Principal Data Engineer

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is seeking a Principal Data Engineer to join the Enterprise Data Engineering & Analytics Department, a team dedicated to operationalizing critical data and analytics for digital business initiatives. The Principal Data Engineer plays a pivotal role in delivering scalable, governed, and high-quality data solutions through the Context Engine framework, working collaboratively with institutional stakeholders to enable data-driven decision making. The Principal Data Engineer is responsible for leading complex end-to-end data engineering efforts, ensuring alignment with enterprise standards, and improving time-to-solution for analytics initiatives.

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center is a leading institution focused on cancer care, research, education, and prevention. At UT MD Anderson, the Principal Data Engineer contributes to advancing the organization's mission by transforming data into actionable insights that support clinical, operational, and research excellence. The Principal Data Engineer partners across IT and institutional teams to deliver impactful analytics solutions that improve outcomes for patients and stakeholders.

The ideal candidate will have a preferred Master's degree in Business Analytics, Computer Science, Information Technology, Data Science, or a related field, along with extensive experience in enterprise data engineering and analytics delivery. Ideal experience includes deep familiarity with Epic systems, SAP Web Intelligence, Power BI, and data modeling tools such as Caboodle and Clarity, along with strong experience in clinical reporting and analytics use cases.

Minimum $146,500 - Midpoint $183,000 - Maximum $219,500

Why Us?

At UT MD Anderson, the Principal Data Engineer plays a critical role in advancing enterprise analytics and enabling innovative data solutions that directly support patient care, research, and operational excellence. This role offers the opportunity to work on complex, high-impact data initiatives while collaborating with cross-functional teams across the institution. Team members benefit from a supportive work environment that promotes professional growth, continuous learning, and meaningful contributions to a mission-driven organization.

• Employer-paid medical coverage starting day one for employees working 30+ hours/week, plus optional group dental, vision, life, AD&D, and disability insurance.

• Accruals for PTO and Extended Illness Bank, plus paid holidays, wellness, childcare, and other leave options.

• Tuition Assistance Program after six months of service and access to extensive wellness, fitness, and employee resource groups.

• Defined-benefit pension through the Teachers Retirement System, voluntary retirement plans, and employer-paid life and reduced salary protection programs.

Responsibilities

Data Engineering - End-to-End Solution Delivery:

• Lead, communicate, and participate in end-to-end solution delivery across the Context Engine framework

• Integrate data governance processes across ingestion, ingress, egress, curation, transformation, modeling, and visualization

• Build and manage data pipelines supporting data flow from acquisition to consumption for defined use cases

• Incorporate metadata management, data provenance, security, and data quality processes into pipelines

• Manage stakeholder relationships and proactively communicate priorities and delivery timelines

• Drive data requirements to ensure solutions meet business needs beyond initial requests

• Implement complex analytics deliverables including reports, metrics, dashboards, extracts, and visualizations

• Perform complex data analysis, testing, and problem solving using SQL and NoSQL technologies

• Collaborate with data engineers to support enterprise integration and institutional data strategies

Standards, Testing & System Maintenance:

• Manage adherence to standard operating procedures and institutional policies for data and analytics delivery

• Ensure build standards are met, including governance oversight and approvals

• Prepare documentation for enhancements and new technology implementations

• Execute and monitor change control processes, including audits where applicable

• Perform and oversee quality control, testing, and peer review of analytics solutions

• Manage system updates and releases for assigned analytics modules

• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, quality standards, and best practices

• Participate in after-hours application support and downtime procedures

Educate and Train:

• Lead and train stakeholders on data pipelining and data preparation techniques

• Develop and implement training plans for Context Engine tools and systems

• Deliver institutional, departmental, and one-on-one training sessions

• Mentor and guide less experienced team members through coaching and knowledge transfer

• Serve as liaison with customers and OneIS to deliver effective technical solutions

OneIS Collaboration and Culture:

• Deliver innovative, sustainable IT solutions aligned with organizational goals

• Promote trust, respect, and collaboration with customers and team members

• Build productive partnerships across teams and stakeholders

• Demonstrate commitment to excellence and continuous improvement

EDUCATION

• Required: Bachelor's Degree

• Preferred: Master's Degree Business Analytics, Computer Science, Information Technology, Data Science, or related.

WORK EXPERIENCE

• Required: 7 years Relevant information technology experience. or

• Required: 5 years Experience with preferred degree.

• May substitute required education with years of related experience on a one to one basis.

• Preferred: Ten years of Epic experience, 5 years of clinical experience, expertise in reporting on Unplanned Readmissions, expert in SAP Web Intelligence, Power BI, and Epic tools; Radar Dashboards and Slicer Dicer.

• Preferred Certification: Caboodle Data Model, Clarity Data Model-Clinical.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Required: EPIC - EPIC Certification Must obtain at least one Epic Data Model certification (Clinical, Access, or Revenue) issued by Epic. within 180 Days

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, paid time off, retirement, tuition benefits, educational opportunities, and individual and team recognition.

This position may be responsible for maintaining the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, as defined in Section 113.001(2) of the Texas Business and Commerce Code and therefore may require routine reviews and screening. The ability to satisfy and maintain all requirements necessary to ensure the continued security and integrity of such infrastructure is a condition of hire and continued employment.

It is the policy of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center to provide equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by institutional policy or by federal, state, or local laws unless such distinction is required by law.

Additional Information

• Requisition ID: 181480

• Employment Status: Full-Time

• Employee Status: Regular

• Work Week: Days

• Minimum Salary: US Dollar (USD) 146,500

• Midpoint Salary: US Dollar (USD) 183,000

• Maximum Salary : US Dollar (USD) 219,500

• FLSA: exempt and not eligible for overtime pay

• Fund Type: Hard

• Work Location: Remote (within Texas only)

• Pivotal Position: Yes

• Referral Bonus Available?: No

• Relocation Assistance Available?: No

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