Sr. Data Engineer | ITP-A, Exempt

City-of-Seattle; Seattle (WA); Hybrid; USD 178,399,000 - 267,658,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Public transit benefits

Job summary

The City of Seattle is seeking a Senior Data Engineer to support the Seattle Police Department’s Data Analytics Platform (DAP) and related data systems. This role leads data engineering and data science collaboration to ensure scalable, secure analytics for public safety operations in an AWS analytics environment.

Responsibilities include building scalable data pipelines, improving observability, and guiding migration and architecture decisions across cloud and on-premises stores.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience with database technologies, SQL, scripting, and ETL/ELT/tools.
• 4+ years delivering data solutions: data warehouses, ODS, analytics models.
• 3+ years building reliable, observable data pipelines and CI/CD workflows.
• 3+ years designing large-scale analytics architectures with AWS cloud services.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain scalable, secure data pipelines and ETL/ELT processes.
• Ensure pipeline observability, testability, reliability, and workflow automation via CI/CD and monitoring.
• Plan and implement improvements across AWS-based analytics systems and on-premises stores.
• Provide—AWS data resource provisioning, optimization, and cost management guidance.
• Collaborate with data scientists, architects, developers, and other teams to deliver data products.

Skills

Database proficiency

SQL & ETL

Data warehouse design

AWS cloud services

Agile tools (Jira/Confluence)

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/IS

Tools

Oracle

SQL Server

PostgreSQL

AWS CloudFormation

S3

Glue

Python

Spark

Lambda

Athena

Job description

NOTE:

Equivalent combinations of education/experience/training will be considered for the required qualifications except where specifically noted.

The City of Seattle Information Technology (IT) Department is seeking a Senior Data Engineer to support the Seattle Police Department’s Data Analytics Platform (DAP) and related data systems. This position is part of a collaborative team that provides technical leadership across data engineering and data science functions, ensuring reliable, scalable, and secure analytics capabilities for public safety operations.

The role supports an AWS-based data warehouse and analytics environment that powers public safety reporting, operational analysis, and the City’s commitments to data transparency and equitable service delivery. The data generated by this platform is high-visibility and high-stakes, informing decisions made by department leadership, City officials, oversight bodies, and the public.

As a city, Seattle is recognized as a progressive leader in technology, innovation, and environmental stewardship. As an employer, the City of Seattle continues to lead local government in advancing environmental responsibility, social justice, and equitable services - values that shape both the city’s identity today and its vision for the future. The City’s workforce plays a critical role in making this progress possible.

Seattle IT is a trusted partner that provides secure, reliable, and compliant technologies, enabling the City of Seattle to deliver equitable and responsive services to residents. This purpose statement reflects Seattle IT’s role and mission: it serves as a guide to ensure the department stays focused on why its work matters and remains committed to solving complex challenges. It underscores that Seattle IT exists to support City partners and is part of a larger organization working collectively to improve the lives of Seattle’s residents.

More than 600 professionals across Seattle IT contribute to the full spectrum of modern IT services, creating a dynamic environment with diverse career opportunities. We hope you will consider joining us.

Key Responsibilities:

• Build and maintain scalable, secure, high-performance data pipelines and ETL/ELT processes.


• Ensure pipeline observability, testability, reliability, and workflow automation via CI/CD and monitoring.


• Plan and implement improvements across AWS-based analytics systems, on-premises data stores, and analytical models.


• Provision, manage, and optimize AWS data resources.


• Collaborate with data scientists, architects, developers, and other technical teams to deliver well-engineered data products.


• Develop clear documentation for pipelines, architecture, and data models.


• Review code, mentor teammates, and support skill development.


• Define and enforce standards for schema evolution, versioning, and overall data quality.


• Monitor and remediate security vulnerabilities identified by AWS Inspector.


• Research and recommend future-state analytics solutions, evaluating feasibility, cost, business value, and resource impacts for leadership.

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, business information systems, database management or a related degree. (Or an equivalent combination of experience in lieu of a degree.)

Required Experience:

• 5+ years of demonstrated proficiency with database technologies, SQL, scripting, performance optimization, scheduling, and integration tools such as Oracle, SQL Server, PostgreSQL), scripting, ETL/ELT tools, scheduling, and integration frameworks.


• 4+ years of demonstrated experience delivering data solutions that support business and operational needs, including developing data warehouses, operational data stores, and analytics models


• 3+ years of demonstrated experience designing reliable, observable, and testable data pipelines, and implementing automation, CI/CD practices, and workflow orchestration.


• 3+ years of demonstrated experience designing and recommending architectures for large-scale analytics initiatives, assessing resource requirements, and working extensively with AWS cloud services. This includes cloud-native analytics tools such as CloudFormation, S3, Glue, Python, Spark, Lambda and Athena, and the ability to design, build, and support cloud-based data warehouses, datamarts, and curated data stores, data migrations, resource provisioning, and security, privacy, and cost-management principles.


• Demonstrated experience working in Agile environments using tools such as Jira, Confluence, SharePoint, and Teams.

Desired Qualifications:

• Strong written, verbal, and visual communication skills, with the ability to tailor technical information for diverse audiences.


• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with customers who have high expectations by guiding discussions toward clear, actionable business requirements and translating those requirements into effective, well-structured solution designs.


• Ability to collaborate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders and communicate architectural recommendations clearly.


• Experience collaborating with diverse stakeholders such as business owners, program managers, data scientists, data architects, developers, and external partners.


• Skilled at establishing confidence through transparent communication, consistent follow-through, and a structured approach to aligning on priorities, timelines, and deliverables.


• Familiarity with analytics and reporting tools (Tableau) and a commitment to learning emerging data technologies to support future-state analytics planning.


• Experience supporting data science and machine-learning workflows (e.g. feature pipelines, model deployment, SageMaker or similar platforms).

Salary:

The full pay range for this position is $62.26 - $93.41 per hour. The salary for this individual role will be based on experience, training, and internal equity.

Benefits:

The City offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City’s website at https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits. Additionally, we provide free public transportation options.

Telework Expectations:

This position offers flexibility of a hybrid work schedule. At this time, hybrid telework schedules have a minimum requirement of three days onsite per week, which is subject to change at any time at the mayor’s discretion. Individual schedules are based on operational needs and agreement between the employee and their supervisor.

Who May Apply:

This position is open to all qualified candidates that meet the minimum qualifications. The City of Seattle values diverse perspectives and life experiences. Applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex, marital status, disability, religious or political affiliation, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The City encourages people of all backgrounds to apply, including people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ, people with disabilities, veterans, and those with diverse life experience.

Why Join the City of Seattle:

The City of Seattle recognizes that every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways that we courageously share our views and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in the Race and Social Justice Initiative by working to dismantle racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and provide equitable processes and services.

Background Check:

This hiring process involves a background check of conviction and arrest records incompliance with Seattle's Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC14.17. Applicants will be provided with an opportunity to explain or correct background information.

Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) certification

You must pass a criminal background investigation and obtain CJIS certification for work on Seattle Police systems. Visit Qualifications - Police | seattle.gov for specific criteria.