Solution Architect/Data Engineer

DescriptionWe are seeking a Solution Architect & Data Engineer to help design, build, and scale a strategic market analytics platform serving the global aerospace aftermarket. This role blends solution architecture, data engineering, analytics, and stakeholder engagement. The successful candidate will be responsible for translating business requirements into scalable technical solutions while remaining hands-on in the development of data pipelines, data models, analytics products, and AI-enabled capabilities. The ideal candidate is equally comfortable discussing business strategy with stakeholders, designing system architecture, and writing production-quality code.This position is based at our Corporate Headquarters in Wood Dale, IL, with a planned relocation to the Merchandise Mart (Chicago) in early 2027.What you will be responsible for: Define the overall architecture and technical roadmap for advanced analytics platforms.Design scalable data, integration, analytics, and AI solutions.Establish standards for data models, APIs, governance, security, and platform design.Balance immediate business needs with long-term maintainability and scalability.Build and maintain data pipelines that ingest, transform, and integrate data from multiple internal and external sources.Design and implement scalable data models for reporting, analytics, and AI applications.Develop data products, dashboards, and analytical datasets that support business decision-making.Ensure data quality, reliability, performance, and operational supportability.Partner with business users to deliver actionable insights and measurable outcomes.Identify opportunities to leverage AI, machine learning, and automation.Develop and deploy data assets that support forecasting, market intelligence, and decision-support capabilities.Evaluate emerging technologies and recommend improvements to platform capabilities.Work closely with commercial, operations, and technology stakeholders to understand business needs.Translate business problems into technical solutions and prioritized delivery plans.Communicate architecture, tradeoffs, and recommendations to both technical and executive audiences.QualificationsWhat you need to be successful in this role: 7+ years of experience in data engineering, solution architecture, analytics engineering, or related roles.Strong experience designing and building cloud-based data analytics solutions.Hands-on experience with: Advanced Analytical SQL | PySpark/Python | Java Spring boot framework | Data integration and ETL/ELT development (Spark/Databricks, Snowflake, Kafka, and cloud-native services) | Data modeling and warehousing | APIs and system integrations.Experience with modern analytics and business intelligence platforms. Provide technical direction and oversight across data pipelines, modeling, APIs, infrastructure, and UI interaction patterns without directly owning implementation.Ability to operate independently in a fast-moving environment.Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.Preferred Qualifications:Experience with Azure data and analytics services.Experience building analytics, forecasting, or AI-enabled solutions.Familiarity with aerospace, manufacturing, supply chain, or industrial businesses.Experience working in both architecture and hands-on engineering roles.Experience building data products from concept through production deployment.Success Measures:Delivers trusted and scalable analytics solutions.Accelerates access to meaningful business insights.Establishes reusable data and analytics capabilities that reduce future development effort.Improves the speed and quality of business decision-making.Drives measurable business value through analytics, machine learning, and AI.Ideal Candidate:A pragmatic technologist who enjoys building as much as designing. They understand architecture, but they are not afraid to write code, troubleshoot data pipelines, or create analytical products themselves. They focus on business outcomes, move quickly, and make thoughtful tradeoffs between short-term delivery and long-term scalability.The rewards of your career at AAR go far beyond just your salary: Competitive salary and bonus packageComprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage.401(k) retirement plan with company matchGenerous paid time off programProfessional development and career advancement opportunitiesPhysical Demands/Work Environment:The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be regularly required to sit, stand, bend, reach and move about the facility.The environmental characteristic for this position is an office setting.Candidates should be able to adapt to a traditional business environment.AAR provides accommodation in accordance with applicable laws through all stages of the hiring process. If you require accommodation for any part of the application and/or hiring process, please advise Human Resources.Compensation:The anticipated salary range for this position is $150,000 to $170,000 annually. This range reflects the base salary for candidates who meet the requirements of the role, including experience, education, and location. In addition to base pay, this role is eligible for a bonus. AAR offers a competitive benefits package, including medical/dental/vision/life/and AD&D insurance, 401(k) savings plan with employer match, paid time off and holiday pay, as well as opportunities for professional development and growth.#LI-MA1 #LI-ONSITEJob Field: Information TechnologySchedule: Full-time