Work Environment: Remote
Job Summary:
The Data & AI Lead Engineer serves as a hands-on technical leader responsible for designing, implementing, and overseeing the delivery of enterprise data and AI solutions that power Amtrak's digital transformation. This role combines deep technical expertise with project leadership, ensuring that data systems and AI capabilities are built to be scalable, reliable, secure, and aligned with governance standards. Leads operate across multiple product or platform teams, guiding design decisions, mentoring engineers, and managing the execution of complex initiatives. They balance delivery and innovation driving improvements in platform efficiency, engineering maturity, and the overall quality of Amtrak's data and AI ecosystem.
Essential Functions:
• Lead the design, development, and deployment of enterprise-scale data and AI solutions from concept through production.
• Provide hands-on technical guidance in coding, pipeline development, model deployment, and integration patterns.
• Plan and coordinate engineering deliverables, ensuring adherence to technical standards, governance, and security policies.
• Mentor junior and mid-level engineers, fostering skill development, collaboration, and engineering excellence.
• Partner with architects, product owners, and governance leads to align solutions with Amtrak's enterprise data strategy and roadmap.
Minimum Qualifications:
• Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field; equivalent professional experience may be accepted.
• Experience: 6-8 years of experience in data engineering, AI systems development, or related technical roles with increasing leadership responsibility.
• Licenses/Certifications: None required.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Experience in a leadership capacity within a scaled agile environment or data platform modernization initiative.
• Familiarity with enterprise data governance, metadata management, and security standards.
• Exposure to MLOps, cloud data platforms, and automation tools that accelerate delivery.
• Prior mentorship or technical leadership of multi-functional project teams.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
• Advanced proficiency in SQL, programming languages (e.g., Python, Scala, or Java), and Databricks.
• Proven experience leading the delivery of complex data pipelines, integrations, or AI solutions.
• Strong understanding of data quality, observability, and performance optimization.
• Demonstrated ability to lead teams through technical challenges while remaining hands-on in design and coding.
• Experience working within agile product teams, coordinating across multiple stakeholders.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving abilities.
The salary/hourly range is $103,700.00 - $134,460.00. Pay is based on several factors including but not limited to education, work experience, certifications, etc. Depending on an employee's assigned worksite or location, Amtrak may consider a geo-pay differential to be applied to the employee's base salary. Amtrak may offer additional incentive and pay programs to recognize and reward our employees, including a short-term incentive bonus based upon factors such as individual and company performance that is commensurate with the level of the position. In addition to your salary, Amtrak offers a comprehensive benefit package that includes health, dental, and vision plans; health savings accounts; wellness programs; flexible spending accounts; 401K retirement plan with employer match; life insurance; short and long term disability insurance; paid time off; back-up care; adoption assistance; surrogacy assistance; reimbursement of education expenses; Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility; Railroad Retirement sickness and retirement benefits; and rail pass privileges. Learn more about our benefits offerings here.
Requisition ID:166244
Work Arrangement:06-Onsite 4/5 Days Click here for more information about work arrangements at Amtrak.
Relocation Offered:No
Travel Requirements:Up to 25%
You power our progress through your performance.