About the Company

First Citizens Bank provides financial services and supports business operations through technology, data, and analytics solutions. Its Cloud Data and AI Platform organization focuses on developing modern data capabilities that support enterprise reporting, business intelligence, and operational decision-making.

About the Role

First Citizens Bank is seeking a Lead Data Engineer to join its Data Platform Engineering Organization. This role will lead the design, development, and modernization of enterprise data platforms, delivering scalable cloud-based solutions that support analytics, reporting, and business operations. The ideal candidate will bring hands-on expertise in cloud data platforms, data warehousing, and ETL/ELT development, along with the ability to mentor engineers and establish strong engineering practices. Working with AWS services, Snowflake, dbt, Python, and SQL, you will collaborate with engineers, product partners, and business stakeholders to deliver reliable data products and advance the organization's data engineering capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the design, development, and implementation of enterprise data solutions using AWS services, Snowflake, dbt, Python, SQL, and related cloud technologies. Develop and support data warehouses, Operational Data Stores (ODS), and ETL/ELT pipelines for analytics, reporting, and operational data needs. Design and implement batch and real-time data processing solutions using streaming and event-driven architectures. Collaborate with business stakeholders, analysts, and technology teams to translate business requirements into scalable data solutions. Define and promote data quality strategies, testing standards, governance practices, and compliance controls throughout the data platform lifecycle. Establish data validation frameworks, dbt testing standards, and quality controls to maintain trusted data products. Define monitoring, observability, and operational reliability standards, including dashboards, alerts, service-level objectives (SLOs), and service-level agreements (SLAs). Establish deployment strategies, environment promotion standards, and release governance practices for secure and reliable platform delivery. Participate in technical discussions, peer reviews, and knowledge-sharing initiatives across the data engineering team. Use AI-powered development and productivity tools to accelerate delivery, improve code quality, and increase engineering efficiency. Mentor team members and promote engineering best practices across the organization.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree and at least 6 years of experience in data engineering, data warehousing, cloud data platforms, or related technology disciplines; or a high school diploma or GED and at least 10 years of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Advanced experience with cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform (GCP). Advanced experience with modern data warehousing and large-scale data processing technologies, including Snowflake, Spark, or equivalent platforms. Advanced proficiency in Python and SQL. Advanced experience designing, developing, orchestrating, and supporting ETL/ELT pipelines and data integration solutions using dbt, Apache Airflow, Astronomer, or equivalent cloud-native technologies. Strong knowledge of data modeling, data warehousing, and data engineering best practices. Experience developing scalable, reliable, high-performing data engineering solutions in enterprise environments. Experience collaborating with business and technology stakeholders to deliver data-driven solutions. Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills. Additional Preferred Experience Experience with enterprise ETL/ELT tools such as DataStage, SAP BODS, SSIS, Informatica, or equivalent technologies. Experience developing and supporting Operational Data Stores, analytics platforms, and data products. Experience with Snowflake Cortex, Change Data Capture (CDC), streaming, and real-time data ingestion technologies such as Kafka, Amazon Kinesis, Qlik Replicate, and Snowpipe Streaming. Experience integrating data across AWS, on-premises, and Snowflake environments, with an understanding of enterprise security, governance, and compliance frameworks. Experience with Data Vault modeling and modern data warehousing methodologies. Experience leading technical initiatives, mentoring engineers, and promoting engineering best practices. Experience in financial services, banking, or other highly regulated industries. Familiarity with Tableau, Power BI, or other analytics and visualization platforms. Experience using AI-powered development and productivity tools to improve engineering efficiency and delivery outcomes. Relevant certifications, such as AWS Certified Data Engineer – Associate, AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate or Professional, SnowPro Core, SnowPro Advanced Data Engineer, or equivalent cloud and data platform certifications. Location and Work Arrangement Remote work is available only to candidates located in North Carolina, Arizona, Texas, or Florida.

Benefits

First Citizens Bank offers a total rewards program that includes a benefits package designed to support the needs of its associates. Further details are available through the bank's benefits information.