Principal Data & Analytics Engineer

The Principal Data & Analytics Engineer serves as a technical leader for Iridium’s modern data platform, connecting data engineering and analytics engineering to deliver scalable, trusted, business-ready data products. This hybrid role in Chandler, AZ focuses on establishing engineering standards and mentoring engineers while transforming enterprise data into reliable dimensional and semantic models.

Key Responsibilities

• Apply data modeling and transformation skills to convert raw data into business-ready dimensional models and star schemas, including data marts and semantic models for self-service Business Intelligence and AI
• Design, build, and optimize scalable end-to-end ELT/ETL pipelines for ingesting both structured and unstructured data from diverse sources
• Create automated scheduling, monitoring, and orchestration to support data freshness and pipeline reliability
• Collaborate with data owners and governance stakeholders to define data governance policies and procedures that support data quality, compliance, and robust data security for sensitive information
• Partner with business stakeholders and the IT analytics team to identify data needs, translate them into technical specifications, and work with data engineers to implement solutions
• Communicate data platform architecture and capabilities to technical and non-technical audiences
• Support the development and delivery of training related to data and analytics platform capabilities and content
• Provide technical authority across projects, delivering technical leadership and mentoring for the team
• Mentor and guide junior data engineers to strengthen continuous learning and improvement

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Information Systems, or a related field of study
• 10+ years of related experience leading complex technical projects, DataOps, and data engineering
• Expertise designing data models across different data types and use cases
• Deep experience with relational databases, including advanced SQL skills
• Experience with modern cloud data platforms and tools such as Snowflake, Databricks, and dbt
• Familiarity with data warehouse concepts, data lake architecture, and data analytics tools
• Proficiency in cloud platforms including AWS, Azure, and GCP for storage and processing
• Understanding of data governance principles, data privacy regulations, and data security best practices
• Programming knowledge such as Python, Java, or Scala for data processing and automation
• Excellent communication skills to convey products, deliverables, analyses, and issues clearly, adapting communication approaches as needed
• Familiarity with agile development processes and tools including JIRA, GIT, and Confluence
• Ability to build meaningful relationships, including with senior leadership outside the department, and provide constructive feedback to team members and management
• Capability to analyze problems, develop effective solutions, and drive them through completion
• Comfort managing multiple tasks and shifting priorities in a dynamic environment
• Proactive approach to sharing knowledge learned with others

Preferred (Additional) Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Engineering, Information Systems, or a related field of study
• Experience in telecommunications, ground networks, and/or the satellite communications industry
• Familiarity with agile development tools (JIRA, GIT, Confluence, etc.)
• Strong knowledge of data engineering methodologies, DevOps/DataOps, and Agile processes

Technology Stack

• Snowflake, Databricks, dbt, ELT, ETL
• SQL, Python, Java, Scala
• AWS, Azure, GCP
• JIRA, GIT, Confluence

Compensation and Location

Location: Chandler, AZ (hybrid)

Salary: USD 140,000 - 192,000 per year

Experience Level: 10+ years

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Information Systems or a related field of study

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage
• 401(k) retirement plan options
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Paid parental leave
• Company stock
• Annual bonus
• Other discounts and perks

Work Schedule, Travel, and Eligibility

• Occasional travel (quarterly)
• Hybrid schedule including at least 60% of time (3 days per week) in-office and 2 days from home
• US Citizenship required

Work Environment

• Primarily office-based work with a largely sedentary setting and the majority performed on a computer
• Use of basic office equipment such as a phone, video, computer, keyboard, mouse, and printer
• Under Iridium’s Hybrid Work Policy, employees are expected to work at least three days per week (approximately 60%) in an Iridium office to support collaboration, relationship-building, and professional growth

Additional Notes on Leadership and Collaboration

This role emphasizes technical authority, architecture communication, and hands-on mentoring to support both engineering execution and stakeholder alignment across business and IT analytics teams.