Senior Data Engineer

Our vision for the future is based on the idea that transforming financial lives starts by giving our people the freedom to transform their own. We have a flexible work environment, and fluid career paths. We not only encourage but celebrate internal mobility. We also recognize the importance of purpose, well-being, and work-life balance. Within Empower and our communities, we work hard to create a welcoming and inclusive environment, and our associates dedicate thousands of hours to volunteering for causes that matter most to them.

Chart your own path and grow your career while helping more customers achieve financial freedom. Empower Yourself.

***Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time, including CPT/OPT.***

About the Role

We are seeking a results-driven Senior Data Engineer to lead the evolution of our curated analytics architecture. In this fully remote role, you’ll design scalable data pipelines using AWS-native tools, implement robust data governance, and drive innovation through AI-enhanced engineering practices. Ideal candidates are hands-on technologists with deep cloud experience, a passion for mentoring, and a proven track record in Agile, cross-functional teams.

What you will do:

• Data Pipeline Development: Build and maintain scalable, high-performance ETL/ELT and file ingestion frameworks using AWS services (e.g., Redshift, Lambdas, Step Functions, EventBridge, Serverless), ensuring high availability, reliability, and fault tolerance
• Architecture & Engineering Best Practices: Lead delivery of a curated analytics architecture and contribute to strategic architectural decisions; Define reusable patterns and engineering standards to enhance pipeline performance, scalability, and governance automation
• Agile Delivery: Champion Agile delivery through Jira Kanban boards; Drive delivery of production-ready features with CI/CD pipelines, automated testing, and peer reviews to minimize data leakage and maintain quality
• Data Governance: Implement and advocate for governance practices including data dictionary, lineage, and metadata generation; observe a strong security-first mindset to access and handling of personally identifiable information (PII)
• Technical Leadership & Mentorship: Provide technical leadership on complex and cross-functional projects, provide hands-on guidance to junior engineers, lead code reviews, and foster best practices in a collaborative team environment
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation: Apply emerging data engineering technologies to enhance internal frameworks and drive continuous innovation; Leverage AI tools such as GitHub Copilot and ChatGPT to accelerate development, improve code quality, and foster continuous optimization of engineering workflows
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with analytics, marketing, technology, and business stakeholders to translate analytical and operational needs into high-impact data products

What you will bring:

• 4–6 years of hands-on data engineering experience building scalable, cloud-based ingestion frameworks and data solutions
• Practical experience with Agile methodologies and Jira with an understanding of KPIs such as velocity and defect leakage
• Familiarity with CI/CD and DevOps tools such as GitLab, GitHub Copilot, and automation workflows
• Proven expertise in AWS services: Redshift, DynamoDB, Lambda, EMR, Step Functions, EventBridge
• Proficiency in Python, PySpark, and advanced SQL for ETL pipeline development

• Deep understanding of data modeling, ETL pipelines, modern data architecture patterns (e.g., layered approach, Medallion), and best practices in ingestion, transformation, and quality validation
• Strong understanding of modern data architectures (e.g., layered/Medallion), data modeling, and ETL best practices (ingestion, transformation, quality validation)

• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills across technical and non-technical audiences
• Ability to work independently, mentor junior developers, and contribute to overall engineering excellence

What will set you apart:

• 3+ years of IT experience in financial services or other highly regulated industries
• Familiarity with Snowflake, metadata management tools, and data observability platforms
• Exposure to real-time streaming, ML pipelines, or advanced analytics infrastructure
• Prior experience and success with AI assistance tools such GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT, Claude
• Prior experience leveraging AI-enhanced engineering tools (e.g., GitHub Copilot, ChatGPT, Claude)
• Bachelor’s degree in Comput