Data Engineer

OUR STATEMENT
The San José State University Research Foundation (SJSURF) is committed to building a work environment where everyone can show up as their own self and have an opportunity to contribute, develop, and advance in their career. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are core values of the organization. We strive to attract, retain, and develop employees who reflect the community and society where we work and live. The Research Foundation aims to develop a culture where everyone feels welcome, shares their views, and where differences in backgrounds and perspectives are seen as adding value.

The Data Engineer supports SJSU's Campus Data Warehousing and Business Intelligence initiatives through the development, integration, and maintenance of enterprise data solutions. The position contributes to the development and maintenance of data pipelines and data models that integrate information from multiple university systems into trusted, governed data platforms used for institutional reporting, analytics, and data-driven decision-making.

GENERAL NATURE OF POSITION

Working under the guidance of senior technical staff, the Data Engineer applies knowledge of computer science, information systems, database technologies, programming, data architecture, and cloud-based data platforms to develop and support enterprise data solutions. The position works with technical teams and university stakeholders to analyze requirements, troubleshoot data and system issues, design technical solutions, document business and technical requirements, and support vendor and locally developed systems.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Develop, test, implement, and maintain data pipelines and integration processes that extract, transform, and load data from multiple enterprise source systems into SJSU's data warehouse and analytics platforms.

2. Develop and maintain SQL queries, database objects, data transformations, and data models in support of reporting and analytics requirements.

3. Apply programming and scripting languages such as Python, Java, SQL, or similar technologies to develop, maintain, and support data solutions.

4. Analyze source-system data structures, relationships, and business rules to support integration into enterprise data platforms.

5. Troubleshoot data pipeline, integration, database, and production data issues by reviewing SQL queries, source data, system logs, application logic, and code; collaborate with senior developers and other technical teams to resolve more complex issues.

6. Develop and maintain processes to validate data quality, integrity, consistency, and completeness.

7. Develop and deploy scalable, secure, and reliable data solutions in cloud environments to support analytics and business operations.

8. Support data solutions using relational databases, cloud computing environments, data lakehouse technologies, and platforms such as Oracle, Snowflake, Databricks, AWS, and Google Cloud Platform.

9. Apply established data architecture, ETL/ELT, data warehousing, metadata management, and database design principles when developing and maintaining data solutions.

10. Collaborate with data engineers, analysts, application developers, system administrators, and functional stakeholders to translate business requirements into technical data requirements and solutions.

11. Support analytical methodologies including segmentation, statistical analysis, regression, forecasting, data mining, and predictive modeling as appropriate.

12. Provide production support for applications and data solutions, ensuring SLA compliance through effective monitoring, troubleshooting, incident resolution, testing, deployment, and ongoing maintenance.

13. Analyze structured and unstructured datasets to identify trends, anomalies, relationships, and information useful for university decision-making.

14. Support the team in building trusted relationships with internal and external stakeholders through reliable, accurate data work.

15. Follow IT policies and standards for maintaining consistency across SJSU campus.

16. Stay current on technology trends and proactively share learnings with the team..

INTERPERSONAL CONTACTS

Reports to the Project Director. Interacts with SJSU Information Technology regularly.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

None; however, the position may provide technical direction, advice, or mentoring.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

Required

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Systems, Data Science, Software Engineering, or a closely related technical or quantitative field that includes coursework in programming, databases, data structures, systems analysis, statistics, or comparable computing disciplines.
• 1 + year of professional experience in data engineering, database development, software development, data integration, data analytics development, business applications, or a closely related technical field.
• Experience through professional employment or internships applying programming, database, data integration, and/or data analytics principles to information systems.
• Experience using SQL and programming or scripting languages such as Python or Java.
• Experience with relational databases or data platforms such as Oracle, Snowflake, or Databricks.
• Experience with cloud platforms such as AWS or Google Cloud Platform.

Preferred

• Master’s in Computer Science (Software Engineering), Business Administration, or closely related technical or quantitative field.

• Experience developing and maintaining ETL/ELT processes and micro-batch data pipelines.

• Experience with visualization and analytics platforms such as Tableau, Looker, AWS QUICK, or comparable technologies.

• Exposure to agentic AI, speech-to-text, and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) technologies.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities Required

• Professional knowledge of programming, database systems, data structures, data integration, and data engineering concepts.
• Working knowledge of relational database concepts and SQL, including the ability to develop and troubleshoot database queries.
• Knowledge of programming or scripting such as Python, Java, JavaScript, bash script, cron syntax, or similar technologies.
• Working knowledge of data pipeline development, data transformation, ETL/ELT, metadata, and data warehousing concepts.
• Knowledge of cloud computing and modern data platforms such as AWS, Google Cloud Platform, Databricks, Snowflake, Apache AIrflow, or comparable technologies.
• Ability to analyze SQL, source data, application logic, system logs, and code to identify and troubleshoot technical issues.
• Ability to work with data from multiple source systems and apply technical requirements and business rules to data solutions.
• Knowledge of software and systems development lifecycle methodologies, including Agile and Waterfall.
• Working knowledge of application development, testing, deployment, monitoring, and production-support practices.
• Knowledge of analytical concepts including statistical analysis, data mining, forecasting, regression, and predictive modeling.
• Ability to analyze structured and unstructured datasets using appropriate technical and analytical methods.
• Ability to prepare and maintain technical documentation, including data mappings, requirements, integration logic, and operational procedures.
• Ability to communicate technical information and collaborate effectively with technical staff and university stakeholders.
• Ability to analyze technical problems, identify potential solutions, and escalate or collaborate on complex issues as appropriate.
• Ability to learn and apply emerging technologies related to data engineering, analytics, databases, and cloud computing.
• Some experience or coursework in data mining, forecasting, deep learning, machine learning, or predictive modeling is a plus
• Strong analytical curiosity and comfort working with structured and unstructured datasets.

Physical Requirements

• Periodic contact with employees at all levels, San Jose State University faculty and staff, and/or vendors, with the ability to discuss and appropriately respond to inquiries and requests.

• Strength, dexterity, and coordination and/or ability to use a computer keyboard and read a video display terminal on a regular basis.

• Able to lift, relocate, and integrate IT and lab-related equipment.

• Ability to listen to verbal requests from customers, clients, and vendors, and to respond appropriately.

Complexity of Duties

· Exercises independent judgment in the completion of a diverse set tasks with multiple stakeholders.

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the SJSURF. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or the continued employment of current SJSURF employees who apply for the position.

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NOTE: This position description intends to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. It is not intended to include all duties and responsibilities. The order in which duties and responsibilities are listed is not significant.

Compensation Range:

$77,000-$85,000 - DOE/Q

BENEFITS
The SJSURF provides an excellent benefits package to benefited employees. The comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Four company health insurance plans to choose from (employee contributions differ according to plan and level of coverage).

• Employer-paid dental and vision for both employee and eligible dependents.

• Life, AD&D, LTD with supplemental coverage opportunities.

• 14 paid federal & state holidays.

• Retirement Plan: 403 (b) employee contribution plan component and a 403 (b) employer contribution component, which vests immediately.

• Vacation-hour accruals and separate sick-hour accumulations.

• Employee discounts.

• Paid training and professional-development conferences.

Please visit the Benefits & Compensation page on the SJSURF website for more detailed information.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE
To apply for this position, an applicant must submit a formal application for employment. Select "Apply" to complete the SJSURF online employment application via Workday.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION
The SJSURF is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with physical or mental disabilities in the employment, recruitment, examination, interviewing, and hiring processes. If you are a job seeker with a physical or mental disability, and you require a reasonable accommodation to search, apply, or interview for a job opening or otherwise need a reasonable accommodation during the application and hiring process, please contact us at foundation-jobs@sjsu.edu. In the email message, please indicate your full name, phone number and the type of assistance required. You must not reveal the underlying medical reason for your needed reasonable accommodation or otherwise disclose confidential medical information.

ABOUT THE SJSU RESEARCH FOUNDATION
SJSURF employment is separate and distinct from San José State University (SJSU) or state of California employment. SJSURF employees are not employees of SJSU or of the state of California. SJSURF is a non-profit auxiliary of SJSU. SJSURF is totally self-supported. The majority of the organization’s funding comes from the federal government, and other public and private entities. With annual revenues totaling over $65 million, programs managed through SJSURF cover a rich diversity of applied research, public services, and educational-related activities.

San José State University Research Foundation is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, religion, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sex, genetic information, sexual orientation, military and veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local laws. It also prohibits unlawful discrimination based on the perception that anyone has any of those characteristics, or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of those characteristics.

It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. All employment practices such as recruitment, selection, promotions, and other terms and conditions of employment are administered in a manner designed to ensure that employees and applicants for employment or services are not subjected to discrimination. We are committed to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment, and where employees are treated with respect and dignity. This policy is in accordance with federal, state and local laws and reaffirms the Research Foundation’s continuing commitment to both the spirit and intent of equal employment opportunity laws and policies.

San José State University Research Foundation is an EOE M/F/Vet/Disability. Learn more about our organizations EEO and AAP policy by visiting our website HERE. Data metrics on the AAP is available for review upon request. Please also visit OFCCP for additional resources: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ofccp/posters.

If you have any questions or need assistance or an accommodation in completing this application, please contact Research Foundation HR at (408) 924-5582.

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About San José State University

SJSURF employment is separate and distinct from San José State University (SJSU) or state of California employment. SJSURF employees are not employees of SJSU or of the state of California.

SJSURF is a non-profit auxiliary of SJSU. SJSURF is totally self-supported. The majority of the organization’s funding comes from the federal government, and other public and private entities. With annual revenues totaling over $65 million, programs managed through SJSURF cover a rich diversity of applied research, public services, and educational-related activities.