernization team and stakeholders across domains, reporting to the Technology Office.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field or 9+ years of professional experience.
• 5–8+ years in data engineering or related roles, including at least 2 years managing or leading engineering teams.
• Strong proficiency in SQL and at least one programming language (Python/Java/Scala); hands‑on data pipelines with Airflow, dbt, or Spark.
• Experience with cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure) and data warehousing technologies (Snowflake, Redshift, BigQuery).
• Experience with governance frameworks, data security, compliance, and regulatory requirements is preferred.
• Experience with distributed systems and agile environment using Jira and Confluence.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, development, and lifecycle management of scalable data pipelines and architectures.
• Partner with stakeholders to define data requirements and deliver solutions.
• Leverage Microsoft Fabric (Lakehouse/Warehouse/OneLake) to implement scalable storage, processing, and semantic models.
• Implement security and governance practices (workspace strategy, permissions, RLS/OLS, certification, and documentation).
• Support delivery processes with standards, code reviews, deployments, version control, and release coordination.
• Manage priorities, timelines, and resources for timely delivery.
• Evaluate new tools and processes to improve data infrastructure.
• Lead, mentor, and grow a small team of data engineers and Power BI developers.
• Stay current with Microsoft analytics capabilities and recommend enhancements.

Skills

SQL

Python/Java/Scala

Airflow

dbt

Spark

Microsoft Fabric

Power BI

Data Warehousing

Governance

Mentoring/Leadership

Jira/Confluence

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Computer Science/Engineering

Tools

AWS

GCP

Azure

Job description

AIR’s Tek Office is seeking an experienced Senior Data Platform Manager to join its talented group. The Senior Data Platform Manager will work closely with the AIR Modernization team and stakeholders across multiple business domains to design, build, and maintain scalable data systems. This role combines hands‑on technical leadership with people management, helping drive data strategy, while mentoring engineers to implement an enterprise analytics platform, interactive dashboards, and semantic models that enable informed decision‑making. This position reports into the Technology Office.

This position offers hybrid work flexibility, requiring three days per week in AIR’s Virginia office, with occasional travel for meetings, training sessions, and conferences.

About AIR:

Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, the American Institutes for Research (AIR) is a nonpartisan, not‑for‑profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to address some of the most pressing challenges in the United States and globally. We generate evidence and apply data‑driven solutions that expand opportunities and improve lives for all.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the design, development, and lifecycle management of scalable, reliable, and efficient data pipelines and architectures.
• Partner withbusiness and technicalstakeholdersto define data requirements and deliver solutions.
• Leverage Microsoft Fabric (Lakehouse/Warehouse/OneLakeas applicable) to implement scalable and secure data storage, processing, and semantic model strategies.
• Implement andmaintainsecurity and governance practices (workspace strategy, permissions, RLS/OLS, endorsement/certification practices, and documentation).
• Support a healthy delivery process by contributing to standards, code reviews, and deployment practices (e.g., dev/test/prod, version control, andreleasecoordination)as well asmaintainingdata security, compliance, and privacy standards.
• Manage project priorities, timelines, and resource allocation to ensuretimelydelivery.
• Evaluate and implement new tools, technologies, and processes to improve data infrastructure.
• Lead, mentor, and grow a small team of data engineers and power BI developers, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Stay current with Microsoft analytics platform capabilities and recommend enhancements that improve usability, reliability, and value.
• Responsibilities may change based on business needs.

Qualifications:

Education, Knowledge, and Experience

• Bachelor’s orMaster’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field orat least 9 years of professional experience.
• 5–8+ years of experience in data engineering or related roles, including at least 2yearsmanaging or leading engineering teams.
• Strongproficiencyin SQL and at least one programming language (e.g., Python, Java, Scala), with hands‑on experience building data pipelines using tools such as Airflow,dbt, or Spark.
• Experience with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, GCP, Azure) and a deep understanding of data warehousing technologies (e.g., Snowflake, Redshift,BigQuery).
• Experience with governance frameworks, environment strategy, data security, compliance, and regulatory requirements is preferred.
• Experience with distributed systems andlarge-scaledata processing, as well as working in an agile environment using tools like Jira and Confluence.

Skills

• Strong communicationskills, with the ability to clearly explain technical concepts to non‑technical stakeholders and senior leaders, incorporate feedback, andalign onsolutions.
• Proven ability to work effectively with both technical and non‑technical internal and external partners, ensuring clarity, collaboration, and shared understanding.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent deliveries in a fast‑paced environment,demonstratingstrong ownership, accountability, a team‑oriented mindset, and a commitment to high‑quality outcomes.
• Collaborative and team‑oriented, with the ability to mentor others,establishstandards, and drive adoption of best practices across the organization.
• Experience collaborating with stakeholders to define requirements, communicate tradeoffs, and deliver analytics; preferred experience with Microsoft tools such as Azure Data Services, Microsoft Fabric, Power BI, or Azure DevOps.

Disclosures:

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full‑time basis. Employment‑based visa sponsorship (including H‑1B sponsorship) is not available for this position. Depending on project work, qualified candidates may need to meet certain residency requirements.

AIR is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law, including, but not limited to, actual or perceived race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braid, locks, and twists), creed, color, religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition (e.g., cancer), sex, gender, gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, civil union status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, genetic information, or military or veteran status. AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo reference and background checks. AIR maintains a drug‑free work environment.

If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a physical or mental disability, please send an email to Taliba Boone at [e-mail] or call 202.403.5000.

AIR’s Total Rewards Program, is designed to reward our staff competitively and motivate them to achieve our critical mission. This position offers the anticipated annual salary as listed. Salary offers are made based on internal equity within the institution and external equity with competitive markets. Please note this is the annual salary range for candidates that are based in the United States.

Anticipated Annual Salary Range

$144,000 — $168,000 USD