Data Engineer Lead

This Lead Data Engineer role at the University of Michigan Center for Academic Innovation will guide and scale the Center’s Data and Business Intelligence function, with ownership across data architecture, governance and compliance, ELT and warehousing, and team leadership.

Role Responsibilities

• Evolve CAI’s data architecture strategy to support reporting, analytics, and AI/ML, as well as operational needs
• Architect and oversee end-to-end data warehousing solutions that integrate diverse institutional and platform data sources
• Define and enforce engineering standards for dimensional modeling (including Kimball methodology and Star and Snowflake schemas), pipeline design, documentation, and best practices
• Optimize cloud data platforms such as Snowflake and Databricks for scalability, reliability, cost efficiency, and long-term sustainability
• Design and maintain complex ELT frameworks and scalable pipeline patterns
• Directly manage and mentor Data Engineers and Senior Data Engineers, including performance management, coaching, hiring, and career development
• Build a culture of shared ownership, technical excellence, and continuous learning
• Provide technical guidance and architectural oversight to support high-quality delivery and consistency across projects
• Plan for team growth and capability development aligned to CAI’s long-term data vision
• Establish and operationalize scalable data governance practices, including standards for data quality, metadata, lineage, and access controls
• Ensure institutional and regulatory data privacy requirements are met in a higher education environment (including FERPA and GDPR)
• Promote strong data stewardship and responsible use of institutional and learner data
• Partner with Engineering, Online Learning, XR, and campus stakeholders to translate complex business and academic needs into cohesive data strategies and solutions
• Lead stakeholder discovery sessions and communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences
• Align team priorities to CAI strategic objectives and contribute to roadmap planning within the data domain
• Oversee service delivery and stakeholder engagement to ensure responsive, high-impact support
• Evaluate and incorporate emerging technologies, including AI-enabled tools, into engineering workflows and team practices
• Co-lead or sponsor initiatives such as the BI + AI Community of Practice and Data Hours to strengthen campus data literacy and collaboration

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; degree in Computer Science, Data Engineering, Information Systems, or related field preferred
• 7+ years of progressive experience in data engineering, data architecture, or related technical roles
• 1+ year of direct supervision of professional staff experience, including servant leadership of technical teams
• Expert-level knowledge of dimensional modeling (Star and Snowflake schemas) and enterprise data warehousing best practices
• Deep experience with modern ELT frameworks and cloud-based data platforms such as Snowflake
• Proven ability to design and scale complex data ecosystems integrating numerous source and target systems
• Demonstrated experience leading and developing high-performing technical teams
• Experience aligning technical roadmaps with organizational strategy
• Ability to independently manage large, cross-functional initiatives from concept through delivery
• Strong project management discipline and experience using enterprise collaboration tools such as Asana
• Experience establishing data governance frameworks and ensuring regulatory compliance
• Proven ability to lead stakeholder discovery sessions and communicate effectively with non-technical audiences
• Strong collaboration skills in a matrixed, mission-driven organization

Technologies

• Snowflake, Databricks
• Kimball methodology, Star and Snowflake schemas
• ELT
• AI/ML
• FERPA, GDPR
• Asana
• BI + AI Community of Practice
• Data Hours

Work Location and Schedule

• Location: Ann Arbor, MI (hybrid)
• Hybrid arrangement with a minimum of 4 days in the office per week, Monday through Thursday, with an option of remote work on Fridays
• On occasion, you may be required and must be available to work onsite on Fridays if necessitated by center policy and domain leadership or by job requirements
• Hybrid or mobile/remote work mode eligibility is at the discretion of the hiring department
• Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and may change at any time during employment

Compensation

• Salary range: USD 115,000 - 125,000 per year
• Compensation will be based on education and experience
• Competitive and equitable salary expected

Employment Details

• Job Opening ID: 284556
• Work Location: Ann Arbor Campus, Ann Arbor, MI
• Full-Time; Regular
• FLSA status: Exempt
• Organizational group: Vp Acad Innovation
• Department: Center for Academic Innovation
• Posting period: 10/19/2026 - 11/18/2026
• Career interest: Information Technology

Additional Information

• Candidates must have legal authorization to work in the United States
• Benefits: Excellent benefits are available (see http://benefits.umich.edu/ for details)
• Background screening: Background checks are conducted upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third-party administrator, in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act
• Application deadline: Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days; review may begin as early as the eighth day after posting; the opening may be removed after the minimum posting period ends
• Decision process: Applications will be reviewed as received throughout the posting period and continue until the position is filled