Principal Data Engineer

The Executive Office of Technology Services and Security (EOTSS) is the lead enterprise technology organization for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Charged with driving the ongoing alignment of business and technology across the Commonwealth’s Executive Branch, EOTSS oversees and manages the enterprise technology, digital infrastructure and services, as well as the Commonwealth Security Operations Center and an enterprise Standard Operating Environment that includes an information security and risk management framework for over 125 state agencies and over 43,000 state employees.  We directly serve our constituents by providing digital services and tools that enable taxpayers, drivers, businesses, visitors, families and other citizens to do business with the Commonwealth in a way that makes every interaction with government easier, faster, and more secure.

Our Mission: We provide technology leadership across the Commonwealth to enhance the quality of public service and foster positive community outcomes.  

The Massachusetts Data Office (MDO) at EOTSS is hiring a Principal Data Engineer to lead our engineering team. The MDO is the central data office for the Commonwealth. We manage enterprise data programs and initiatives and partner with state agencies to build analytics products that promote data transparency and facilitate evidence-based policy and decision-making.

As a Principal Data Engineer, you’ll lead a team of Engineering professionals to develop and maintain smart, secure data systems and pipelines, enable analytics for data-driven decision-making, and build capacity for innovation in government. As part of the Commonwealth’s central data team, you’ll be on the front lines working to improve the value of our data systems across state government.

A Principal Data Engineer on our team is:

• A technical expert leading a high-performing team to develop, construct, test and maintain sound, secure data architectures that meet business needs
• A team-oriented specialist who works collaboratively with business leaders, project managers, and across technical teams to build the right thing
• A strategic thinker who improves the functionality and value of the Commonwealth’s data system

This position is a full-time opportunity.The work schedule for this position is Monday through Friday, 9:00AM to 5:00PM EST, in a hybrid remote arrangement with 2-4 days per month spent at the primary work location: 1 Ashburton Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02108. Applicants should be located within a reasonable commuting distance from the primary work location.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead and help build a team of high-performing engineers.
• Stand up and maintain data infrastructure and data pipelines to process high volumes of complex data.
• Work with IT and administrative staff and business stakeholders to develop and execute on business requirements.
• Identify, design, and implement internal process improvements, automate manual processes, optimize data delivery, and re-design infrastructure for greater scalability.
• Develop and review data management plans, architecture plans, data transfer plans, and data security and privacy plans, including event monitoring and auditing guidelines, to ensure that systems meet security and technical requirements.
• Develop and review standard operating procedures to meet high standards for data organization, quality, and security.
• Provide leadership in developing standards and best practices.
• Build analytics tools to provide actionable insights into operational efficiency, service delivery, and policy evaluation.
• Provide support to other technical staff for issue resolution.
• Deliver consistent and reliable processes and high-quality output on independent and team projects. 

Preferred Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• At least three (3) years of experience leading technical teams to stand up and manage safe, secure, and reliable data architectures.
• Experience organizing and processing large quantities of data for analysis.
• Experience with data management tools, technologies, and principles.
• Experience working with business stakeholders to implement new data standards, technologies and systems that meet business needs.
• Strong proficiency in Python and SQL.
• Experience with current data science tools and methods, including machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) frameworks.
• Proficiency with the AWS stack; Azure and/or Google Cloud Platform (GCP) a plus
• Proficiency with Github and version control systems.
• Working, up-to-date knowledge of best practices for keeping data separated and secure.
• Experience with a team software development process: design, testing, coding, and peer reviews.
• Experience with continuous integration/continuous development (CI/CD) practices.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Possess the ability to manage multiple priorities and workstreams simultaneously and deliver under tight deadlines.
• Experience in an Agile work environment.
• AWS or other cloud platform certifications are a plus.

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

Minimum Entrance Requirements: 

Applicants must have (A) at least three (3) years of full-time or equivalent part-time professional or practical experience in the field of information technology data analytics, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.

Substitutions: 

I.  An Associate’s degree in a related field may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.

II. A Bachelor’s degree or higher in a related field may substitute for two (2) years of the required experience.

III. A Master’s degree or higher in a related field may substitute for the required experience. 

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.  Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.  Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements.  We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.