Data Engineer

About The Role

In this key position as a Data Engineer at Illuminate Literacy, you will harness the power of cloud-native technologies to architect and manage data pipelines and facilitate the flow of data that empowers our mission to transform learning. Leveraging your expertise in AWS data services, Python, SQL, and data engineering best practices, you will design, build, and optimize data workflows and infrastructures to process large volumes of data efficiently. Your role is critical in upholding data governance and ensuring adherence to our rigorous data management standards. Working in collaboration with cross-functional teams, you will provide the data engineering support necessary to inform decision-making and shape the strategies that advance our educational goals.

This position goes beyond mere data management; it involves crafting scalable and resilient data solutions that drive insights and innovation within the educational technology space. Joining our team means embarking on a path of professional growth and development in a dynamic and supportive environment, where you stay at the cutting edge of AWS data engineering and contribute meaningfully to revolutionizing education.

📌 Our ideal candidate is based in the US and has experience working in remote-first, distributed teams

About the Organization

We are on a mission to unlock the great reader in every child to end illiteracy in our country -- centering the experiences of Black, Latino, and Native American students and students experiencing poverty. We are developing research-based, identity-affirming PK-8+ digital literacy tools that leverage student uniquenesses to help every child master the foundational reading skills needed to become strong, confident readers. We’re currently hiring our founding team of mission-driven individuals committed to helping us develop a scalable, impactful reading product that helps us eradicate illiteracy in America.

Illuminate Literacy is fiscally sponsored by Cambiar Education, a 501c3 that supports transformative leaders of public school systems and educational entrepreneurs to develop innovative solutions that disrupt the patterns of educational inequity.

🔥 Key Highlights 🔥

• Having successfully completed 2 fully digital MVPs in over a dozen schools and out-of-school partners, we're now focusing expanding and scaling in 2024.
• Fully-funded sister R&D organization, AERDF Reading Reimagined, to explore major unknowns in literacy learning for priority students and to bridge cutting-edge research to practice
• Founding team with deep expertise in teaching kids to read, on technology, at scale, comprised of literacy experts, practitioners, designers, engineers, and former education systems leaders. Founded and led by Rebecca Kockler, former Assistant Superintendent of Academic Content for the Louisiana Department of Education and developer of the nationally recognized ELA Guidebooks
• Extensive relationships with major systems leaders across the country requesting to be co-designers and first adopters; 100% retention of current partners year over year
• Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and to an inclusive R&D and product development approach that centers Black, Latino and Native American students and those experiencing poverty

What You’ll Do:

• Architect and Develop Data Pipelines: Leverage AWS services to design and implement scalable and efficient data pipelines, utilizing SQL, Python, and AWS-specific tools for data transformation and processing.
• Ensure Data Governance and Security: Uphold stringent data governance and compliance standards within AWS environments, employing best practices in data security and privacy.
• Provide Actionable Data Insights: Employ advanced analytics to convert complex datasets into clear, actionable insights for business strategy and operational efficiency.
• Respond to Data Requests and Support Reporting Needs: Manage and execute ad-hoc data extraction and reporting requests with accuracy and speed, supporting organizational needs.
• Develop Advanced Analytics and Machine Learning Models: Utilize AWS technologies to build and deploy analytics tools and machine learning models.
• Collaborate Across Teams: Work closely with various departments to understand their data needs and provide analytical support.
• Continuous Learning and Improvement: Stay updated with the latest trends in data analytics and continually enhance your skills and knowledge.
• Problem-Solving and Troubleshooting: Tackle complex data-related problems, providing effective and innovative solutions.

Requirements

This Job is For You If You Have:

• Experience: 6+ years of professional experience in data management, specializing in data engineering.
• Experience in Building Data Analytics Systems: You have a track record of developing analytics tools and systems that can provide actionable insights to product teams.
• Proficiency in Python: You have strong data analysis skills in Python.
• Expertise in SQL: You have a solid background in SQL for complex querying, data extraction, and manipulation.
• Experience with AWS data services such as RDS, Redshift, DynamoDB, Neptune, S3, Timestream, Quicksight.
• Proficiency in Data Reporting: You are skilled in creating and managing ad-hoc data reports with accuracy and efficiency.
• Data Modeling & ETL: Understanding of data modeling principles and experience with ETL processes, including the use of AWS services like AWS Glue and Data Pipeline for data integration tasks.
• Experience in Data Governance and Compliance: You understand the principles of data governance and are familiar with compliance standards in data management.
• Excellent Problem-Solving Abilities: You excel in resolving data-related challenges and providing efficient solutions.
• Analytical Skills: You possess the ability to interpret large datasets, identify trends, and provide actionable insights.
• Strong Communication Skills: You can clearly articulate data insights and findings to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Lifelong Learner: A track record as a voracious, curious, and active learner
• Kindness Towards Others: Humility and kindness towards others and themselves, acknowledging limitations and being open to learning from mistakes and feedback

Benefits

What You’ll Receive:

• Salary range of $145,000 - $160,000 per annum
• Competitive medical, dental, vision benefits
• Opportunity to work remotely for a mission-driven company full of change-makers
• Enjoy the freedom of flexible time off to balance work and personal life, ensuring you stay refreshed and productive.
• 401k with 4% guaranteed match
• Work environment that values balance and harmony with a deep commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion
• Opportunity to travel and meet your team members in-person 2x per year