Senior Manager, Data Engineering

KIPP Foundation

1d • Remote

About The Position

The Senior Manager, Data Engineering is responsible for creating, managing, and optimizing data engineering pipelines and data platform operations, and partnering with stakeholders to gather requirements and define data solution architecture. This is a hands-on role that plans, drives, and tracks delivery of data platforms and solutions, including ETL, pipelines, data models, and monitoring controls. The role leads sprint planning and completion to meet business needs while implementing and continuously improving solutions.

The position owns delivery of data architecture and pipeline solutions, develops a governed semantic layer for business intelligence, oversees sprint and release operations, and establishes data quality, monitoring, and operational controls. It will also establish foundational capabilities for MLOps, machine learning, feature engineering, and ML/AI platform integration as organizational needs develop. The role works closely with cross-functional stakeholders, guides data engineering team members, and manages and develops one or more employees or contractors as needed.

The role reports to the Senior Director of Data Management & Governance. It is a full-time, exempt position with low travel (10%, or approximately 20 days per year). A KIPP Foundation office location in New York City or Chicago is preferred but not required; the role may be performed remotely full-time.

Requirements

• At least 8 years of professional experience in data engineering, infrastructure engineering, or a closely related technical field.
• Experience with SQL-based data platforms such as SQL Server and modern cloud data warehouse or lakehouse platforms such as Fabric/OneLake, Snowflake, or Databricks.
• Demonstrated experience managing agile sprint operations and DevOps metrics, and proficiency with JIRA or a similar tool for project and sprint planning, backlog and workflow management, tracking, and issue resolution.
• Experience with version control and CI/CD workflows using Git and platforms such as Bitbucket, GitHub, or Azure DevOps.
• Strong technical proficiency in SSIS, Spark, PySpark, and SQL.
• Demonstrated experience managing data platform operations and building and managing ETLs and pipelines.
• Experience managing and mentoring data engineers.
• Understanding of machine learning workflows and ML/AI enablement for data platforms.
• Bachelor’s degree in data engineering, computer science, or a related field.
• Knowledge and skills in on-premises and cloud-based data platform management and architecture, CI/CD, ETL/data pipelines, version control, agile sprint operations, project management tools, and machine learning principles.
• Ability to plan and manage multiple workstreams, competing priorities, and stakeholder partnerships; develop and execute project plans; and follow through on commitments.
• Ability to develop and coach teammates, set performance and development goals, and provide timely, actionable feedback.
• Passion for and commitment to KIPP’s mission and ability to uphold its Core Values.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with SQL Server and Microsoft Fabric/OneLake.
• Master’s degree.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end delivery of data architecture and pipeline solutions, including planning, requirements gathering, design, build, and testing strategy based on business needs.
• Design and evolve the semantic layer as a well-governed single source of truth for business intelligence and ensure it meets reporting needs.
• Lead sprint planning and operations; manage execution, release planning, and release delivery, addressing dependencies and blockers and ensuring timely outcomes.
• Track and analyze sprint delivery metrics, operational efficiency, and DevOps performance to support continuous improvement.
• Design and operationalize a data quality framework with proactive monitoring, alerting, root cause analysis, troubleshooting, resolution, and impact and sizing assessments for critical pipelines.
• Establish foundational capabilities for MLOps, machine learning, feature engineering, and ML/AI platform integration as organizational needs mature.
• Manage and continuously improve data architecture and pipelines, including monitoring standards and operational controls.
• Partner with Analytics, Application Development, Data Collection Strategy & Operations, IT Operations, Product Management, and Regional Data Systems & Strategy teams to communicate and execute project plans for owned workstreams.
• Manage competing priorities to ensure data availability and accuracy, and communicate progress, risks, and dependencies through consistent tracking mechanisms.
• Guide team members in developing data solutions, strong data quality practices, review standards, and current documentation.
• Manage and develop one or more employees or contractors, setting clear expectations and providing timely feedback and coaching.

Benefits

• 25 holidays plus 18 additional flexible PTO days; flexible PTO increases to 23 days in years 3 and 4 and 28 days in years 5 and beyond.
• 100% paid parental leave.
• 100% coverage of the employee premium and 75% coverage for employee-plus-family medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Wellness benefits, including fitness reimbursements, discounted tickets to theme parks and attractions, backup care support for children and adults or elders, and an employee assistance program.
• 401(k) retirement plan with a 4% match.
• Employer-sponsored legal plans.
• Life and disability insurance.
• Flexible spending accounts.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior