Resp & Qualifications
PURPOSE:
The Lead Data Engineer is responsible for orchestrating, deploying, maintaining and scaling Cloud OR on-premise infrastructure targeting big data and platform data management (Relational and NoSQL, distributed and converged) with emphasis on reliability, automation and performance. This role will focus on leading the development of solutions and helping transform the company's platforms deliver data-driven, meaningful insights and value to company.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
Lead the team to design, configure, implement, monitor, and manage all aspects of Data Integration Framework. Defines and develop the Data Integration best practices for the data management environment of optimal performance and reliability.
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Develops and maintains infrastructure systems (e.g., data warehouses, data lakes) including data access APIs. Prepares and manipulates data using Hadoop or equivalent MapReduce platform.
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Provides detailed guidance and performs work related to Modeling Data Warehouse solutions in the Cloud OR on-premise. Understands Dimensional Modeling, De-normalized Data Structures, OLAP, and Data Warehousing concepts.
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Oversees the delivery of engineering data initiatives and projects. Supports long term data initiatives as well as Ad-Hoc analysis and ELT/ETL activities. Creates data collection frameworks for structured and unstructured data. Applies data extraction, transformation and loading techniques in order to connect large data sets from a variety of sources.
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Enforces the implementation of best practices for data auditing, scalability, reliability and application performance. Develop and apply data extraction, transformation and loading techniques in order to connect large data sets from a variety of sources.
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Interprets data, analyzes results using statistical techniques, and provides ongoing reports. Executes quantitative analyses that translate data into actionable insights. Provides analytical and data-driven decision-making support for key projects. Designs, manages, and conducts quality control procedures for data sets using data from multiple systems.
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Improves data delivery engineering job knowledge by attending educational workshops; reviewing professional publications; establishing personal networks; benchmarking state-of-the-art practices; participating in professional societies.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:
Position does not have direct reports but is expected to assist in guiding and mentoring less experienced staff. May lead a team of matrixed resources.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Education Level: Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science, Information Technology or Engineering or related field OR in lieu of a bachelor's degree, an additional 4 years of relevant work experience is required in addition to the required work experience.
Experience: 8 years' Experience in leading data engineering and cross functional team to implement scalable and fine-tuned ETL/ELT solutions for optimal performance. Experience developing and updating ETL/ELT scripts. Hands-on experience with application development, relational database layout, development, data modeling.
Preferred Qualifications:
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Proven hands-on experienced AWS Redshift Administrator to engineer, operate, secure, and optimize our cloud data warehouse platform, with the preferred qualifications:
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AWS Certified Data Analytics Specialty
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AWS Certified Solutions Architect
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Experience in regulated or enterprise environments.
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Experience with cloud migrations.
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Experience with data lake architectures.
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Hands-on experience administering Redshift at enterprise scale (RA3/Serverless/Spectrum), including scaling, patching, backups/snapshots, and disaster recovery.
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Proven Redshift performance tuning (WLM/concurrency scaling, sort/dist keys, compression/encoding) with a focus on cost optimization.
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Strong security and governance background (IAM, KMS/TLS encryption, row/column-level controls, audit logging, compliance).
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Experience integrating Redshift with S3/Glue/Lake Formation and supporting ETL/ELT pipelines, Spectrum, and external schemas.
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Automation/DevOps mindset: Infrastructure as Code (Terraform/CloudFormation) plus CI/CD and blue/green deployment practices.
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Operational excellence: CloudWatch/system-view monitoring, alerting, incident response, and root-cause analysis.
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Experience with data warehousing best practices (dimensional modeling, ELT patterns, data quality checks, and SLAs).
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Proficiency with scripting for automation and operations (Python and/or Bash), including building runbooks and self-healing jobs.
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Strong AWS networking fundamentals supporting Redshift (VPC, subnets, security groups, routing, PrivateLink/VPC endpoints).
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Background in warehouse migrations/modernization (e.g., sizing, cutover planning, data validation, and rollback strategies).
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Experience designing workload isolation and service tiers (WLM queues, query priorities, and governance for multi-team usage).
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Familiarity with common analytics engineering and orchestration tools (dbt, Airflow, Glue workflows, Step Functions).
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Strong observability/FinOps practices for data platforms (dashboards, SLOs, anomaly detection, chargeback/showback).
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Excellent documentation and stakeholder communication skills, including publishing standards, architecture diagrams, and operational playbooks.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)
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Knowledge and understanding of at least one programming language (i.e., SQL, NoSQL, Python).
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Knowledge and understanding of database design and implementation concepts.
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Knowledge and understanding of data exchange formats.
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Knowledge and understanding of data movement concepts.
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Strong technical and analytical and problem-solving skills to troubleshoot to solve a variety of problems.
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Requires strong organizational and communication skills, written and verbal, with the ability to handle multiple priorities.
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Able to effectively provide direction to and lead technical teams.
Salary Range: $115,200 - $228,800
Salary Range Disclaimer
The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the work is being performed. This compensation range is specific and considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, internal peer equity, and market and business consideration. It is not typical for an individual to be hired at the top of the range, as compensation decisions depend on each case's facts and circumstances, including but not limited to experience, internal equity, and location. In addition to your compensation, CareFirst offers a comprehensive benefits package, various incentive programs/plans, and 401k contribution programs/plans (all benefits/incentives are subject to eligibility requirements).
Department
Informatics Database Administration
Equal Employment Opportunity
CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield is an Equal Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of the Company to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.
Where To Apply
Please visit our website to apply: www.carefirst.com/careers
Federal Disc/Physical Demand
Note: The incumbent is required to immediately disclose any debarment, exclusion, or other event that makes him/her ineligible to perform work directly or indirectly on Federal health care programs.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The associate is primarily seated while performing the duties of the position. Occasional walking or standing is required. The hands are regularly used to write, type, key and handle or feel small controls and objects. The associate must frequently talk and hear. Weights up to 25 pounds are occasionally lifted.
Sponsorship in US
Must be eligible to work in the U.S. without Sponsorship.
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