Senior Business Data AnalystLocation: Hybrid - Irvine, CAJob Type: Contract to Full TimeOverviewWe are seeking an experienced Senior Business Data Analyst to own data solutions end to end - from intake and scoping through build, validation, testing, and launch. This is a hands-on role, not a coordination role. You will
write advanced SQL daily, manage the intake and prioritization of data and reporting requests, scope and run your own projects from requirements through production cutover, and personally validate that the data you deliver is accurate, reconciled, and launch-ready - all in alignment with the regulatory and compliance requirements
applicable to a federally regulated mortgage lender.
Key Responsibilities: Intake & Scoping
- Own intake for data, reporting, and analytics requests: triage, clarify requirements directly with
requestors, assess feasibility and effort, and prioritize against the data roadmap - Elicit and document functional and non-functional requirements, converting ambiguous business
questions into scoped deliverables with clear acceptance criteria, data sources, and success measures - Perform hands-on data discovery and profiling (via SQL) during scoping to confirm source data supports the request before work is committed
End-to-End Project Delivery
- Run data projects end to end: scoping, planning, build, validation, UAT, launch, and post-launch
monitoring - staying hands-on in every phase - Maintain right-sized project plans, timelines, and status updates for executive and stakeholder visibility
- Identify, escalate, and resolve risks and dependencies, unblocking work personally where possible (writingthe query, drafting the mapping, testing the fix)
- Support data warehouse, pipeline, and BI migration efforts - including onboarding new sources via API and SFTP ingestion - as the analyst who verifies the data, not just tracks the tasks
Hands-On SQL, Validation & Testing
- Write, debug, and optimize advanced SQL daily to profile source data, build validation and reconciliation queries, investigate discrepancies, and prototype transformation logic
- Design and personally execute validation and reconciliation for every migration phase and data solution: row counts, field-level comparisons, aggregate tie-outs, and business-rule checks
- Build and execute repeatable test plans for pipelines, data models, and reports, documenting results with evidence
- Plan and drive UAT: test scripts, stakeholder walkthroughs, defect tracking, and documented sign-off prior to cutover
- Document data lineage, transformation logic, and schema changes with data engineers and architects
Launches & Post-Launch Ownership
- Own launch readiness: cutover checklists, go/no-go criteria, rollback plans, and stakeholder
communications - Personally verify production outputs at and after launch, reconciling first production runs against
expected results and legacy baselines - Run post-launch monitoring and hypercare: track data quality, triage issues, and confirm adoption and stability
Stakeholder & Compliance Collaboration
- Act as the primary liaison between business teams (Operations, Finance, Compliance, Sales) and technical teams; translate technical concepts and data caveats into clear communications for leadership
- Coordinate with Legal and Compliance to ensure activities align with RESPA, TILA, ECOA, HMDA, and applicable data governance requirements
- Follow change management processes for production data systems; maintain requirements, runbooks, and validation documentation
Qualifications: Required: - 5+ years of business/data analysis experience, with at least 2 years delivering data warehouse, ETL/ELT pipeline, or BI/reporting solutions hands-on
- Advanced SQL required - expert-level ability to write complex joins, window functions, aggregations, and reconciliation queries against large datasets without assistance. Candidates should expect a hands-on SQL assessment
- Databricks experience (SQL warehouses, notebooks, Delta Lake, or Unity Catalog)
- Strong analytical knowledge required - proven ability to profile data, investigate discrepancies to root cause, reason about data quality, and draw sound, defensible conclusions from data
- Proven experience personally executing data validation, reconciliation, testing, and UAT - not just overseeing it
- Experience owning projects end to end: intake, scoping, requirements, delivery, launch, and post-launch support
- Very strong requirements elicitation skills - able to draw out, document, and validate both functional and non-functional requirements (performance, data quality, security, auditability) from technical and non-technical stakeholders
- Strong understanding of data modeling, data warehousing, dimensional design, and reporting best
practices - Strong knowledge of data ingestion into modern data platforms - API-based integrations, SFTP/filebased feeds, batch and incremental loads - including source onboarding, mapping, and validation of ingested data
- Familiarity with cloud data platforms (Snowflake, Azure, AWS, GCP) and modern BI tools (Power BI, Tableau, or similar)
- Able to adapt quickly in a very fast-paced, regulated environment - managing multiple concurrent
workstreams and shifting priorities without losing quality; excellent written and verbal communication skills, including presenting to senior leadership - Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Business, or a related field; or equivalent practical experience
Preferred: - Experience in financial services, banking, or mortgage; familiarity with regulatory data requirements
(HMDA, MISMO, CFPB reporting) - Experience with Agile/hybrid delivery; exposure to data governance frameworks
- Scripting or automation for data testing (e.g., Python, dbt tests)
Core Competencies: - Hands-on execution and ownership mindset
- Advanced SQL fluency and analytical rigor
- Validation, testing, and quality assurance
- Structured intake, scoping, and requirements definition
- Cross-functional stakeholder communication
- Risk and issue management
- Adaptability in dynamic environments
- Problem solver with a solutions orientation
The hourly rate for this position is $80-$90 per hour.
We offer an extensive compensation package. Benefits include:
- Vacation - Vacation hours accrue on a per pay period basis. Balance maximums are based on years of service.
- Paid Sick Time - 40 hours of paid sick time after 90 days of employment. State sick time requirements will be added as needed.
- 9 Paid Holidays + 1 Cultural Celebration Day (Floating Holiday)
- Multiple PPO Medical Plans, as well as HDHP eligible plan.
- Dental Coverage
- Vision Coverage
- Company Paid Life Insurance
- 401K with a generous employer match
- Additional Benefits including - Optional Life, FSA, Pet Insurance etc.
- Free Legal Services
- Employee Loan Program
