Senior Director of Data Platform Engineering

This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Senior Director of Data Platform Engineering based in the United States. This is a senior engineering leadership role responsible for shaping the strategy, architecture, and execution of a large-scale data platform organization. You will lead multiple engineering teams focused on database engineering, data capture, data curation, production experience, and data governance. The role combines organizational leadership with deep technical strategy, helping modernize operational data infrastructure and reduce technical debt. You will build platforms and tooling that allow engineering teams to develop and operate reliable data pipelines independently. The position offers broad cross-functional influence across Engineering, Analytics, Analytics Engineering, and Machine Learning Platform. As the organization evolves, the scope may expand to include Analytics Engineering, growing the team to approximately 50 people and five direct reports. This is a remote, digital-first opportunity with regular opportunities for in-person collaboration. Accountabilities: - Lead and evolve the data platform organization, overseeing teams responsible for database engineering, data capture, data curation, production experience, and data governance. - Define the long-term strategy, technical vision, and roadmap for data infrastructure, translating business and engineering priorities into high-impact platform investments. - Modernize operational data architecture by simplifying systems, improving reliability and data quality, and reducing technical debt across production environments. - Build scalable platforms, infrastructure, and tooling that enable engineering teams to independently develop, operate, and maintain reliable data pipelines. - Establish clear ownership models, engineering standards, operating practices, and technical processes across the data platform organization.

- Develop engineering leaders and managers, creating a strong culture of accountability, technical excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement. - Partner closely with Engineering, Analytics, Analytics Engineering, and Machine Learning Platform to identify shared needs, establish priorities, and evolve the broader data ecosystem. - Connect data infrastructure investments to organizational priorities and communicate complex technical strategies effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders. - Lead organizational and architectural changes as data platform ownership, operating models, and infrastructure requirements evolve. Requirements - Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related field, or equivalent practical experience, with 10+ years of relevant professional experience. - At least 5 years of direct people management experience, including leadership of managers and multiple engineering teams. - Proven experience leading a data engineering or data platform organization in a large-scale production environment. - Strong experience developing and operating shared data platforms or infrastructure that enable engineering teams to build and manage their own data pipelines. - Demonstrated ownership of strategy and technical roadmaps for large-scale data infrastructure, database platforms, or distributed data systems. - Experience leading data infrastructure modernization, architecture evolution, or technical-debt reduction initiatives. - Knowledge of database engineering, data governance, data quality, and operational data architecture. - Experience partnering with or leading an Analytics Engineering function is highly valued. - Experience in regulated or data-intensive industries, particularly financial services or lending, is preferred.