Lead Data Engineer

Rocky Mountain Institute•Remote - Colorado, CO

4d•$93,890 - $115,720•Remote

About The Position

RMI is transforming the global energy system to secure a clean, prosperous, zero-carbon future for all. RMI is building a Data and AI Engineering team to enhance access to both internal business systems and external data sources. The Lead Data Engineer will support this initiative, working alongside a multi-disciplinary team, and will be a key contributor to pipelines, infrastructure, and AI-enhanced capabilities. You will report to the Data Engineering Manager on the Strategic Operations team. A successful candidate will be adept at cloud data storage and design, ETL/ELT pipelines, and associated coding languages, with keen attention to detail and a strong desire to support the energy transition.

Requirements

3-5 years of professional or internship experience in data engineering, data science, or a related field
Proficiency in Python for data processing, scripting, and automation
Working knowledge of R for data analysis and statistical tasks
Familiarity with Git or similar version control technology
Working knowledge of integrating LLM APIs (e.g., OpenAI, Anthropic) into data workflows or applications, including via MCP servers
Experience writing SQL queries and working with relational databases
Exposure to cloud-based data workflows; familiarity with Microsoft Azure is a plus
Comfort working across multiple projects simultaneously in a collaborative, evolving environment
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to collaborate with non-technical stakeholders

Nice To Haves

Hands-on experience with Azure cloud services (Azure SQL, Azure Functions, Azure Blob Storage, or similar)
Familiarity with ETL/ELT concepts and data pipeline design patterns
Experience with data modeling best practices
Experience building lightweight internal web tools or APIs
Experience with data visualization tools such as Power BI
Familiarity with Salesforce, Workday, or similar enterprise data sources, especially working with their APIs
Experience working in a non-profit environment
Demonstrated interest in energy, climate, or sustainability sectors

Responsibilities

Support the development and maintenance of data ingestion pipelines between internal business systems (e.g., Workday, Salesforce)
Support the development of internal AI-enhanced applications, integrating LLMs via API and MCP
Assist in building and maintaining relational databases, including MySQL and PostgreSQL schemas, to support internal dashboards, applications, and reporting
Help implement data reliability and monitoring features across existing data flows
Deploy and manage Azure cloud resources (database, storage, web app, function app) based on project needs and templates defined by senior staff
Assist with the development testing, and deployment of various connectors (i.e., MCP servers, APIs) for general purpose AI tools (i.e., ChatGPT, Claude)
Write clean, reusable code primarily in Python and R to automate data processing tasks and support analytical workflows
Collaborate with operations staff and non-technical stakeholders to develop a strong working knowledge of data processes and upstream/downstream impact
Assist in migrating siloed or manual data processes into centralized, accessible systems
Work with the IT team to ensure security and fidelity of cloud data services

Benefits

Medical, dental, vision insurance
403b retirement match with immediate vesting
Group life, AD&D, and short- and long-term disability
Optional voluntary life, AD&D and accident plans
Health savings or flexible spending accounts
Fertility and hormonal health support
Mental health and wellness support
Comprehensive leaves of absence (including generous parental leave)
Generous paid time off and sick leave
Paid sabbatical leave
Regional holidays with at least one extended break in each geography
Work from home and home technology allowances
Learning & development opportunities (LinkedIn Learning and an annual individual professional development budget)
Potential for bonuses and merit increases
Discount marketplace (gym memberships, pet insurance, etc.)
Hybrid / remote work options
Team retreats and geographic meetups
Rewards and recognition programs