Snowflake Developer

NU USA Northeastern University; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 114,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

Northeastern University is seeking a Snowflake Developer to design and operationalize a scalable data platform. You will handle Snowflake architecture, ELT pipelines, and AI-enabled data products, collaborating with IT and academic units.

The role requires 4–6+ years in data platforms, strong SQL, and experience with Cortex/Snowpark. Hybrid work with on-site collaboration is expected in a fast-paced environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Engineering, or related field.
• 4–6+ years building cloud-native data pipelines or enterprise data platforms; 3–5+ years Snowflake development.
• Experience with Workday, Salesforce, and/or ServiceNow.
• Deep knowledge of Snowflake architecture, warehouses, micro-partitioning, clustering, performance tuning, and cost optimization.
• Strong SQL and ELT development skills (DBT, Fivetran, Informatica).
• Experience with Snowflake Cortex, Snowpark, UDFs, streams, and tasks.
• Familiarity with AI workloads: embeddings, vector search, RAG, LLM orchestration pipelines.
• Understanding of data modeling: data vault, star/snowflake schema, and data products.
• Strong collaboration and communication skills with cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Build and optimize Snowflake schemas, tables, materialized views, stages, and secure data sharing structures.
• Develop performant SQL/ELT code with best practices in clustering and partitioning.
• Monitor workloads and optimize compute, warehouses, and storage.
• Design and develop ELT pipelines with Fivetran, DBT, Informatica, or equivalents.
• Integrate legacy and cloud systems (Banner, Workday, Salesforce, ServiceNow, Azure).
• Build scalable ingestion patterns (batch, event-driven, incremental).
• Work with Snowflake Cortex for AI/ML workloads (embeddings, inference).
• Develop Snowpark Python transformations, UDFs, and ML features.
• Implement vectorized storage and AI-ready data transformations.
• Support RAG/semantic search pipelines and agentic workflows.

Skills

Snowflake development

SQL

ELT pipelines

DBT

Fivetran

Informatica

Snowflake Cortex

Snowpark

UDFs

Vector stores

RAG pipelines

LLM orchestration

Data modeling

Security controls

Education

Bachelor's degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Engineering

Tools

DBT Cloud

GitHub Actions

CI/CD for data pipelines

Kafka

EventHub

Job description

About the Opportunity

Job Summary The Snowflake Developer is responsible for designing, developing, optimizing, and operationalizing Northeastern University’s Snowflake data platform. This role requires deep expertise in Snowflake’s core capabilities—including data modeling, performance tuning, ELT pipelines, security controls, and orchestration—while also preparing the university for advanced AI and data product capabilities using Snowflake Cortex, Snowpark, vectorized storage, and machine-learning features. This developer will work across legacy data structures (Banner, Workday, Salesforce, ServiceNow, and other enterprise systems) and build modern, scalable data pipelines and transformations that enable analytics, automation, applied AI, and agentic workflows. This role is foundational to transforming our data platform into an AI-ready environment.

This role requires occasional availability outside of traditional working hours to address urgent business needs as they arise, including, but not limited to, responding to security incidents, supporting software deployments, resolving system issues, and addressing other critical operational requirements.

• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. The University is unable to work sponsor for this role, now or in the future.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Information Systems, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field required
• Experience: 4–6+ years of experience building cloud-native data pipelines or enterprise data platforms. 3–5+ years of direct Snowflake development experience. Demonstrated ability to modernize legacy data structures and migrate workloads into Snowflake. Experience working with enterprise systems such as Workday, Salesforce, and/or ServiceNow.
• Technical Competencies: Deep knowledge of Snowflake architecture, warehouses, micro-partitioning, clustering, performance tuning, and cost optimization. Strong SQL and ELT development skills including DBT, Fivetran, Informatica, or similar tools. Experience with Snowflake Cortex, Snowpark, UDFs, dynamic tables, streams, and tasks. Familiarity with AI workloads: embeddings, vector search, RAG, LLM orchestration pipelines. Experience with ETL/ELT frameworks, API integrations, and event streaming (Kafka/EventHub). Understanding of data modeling, data vault, star/snowflake schema, and data products.
• Required Skills: Ability to write clean, optimized SQL and pipeline code. Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills with ability to diagnose poorly performing workloads. Ability to translate business requirements into Snowflake data structures and pipelines. Strong collaboration and communication skills with cross-functional technical and non-technical teams. Ability to prioritize workload in a fast-paced environment with shifting needs.

Preferred Qualifications

• SnowPro Core, SnowPro Advanced, or Snowflake Solutions Architect certifications.
• Experience with Snowflake’s AI/ML stack (Cortex, Snowpark ML, Vector Stores).
• Experience with DBT Cloud, GitHub Actions, CI/CD for data pipelines.
• Experience enabling AI workflows in Snowflake (RAG, inference endpoints, embeddings).
• Experience in higher education or other federated organizations.

24/7 operational support

This role requires occasional availability outside of traditional working hours to address urgent business needs as they arise, including, but not limited to, responding to security incidents, supporting software deployments, resolving system issues, and addressing other critical operational requirements. The ideal candidate must be proactive and adaptable, ensuring minimal disruption to business operations by promptly addressing any issues, regardless of time or day. Flexibility and a strong sense of urgency are essential for success in this position.

Other duties as required

This role requires flexibility in performing duties outside of the primary responsibilities to support evolving business needs. The ideal candidate must be adaptable and willing to take on additional tasks or projects as required, ensuring smooth operations across the organization. This may include stepping in to assist with cross-functional teams, handling unexpected challenges, or contributing to initiatives that support business growth and success. A proactive mindset and the ability to pivot quickly are essential for thriving in this dynamic environment.

Hybrid work schedule

This role is hybrid and in the office three days a week to facilitate collaboration and teamwork. In-office presence is an essential part of our on-campus culture and allows for engaging directly with staff and students, sharing ideas, and contributing to a dynamic work environment. Being on-site allows for stronger connections, more effective problem-solving, and enhanced team synergy, all of which are key to achieving our collective goals and driving success.

Key Accountabilities & responsibilities

Snowflake Development & Optimization

• Build and maintain Snowflake schemas, tables, dynamic tables, materialized views, file formats, stages, and secure data sharing structures.
• Develop performant SQL/ELT code using Snowflake best practices, including clustering, micro-partitioning, and query profiling.
• Monitor workloads and optimize compute usage, warehouses, and storage for cost and performance efficiency.

Data Pipeline & Integration Development

• Design and develop ELT pipelines with Fivetran, DBT, Informatica, or equivalent tools.
• Integrate legacy and cloud systems (Banner, Workday, Salesforce, ServiceNow, Azure) into Snowflake.
• Build scalable ingestion patterns including batch, event-driven, and incremental data pipelines.

AI & Advanced Snowflake Capabilities

• Work with Snowflake Cortex for AI/ML workloads including embedding generation, LLM inference, and cognitive search.
• Develop Snowpark Python transformations, UDFs, and machine-learning features.
• Implement vectorized storage, model-serving patterns, and AI-ready data transformations.
• Support RAG/semantic search pipelines and agentic workflows leveraging Snowflake-native AI features.

Data Quality, Governance & Security

• Implement data quality rules, metadata tagging, lineage tracking, and documentation.
• Manage roles, RBAC, masking policies, and compliance with FERPA/GDPR/security controls.
• Ensure all datasets and products meet consistency, reliability, and discoverability standards.

Collaboration & Cross-Functional Support

• Partner with data architects, data engineers, analytics teams, and domain stewards.
• Support academic and administrative units requiring Snowflake solutions.
• Troubleshoot, monitor, and improve existing data products in partnership with business and IT stakeholders.

Position Type

Information Technology

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer. Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation.

Compensation Grade/Pay Type: 113S Expected Hiring Range: $113,865.00 - $165,105.00 With the pay range(s) shown above, the starting salary will depend on several factors, which may include your education, experience, location, knowledge and expertise, and skills as well as a pay comparison to similarly-situated employees already in the role. Salary ranges are reviewed regularly and are subject to change.

will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Founded in 1898, Northeastern is a global research university and the recognized leader in experiential lifelong learning. Our approach of integrating real-world experience with education, research, and innovation empowers our students, faculty, alumni, and partners to create worldwide impact.

Our global university system provides our community and academic, government, and industry partners with unique opportunities to think locally and act globally. The system—including 14 campuses across the U.S., U.K., and Canada, 300,000-plus alumni, and 3,000 partners worldwide—serves as a platform for scaling ideas, talent, and solutions.

The university’s residential campuses for undergraduate and graduate degrees are located in Boston, London, and Oakland, California. Our research and graduate campuses are in the Massachusetts communities of Burlington and Nahant; Arlington, Virginia; Charlotte, North Carolina; Miami; Portland, Maine; Seattle; Silicon Valley, California; Toronto; and Vancouver.

Northeastern’s personalized, experiential undergraduate and graduate programs lead to degrees through the doctorate in 10 colleges and schools across our campuses. Learning emphasizes the intersection of data, technology, and human literacies, uniquely preparing graduates for careers of the future and lives of fulfillment and accomplishment.

Our research enterprise, with an R1 Carnegie classification, is solutions oriented and spans the world. Our faculty scholars and students work in teams that cross not just disciplines, but also sectors—aligned around solving today’s highly interconnected global challenges and focused on transformative impact for humankind.