Principal Data Engineer

EAB

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

At EAB, the mission is to make education smarter and communities stronger by working with over 2,800 institutions to drive transformative change through data-driven insights and best-in-class capabilities across various educational stages. EAB partners with leaders and practitioners to accelerate progress in enrollment, student success, institutional strategy, data analytics, and advancement, tailoring solutions to meet unique needs. The Principal Data Engineer, also known as Data Solutions Lead (DSL), is responsible for designing high-impact data and analytics solutions to help higher education institutions leverage their data within the Edify platform. This role combines data architecture, partner strategy, and product innovation, partnering with Strategic Leaders, Data Engineers, and Product teams to translate complex institutional challenges into scalable, well-architected data solutions. Unlike traditional data engineering, the DSL focuses on leading discovery, shaping solution design, guiding implementation, and ensuring solutions align with partner goals, are technically sound, and positioned for long-term success. EAB seeks a leader who can connect data systems to real-world impact, offering technical depth and consultative strength to modernize data ecosystems and explore advanced analytics and AI-driven solutions. This position is ideally based out of EAB's Washington, D.C. or Richmond, VA office, and is open to remote work within the continental U.S. Occasional travel (up to ~12 days annually) may be required. Candidates are also being considered at the Senior Data Engineer level.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent professional experience
• 8+ years of experience in data architecture, analytics consulting, or related roles
• Strong proficiency in SQL, experience writing and code-reviewing complex stored procedures, and working knowledge of data transformation and modeling concepts
• Experience designing data pipelines, integrations, and ware house structures
• Deep understanding of how data flows across systems and how it is used to drive business decisions
• Demonstrated ability to translate ambiguous problems into structured, actionable solutions
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to engage both technical and non-technical audiences
• Detail-oriented with ability to multitask and adapt to changing priorities

Nice To Haves

• Experience working directly with external stakeholders in a consulting or client-facing capacity
• Familiarity with cloud data ecosystems (AWS preferred) and modern data stack concepts
• Experience guiding data strategy, analytics roadmaps, or system design decisions
• Exposure to advanced analytics, predictive modeling, or AI/ML use cases
• Ability to recognize patterns across implementations and drive reusable, scalable solutions
• Experience in higher education or similarly complex data environments
• SPM certifications or demonstrated planning, organizing and time management skills
• Commitment to embracing a continual learning environment and contributing to a dynamic and welcoming culture of fairness, authenticity, and belonging in support of EAB’s mission, values, and aspiration

Responsibilities

• Lead discovery engagements with institutional stakeholders to translate business questions into clear data and analytic requirements
• Design end-to-end data solutions, including data models, integrations, transformation logic, and reporting structures that align with Edify platform best practices and long-term partner data strategy
• Serve as a trusted technical advisor to partners, guiding them through complex data challenges and opportunities to expand impact through improved data usage, reporting, and analytics
• Mentor or manage Data Engineers and collaborate with Technical Project Managers to guide implementation of designed solutions
• Identify, investigate, and resolve performance and production issues, proactively recognizing recurring patterns and developing scalable solutions to prevent future occurrences
• Contribute to the development of advanced capabilities, including predictive analytics, automation, and AI-driven use cases
• Provide structured feedback to Product and Engineering teams to inform platform evolution

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance plans; dependents and domestic partners eligible
• 20+ days of PTO annually, in addition to paid firm and floating holidays
• Daytime leave policy for community service and flextime for fitness activities (up to 10 hours per month each)
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with annual discretionary company matching contribution
• Health savings account, healthcare and dependent care flexible spending account, and pre-tax commuter plans
• Employee assistance program with counseling services and resources available to all employees and immediate family
• Wellness programs including gym discounts, incentives to promote healthy living, and family access to the leading app for sleep, meditation, and relaxation
• Fertility treatment coverage and adoption or surrogacy assistance
• Paid parental leave with phase back to work program for birthing and non-birthing parents
• Access to milk shipping service to support nursing employees during business travel
• Discounted pet health insurance coverage for dog and cat family members
• Company-provided life, AD&D, and disability insurance
• Financial wellness resources and membership in a robust employee discount program
• Access to employee resource groups, merit-based advancement, and dynamic professional growth opportunities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees