Who we are looking for:ASCO is in search of a high-performing Lead Data Engineer to play a vital role as a hands-on architect and engineer turning complex data into strategic business value. This role is responsible for actively writing code, building scalable data pipelines, pioneering responsible AI practices, and deploying production-grade solutions for AI/ML, BI, and operations. The position will solve data engineering challenges, elevate technical standards, and lead through code.
This position is hybrid with a primary location at our headquarters in Alexandria, VA. The hire must reside within 75 miles of our headquarters. We anticipate the hire to be onsite approximately 1-2 days per week.
Responsibilities- Architect & Deploy Scalable Data Pipelines/Products: Design, build, and optimize production-grade batch and streaming data pipelines in a multi-cloud (GCP, AWS, Azure) ecosystem to unify enterprise data assets into a high-performance AI, analytics, and operational foundation.
- Simple to Complex Data Pipelines: Design, build, and optimize scalable batch and streaming data ingestion pipelines for both structured and unstructured data.
- Trusted Context Foundation: Ensure all developed solutions meet high standards for security, quality, reliability, explainability, and maintainability.
- Engineer Agentic AI & RAG Workflows: Build and operationalize modern AI capabilities-including RAG, semantic search, vector databases, and autonomous multi-agent workflows, grounded in clean enterprise context.
- Establish MLOps & LLMOps Rigor: Build CI/CD, containerization, and observability frameworks to streamline LLM service integrations for fast, reliable, and cost-effective application delivery.
- Write Production-Grade Code & APIs: Deliver clean, maintainable Python code and microservices that integrate data products directly into AI agents, business applications, and operational workflows.
- Optimize Platform Cost & Performance: Continually refine database designs, storage tiers, and compute workloads to maximize query speed while actively optimizing cloud operating costs (OpEx).
- Translate Strategy into Execution: Partner with product leads and business stakeholders to translate mission goals into scalable technical solutions that accelerate the digital roadmap.
- Lead Through Code & Technical Mentorship: Set engineering standards, drive rigorous code reviews, and elevate team capability by actively building alongside junior and mid-level data engineers.
- Ensure Operational Reliability & Incident Health: Perform root-cause analysis and rapid remediation for complex data platform incidents to maintain continuous system availability and data integrity.
Required Education and Experience- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Engineering, Software Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or a related technical field (or equivalent practical experience).
- 9+ years of hands-on experience architecting, building, and maintaining enterprise-grade batch and streaming data pipelines in modern cloud environments.
- 2+ years of hands-on experience building and deploying production-grade AI/ML solutions, including RAG architectures, vector databases, LLM integrations, and agentic workflows.
- Deep mastery of Python and modern data/software engineering practices.
- Proven expertise with cloud-native data architectures (GCP/BigQuery, AWS, or Azure), distributed computing, enterprise data modeling, and visualizing end-to-end integration flows.
- Direct experience establishing MLOps/LLMOps pipelines, containerization (Docker), real-time evaluation frameworks, and automated CI/CD deployments.
- Demonstrated ability to tune physical data models and compute workloads to increase system performance while controlling cloud operating costs (OpEx).
- Proven ability to drive technical strategy, establish coding standards, and mentor engineering teams through direct, active code contribution.
Preferred Education and Experience- Hands-on exposure to specialized AI orchestration tooling (e.g., Google Vertex AI Agent Builder).
- Master's degree in Computer Science, Data Science, or Artificial Intelligence.
Competencies- Ability to design, build, and evolve multi-cloud data architectures that balance high performance with operational cost efficiency (OpEx optimization), ensuring data platforms scale seamlessly with enterprise growth.
- Hands-on expertise in moving modern AI concepts (agentic workflows, RAG, and LLM integrations) from experimental concepts into reliable, secure, high-availability operational environments.
- A "lead from the code" mindset that elevates team capability, enforces modern data engineering practices, and establishes high standards for code quality, documentation, and maintainability.
- Strategic ability to connect complex data architectures directly to measurable enterprise value, translating business objectives into high value technical initiatives.
- Deep commitment to building a system of interconnected data sources with built-in observability and improvement mechanisms by embedding data quality, automated governance, security, and real-time observability across all pipeline workflows.
- Strong collaborative approach that bridges the gap between raw data infrastructure, product leads, software engineers, and business stakeholders to accelerate the digital product roadmap.
ADA/Physical RequirementsExtended periods seated or standing at a desk.
High use of computer and other office technology equipment.
Travel1-5 days/yr
CompensationThis is an exempt position. The hiring salary range for this position is $164,000-$200,000 annualized.
The range displayed reflects the minimum and maximum annualized salary ASCO expects to provide for a new hire for the position across the U.S. We thoughtfully determine and design offers based on the selected candidate's relevant experience and qualifications.
Generous Benefits Package:- Hybrid Work Environment
- Open Leave Policy
- Paid Family Leave
- 13 Paid Holidays per Calendar Year
- Staff Appreciation Days
- 401(k): 7.5% Employer Contribution
- Medical/Dental/Vision
- Employee Assistance Program
- Fertility and Family Forming
- Healthcare Concierge
- Flexible Spending Account(s)
- Healthcare Savings Account
- Disability and Life Insurance
Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. The job posting will remain active throughout the candidate application evaluation process.
