Lead Analytics Engineer

Role Description

The Analytics Engineering team at Forward plays a central role in our Data ecosystem, partnering with technical and business stakeholders to convert raw data into trusted, AI-ready insights. As a Lead Analytics Engineer, you will be the senior technical voice on the team, setting architectural direction, owning complex initiatives, and raising the bar for everyone around you.

In This Role You Will:

• Own the technical architecture and roadmap for complex Analytics Engineering initiatives.
• Architect Forward's semantic layer and metrics standards for key business KPIs.
• Lead the technical design of the AI-ready data platform.
• Drive technical excellence across our dbt project.
• Set and uphold a high bar for craftsmanship across the team.
• Mentor Senior and Analytics Engineers through hands-on code review and design feedback.
• Partner with the Manager of Analytics Engineering on technical strategy and roadmap planning.
• Lead deep technical partnerships with Data Science, Data Engineering, and Core Technology.
• Evaluate and operationalize high-value third-party data sources and emerging tooling.
• Champion data governance and quality at the platform level.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience in Analytics Engineering, Data Engineering, or Business Intelligence.
• 4+ years of hands-on production experience with dbt.
• 3+ years of deep experience with a cloud-based data warehouse (Snowflake preferred).
• Expert-level proficiency in SQL and dimensional data modeling.
• Demonstrated experience designing and operating a semantic layer.
• Proven ability to mentor senior engineers and influence direction across teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Requirements

• Experience designing or contributing to AI/LLM-based applications.
• Hands-on experience with Python for data scripting or automation.
• Familiarity with streaming/CDC pipelines and real-time analytics use cases.
• Experience leading a data platform migration or large-scale refactor.
• Experience in fintech, lending, or another regulated, data-intensive industry.

Benefits

• Annual Targeted Salary: $160,000-$185,000 CAD.
• Annual Target Bonus: 12%.
• Comprehensive total rewards package, including medical, dental, vision.
• Flexible time-off policy and paid parental leave.
• RRSP match and wellness reimbursement.
• Volunteering days and annual professional development budget.
• Charitable donation match.
• Remote-first company with workplace flexibility.