Lead-Data Engineer

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital•Remote - TN, TN

1d•$94,640 - $169,520

About The Position

The Lead Data Engineer is responsible for designing, building, and supporting enterprise data solutions that enable clinical research, operational excellence, analytics, and data-driven decision-making. This role translates complex business and research requirements into scalable, secure, and maintainable data architectures, integration solutions, and analytics platforms using established development standards, tools, and best practices. In addition to technical leadership, the Lead Data Engineer is expected to drive strategic data initiatives, proactively identify opportunities for process improvement, automation, AI adoption, and data modernization, and provide expert guidance on emerging technologies that support clinical research and institutional objectives. The Lead Data Engineer serves as a technical lead for complex projects, providing end-to-end ownership from requirements gathering and solution design through implementation, documentation, deployment, and operational support. The role requires strong prioritization, stakeholder engagement, communication, and project management skills to successfully manage multiple initiatives and ensure timely delivery of high-quality solutions. This position is responsible for ensuring solutions meet functional, technical, governance, security, and compliance requirements while adhering to St. Jude development standards and architectural principles. The Lead Data Engineer also monitors and optimizes databases, data warehouses, cloud platforms, ETL pipelines, and scheduling processes to ensure system reliability, performance, scalability, and data quality. The successful candidate will demonstrate leadership through proactive communication, meaningful participation in cross-functional discussions, high-quality technical documentation, mentorship of team members, and a commitment to continuous improvement. Experience with AI-enabled technologies, advanced analytics, and data engineering solutions supporting clinical research, healthcare, or regulated environments is highly desirable. The successful candidate will demonstrate leadership through proactive communication, meaningful participation in cross-functional discussions, high-quality technical documentation, mentorship of team members, and a commitment to continuous improvement. Experience with AI-enabled technologies, advanced analytics, and data engineering solutions supporting clinical research, healthcare, or regulated environments is highly desirable.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in computer science, data science, information science, business, or related field required.
Minimum requirement: 5+ progressive years of IT experience including strong database design, data architecture and data transform processes.
Experience in data architecture and design.
Some experience with data governance including implementation of a data governance framework.
Experience with leading industrial tools for data lake, big data, or ETL.
Experience with enterprise reporting tools for development of reports as applicable.
Experience creating dashboards using data visualization tools (e.g. PBI, Tableau, Qlik, and data warehousing applications) and source control systems (e.g., Epic, Workday) as applicable.
Some experience and knowledge in Master Data Management and Data Dictionary Standards.
Some experience with regulatory requirements and standards as applicable.
Experience providing technical guidance and mentorship within Data Engineering.
Proven performance in earlier role/comparable role.
Ability to think critically, draw insights and connect the dots. Openness to change and adapting to changing times with resilience and flexibility.
Demonstrates strong knowledge/skills within area on a consistent basis to solve complex problems independently
Able to draw insights from different sets of data and quickly understand why issues are happening. Solves problems quickly by identifying the root causes. Encourages others to see the opportunities ahead amidst changing circumstances even when the details have not been finalized.
Skills in communicating complex ideas effectively to diverse audiences and influence others to see different points of view.
Leads team meetings on an as needed basis and effectively communicates with cross-functional teams for results. Understands and uses digital tools of communication as needed. Speaks up in meetings, raises concerns, and shares information with team.
Focus on setting high targets, following through with actions, and achieving results. Ability to anticipate roadblocks and circumvent challenges.
Remains calm in challenging and uncertain times by focusing on the end goals and solving problems. Defuses any unforeseen developments and problems by leveraging data analysis and insights. Maintains focus on goals. Drives engagement and ownership for group to deliver ambitious results and solutions.
Skills in prioritizing and addressing needs from multiple customers/stakeholders with a focus on efficient, responsive, high-quality/fit-for-purpose delivery.
Is able to apply knowledge/skills within own area to deliver tasks with limited guidance
Promptly and effectively responds to customer queries and requests. Explores optimal solutions for customer needs. Escalates/redirects effectively for quicker customer support.
Knowledge of data management & analytics systems, processes, tools, and methodologies.
Leverages advanced knowledge/ skills within area to identify and implement new/improved processes/approaches
Highly skilled in working with databases, high-density data types, and internal/external data sources (as required) to design data warehouse structure and analytics processes within own area. Highly skilled in data integration, harmonization, and institutional master data management. Works with cross-functional teams to bridge and integrate relevant data for best business outcomes. Leads efforts to upgrade data processing infrastructure (e.g. databases, data flow pipelines, reporting & visualization servers) and processes in line with emerging business needs. Identifies opportunities for new technology adoption with the ability to build supporting business case.
Ability to take accountability for work outcomes and proactively account for interdependencies across adjacent work areas.
Thinks holistically and plans for interdependencies and impact of work and processes with other teams within and outside of IT. Always focused on quality, costs, sustainability from a complete ownership mindset and approach. Demonstrates a strong collaborative style with emotional empathy and is able to work/ negotiate through challenging situations.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree preferred.
Experience with AI-enabled technologies, advanced analytics, and data engineering solutions supporting clinical research, healthcare, or regulated environments is highly desirable.
Experience evaluating or working with Epic is highly desirable, especially where that experience includes translating clinical, administrative, or operational workflow pain points into product requirements, business cases, or adoption plans preferred.
Working experience with Common data models like I2B2/OMOP/PCORnet is preferred
Working knowledge of commercially available AI and GenAI solutions, including healthcare products and enterprise copilots or assistants preferred.
Experience with other enterprise platforms such as Microsoft, ServiceNow, Workday, or comparable healthcare and business technology products preferred.

Responsibilities

Participate in development of data strategy supporting business and organizational objectives.
Provide expert knowledge of industry best practices related to own area (e.g., data management, data integration, pipeline process architecture, data reporting and visualization, data warehousing).
Lead the design and implementation of harmonized data models and database solutions for people to query, extract, and visualize data in an efficient manner.
Implement and monitor overall data governance strategy in line with organizational expectations, regulatory requirements, and standards.
Work with domain experts and other IT staff to develop secure data sharing solutions.
Examine and identify database structural necessities by evaluating operational processes, research needs, and data systems.
Research new technologies and tools that will add value to services and data management.
Mentor junior team members in data management systems and practices.
Investigates and troubleshoots complex data integration issues.
Monitor database and data ingest pipeline performance and implement improvements to data systems for on-prem and cloud-based systems.
(For Analytics Development) Lead complex projects/processes end-to-end within area (e.g., dashboard design, deployment, advanced data visualization, automated reporting applications, coding, testing, debugging, file maintenance routines, and documentation of both Database design and analytics tools).
Mentor junior team members in data management systems and practices.
Perform other duties as assigned to meet the goals and objectives of the department and institution.
Maintains regular and predictable attendance.