Data Platform Engineer: Office of Innovative Technologies - UTK

The Data Platform Engineer is responsible for strategic planning, architecture, implementation, administration, security, automation, monitoring, and optimization of enterprise databases and data platform technologies supporting university and statewide initiatives. This position is responsible for administering and modernizing Microsoft SQL Server, Azure SQL, Microsoft Fabric, OneLake, and related data services while supporting secure, scalable, and high-performing environments for operational and analytical workloads. The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service. UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service. UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices to attract and retain top-tier talent, fostering a strong staff community and supporting a culture of involvement and engagement for everyone. The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine. Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community! Required QualificationsEducation: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Data Analytics, or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.Experience: 5+ years of experience designing, administering, and supporting enterprise data platforms, databases, data warehouses, and data integration Required Technical ExpertiseStrong expertise in:Microsoft Fabric administration and engineering (required)Microsoft SQL Server administration, performance tuning, and security (required)Azure data services, including Azure SQL, Data Factory, and OneLakeEnterprise data platform architecture across on-premises and cloud environmentsExperience designing and supporting enterprise-scale, mission-critical data platforms and analytics environments.Strong knowledge of:Data engineering and integration patternsData modeling, data warehousing, and Medallion ArchitectureData governance, lineage, metadata management, and data quality practicesPlatform automation, monitoring, and operational supportExperience working in complex enterprise environments integrating multiple cloud, database, ERP, and business application platforms.Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis without need now or in the future for sponsorship for employment-based visa status.Preferred QualificationsExperience: 10+ years of experience designing, administering, and supporting enterprise data platforms, databases, data warehouses, and data integrationHands-on experience with Microsoft Fabric, SQL Server, data replication tools like Data Flow or Data Factory, and analytics platforms such as PowerBI or Tableau.Work LocationLocation: Knoxville, TNHybridCompensation and BenefitsUT market range: MR16Anticipated hiring range: $105,000 to $120,000Find more information on the UT Market Range structure hereFind more information on UT Benefits hereApplication InstructionsTo express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments:ResumeCover LetterData Platform Engineering & AdministrationArchitect, administer, and modernize enterprise data platforms across on-premises and cloud environments.Manage SQL Server environments, including installation, upgrades, migrations, performance tuning, monitoring, automation, security, and compliance.Administer and support Microsoft Fabric capacities, workspaces, and related platform services.Maintain Fabric workspaces that serve as departmental and enterprise data marts, ensuring performance, security, governance, and lifecycle management.Develop operational standards and automation to improve platform reliability, scalability, and efficiency.Data Engineering & IntegrationDesign, develop, and support enterprise data solutions using Microsoft Fabric, OneLake, Azure SQL, Data Factory, Dataflows, and related technologies.Build and maintain data pipelines supporting operational, reporting, analytics, and AI workloads.Develop integration solutions connecting ERP systems, Oracle OCI, SQL Server, cloud platforms, and other enterprise applications.Support modern data architecture including lakehouses, warehouses, semantic models, and reusable data products.Data Modeling & Analytics EnablementDesign and maintain data models that support reporting, analytics, AI, and enterprise data products.Implement and support Medallion Architecture (Bronze, Silver, Gold) and enterprise data standards within Fabric and OneLake.Design and optimize lakehouses, warehouses, semantic models, and Power BI datasets for analytics and self-service reporting.Promote data quality, metadata management, lineage, governance, and stewardship practices.Partner with analysts, business stakeholders, and governance teams to deliver trusted, reusable data assets.Collaboration & Enterprise ServicesCollaborate with infrastructure, security, application, and cloud teams to ensure secure and effective data platform operations.Provide technical leadership for database design, integrations, platform modernization, and performance optimization initiatives.Support enterprise projects, vendor implementations, and cross-functional technology initiatives.Technical LeadershipServe as a subject matter expert for data platforms, database technologies, Microsoft Fabric, data engineering, and analytics.Lead platform modernization, cloud adoption, and enterprise data initiatives.Establish standards, best practices, and governance frameworks for data platform operations and engineering.Mentor technical staff and evaluate emerging technologies that enhance enterprise data and analytics capabilities.Full timePosting Date: 2026-09-03