Associate Data Engineer

Position Description

Summary:

The Associate Data Engineer is a member of the Office of the Vice Provost for Advances in Learning (VPAL) reporting to the Director of Strategic Technology. VPAL is charged with envisioning the future of teaching and learning at Harvard. To that end, VPAL is engaged in a variety of initiatives advancing opportunities and outcomes for a global community of learners. The Associate Data Engineer will play a critical role in enabling marketing, customer service, finance, and content teams within VPAL to make data-driven decisions related to the learning products deployed on the LXP. Most of the Associate Data Engineer work will relate to the new University-wide learning experience platform that Harvard has developed.

As part of a team of developers, business analysts, and data scientists, the Associate Data Engineer will be responsible for developing, testing, deploying, and maintaining software, including web applications, learning platforms, APIs, daily ETL data operations, infrastructure, and data analytics dashboards. They will also explore, test, and evaluate new technology stacks and approaches to data architecture to improve the efficiency and stability of data pipelines. This role will require experience in automating and debugging operations across multiple data sources that support a variety of business functions. The Associate Data Engineer will also communicate directly with subject matter experts and product owners to understand the needs of data end-users and inform upstream data processes.

The Associate Data Engineer will also be a member of the Harvard technical community. At times, such coordination will provide opportunities to attend and contribute to meetings with other technical professionals across the University and beyond.

Core Duties:

• Develop and maintain new and pre-existing features and integrate applications with existing APIs as well as third-party APIs.
• Design, develop, deploy, and support scalable software systems.
• Build and maintain tools for deployment, monitoring, and operations.
• Automate and streamline operations and processes.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with engineers, project managers, and data scientists to understand business problems and identify solutions.
• Collaborate with team members in architectural discussions and contribute to general improvements across all projects as directed.
• Abide by and follow the Harvard University IT technical standards, policies, and Code of Conduct

Basic Qualifications

• Minimum of two years' post-secondary education or relevant work experience

Additional Qualifications and Skills

• Strong programming experience, including Java, Python, and/or Javascript
• Proficiency with SQL for querying, manipulation, and analysis
• Familiarity with Relational Database Systems (e.g. PostgreSQL, MySQL, Snowflake, or similar)
• Understanding of ETL processes and automation
• Experience with cloud platforms (e.g. AWS, Google Cloud Platform, or similar) and their services
• Demonstrated team performance skills, service mindset approach, and the ability to act as a trusted advisor
• Working knowledge of a modern web framework (e.g. Node, Vue, React, Angular, Django, etc.)
• Experience deploying software on highly scalable cloud platforms (e.g., Google Cloud Platform, AWS, Heroku)
• Experience with building APIs and services using REST
• Experience building data dashboards
• Experience with containers and Kubernetes
• Experience with CI/CD pipelines
• Experience with infrastructure-as-code and infrastructure automation technologies (e.g., Docker, Terraform, Helm)
• Experience with Salesforce products (e.g. SFMC, Sales Cloud)

Working Conditions

• In-person work is performed in an open office setting
• VPAL is a hybrid office, as our team places a high value on the in-person experience, cross-team collaboration, and strong community building. Individual flexible work options for this role, including hybrid, will be discussed during the interview process. Specific in-office and schedule will be determined between you and your manager. All work must be performed in a state where Harvard is registered to do business (CT, GA, IL, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, RI, VA, VT, WA).

Additional Information

Please note: This is a two-year term position with the possibility of renewal dependent upon business need and continued funding.

Selected candidates may be asked to provide additional materials.

VPAL is not able to provide visa sponsorship for this position.

This position has a 3-month orientation and review period.

The health of our workforce is a priority for Harvard University. With that in mind, we strongly encourage all employees to be up to date on CDC-recommended vaccines.

Work Format Details

This is a hybrid position that is based in Massachusetts. Additional details will be discussed during the interview process. All remote work must be performed within one of the Harvard Registered Payroll States, which currently includes Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Washington, and California (CA for exempt positions only). Certain visa types and funding sources may limit work location. Individuals must meet work location sponsorship requirements prior to employment.

About Us

About the Office of the Vice Provost for Advances in Learning (VPAL)

The Office of the Vice Provost for Advances in Learning seeks to shape the future of education by discovering new ways to build the competence, curiosity, and confidence of learners on our campuses and around the world. We create engaging and scalable learning experiences, cultivate inspiring ideas, and connect a global community of learners-while developing tools, technologies, platforms, and policies to reduce friction throughout the learning lifecycle. To learn more, visit .

VPAL is committed to convening and nurturing a diverse community dedicated to promoting inclusive excellence and leadership in teaching and learning. We celebrate, welcome, and honor all backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values. We strive to ensure that all feel included in our mission, our work, and our learning inside and outside our organization. We affirm that inclusivity and belonging are the foundations of excellence.

Benefits

We invite you to visit Harvard's Total Rewards website ( ) to learn more about our outstanding benefits package, which may include:

• Paid Time Off: 3-4 weeks of accrued vacation time per year (3 weeks for support staff and 4 weeks for administrative/professional staff), 12 accrued sick days per year, 12.5 holidays plus a Winter Recess in December/January, 3 personal days per year (prorated based on date of hire), and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents who are primary care givers.
• Health and Welfare: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits, disability and life insurance programs, along with voluntary benefits. Most coverage begins as of your start date.
• Work/Life and Wellness: Child and elder/adult care resources including on campus childcare centers, Employee Assistance Program, and wellness programs related to stress management, nutrition, meditation, and more.
• Retirement: University-funded retirement plan with contributions from 5% to 15% of eligible compensation, based on age and earnings with full vesting after 3 years of service.
• Tuition Assistance Program: Competitive program including $40 per class at the Harvard Extension School and reduced tuition through other participating Harvard graduate schools.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Program that provides 75% to 90% reimbursement up to $5,250 per calendar year for eligible courses taken at other accredited institutions.
• Professional Development: Programs and classes at little or no cost, including through the Harvard Center for Workplace Development and LinkedIn Learning.
• Commuting and Transportation: Various commuter options handled through the Parking Office, including discounted parking, half-priced public transportation passes and pre-tax transit passes, biking benefits, and more.
• Harvard Facilities Access, Discounts and Perks: Access to Harvard athletic and fitness facilities, libraries, campus events, credit union, and more, as well as discounts to various types of services (legal, financial, etc.) and cultural and leisure activities throughout metro-Boston.

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