Director of Data Engineering & Architecture
Date Posted: Apr 15, 2026
Requisition ID: 476162
Location:
Indianapolis, IN, US, 46204
Work for Indiana
Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.
About the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD):
Our mission is to develop a premier workforce that will allow Indiana employers to flourish and entice businesses from outside our state to relocate to Indiana. Everyone at DWD will be required to think outside-the-box; to determine metrics that will allow for measurement and improvement and efficiencies to be made along the way. Cutting edge technologies will be utilized to help assess Indiana's employment future. If managed properly, Indiana's workforce will be second to none and completely prepared for the next phase of the state and country's economic growth.
Role Overview:
The Director of Data Engineering & Architecture provides strategic leadership and oversight for the agency's enterprise data platforms, ensuring systems are secure, scalable, and aligned with agency priorities. This role directs the design and operational management of transactional databases, data pipelines, and cloud or hybrid data environments that support critical programs and high-volume workloads. The Director establishes enterprise data models, integration standards, and performance expectations to ensure reliability, accuracy, and long-term sustainability of the agency's data assets.
This position leads the implementation of modern data ingestion, transformation, and orchestration frameworks, including batch and real-time processing strategies. The Director oversees performance optimization, capacity planning, CI/CD processes, and Infrastructure-as-Code practices to promote controlled releases and responsible use of state resources. The role ensures appropriate monitoring, observability, and fault-tolerance mechanisms are in place to maintain service-level objectives and operational continuity.
The Director also administers enterprise data security and compliance standards, including encryption, role-based access controls, identity integration, and disaster recovery strategies. This role maintains direct accountability for data integrity, platform reliability, and regulatory compliance while ensuring the data environment supports advanced analytics and reporting needs. The position requires strong technical expertise combined with proven leadership in guiding teams, setting direction, and aligning data architecture with the agency's mission.
Salary Statement:
The salary for this position traditionally starts at $93,002.00 but may be commensurate with education or work experience.
A Day in the Life:
The essential functions of this role are as follows:
Develops strategy for information technology system and the designs the infrastructure necessary to support that strategy, with a focus on the entire system development lifecycle, from conception to deployment.
Leads data engineering team, conducts code reviews, enforces data standards, oversees sprint execution, and ensures reliable enterprise data platform delivery.
Leads deployment and administration of cloud and hybrid data platforms, configuring compute, storage, CI/CD pipelines, performance, capacity, and cost optimization.
Leads, develops, and mentors a team of data engineers and architects, fostering accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Develops and establishes standards for the organization's information technology database structures and provides guidance and recommendations to agency leadership, including making strategic decisions on technologies and their implementation.
Directs and enforces enterprise data architecture standards and integration frameworks to ensure consistency, scalability, and long-term sustainability across the agency.
Provides subject matter expertise to support the selection of technology tools, systems, and vendors related to processing, data storage, data access, applications development, and other operational information technology elements, while advising senior leadership on selection opportunities and associated risks.
Provides information technology architectural guidance and support across one or more organizations within the state enterprise, fostering alignment and consistency in architectural practices.
Provides senior guidance to IT and agency management on the need and impact of future projects, with an emphasis on optimizing technology needs against budget constraints. Mentors junior architects and contributes to team knowledge sharing to strengthen overall architectural capabilities.
Provides senior guidance to IT and agency management on IT budgeting, revenues, expenses, and cost forecasting; may be responsible for managing one or more projects or team budgets. Collaborate with business stakeholders to translate business needs into technical solutions.
The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time.
This position is exempt from overtime compensation for additional work hours which may be required to complete essential functions or other assigned work. Exempt employees may work more than 75 hours in a pay period without additional compensation and must report a minimum of 75 hours per pay period of work hours and/or paid leave taken to receive their base biweekly salary.
What You'll Need for Success:
Individuals in this role should minimally be able to articulate or demonstrate the following:
Extensive knowledge of ETL/ELT, CDC, distributed processing, SQL/Python transformations, orchestration, monitoring.
Extensive Knowledge of API architecture, integration modernization, batch-to-real-time migration strategies, distributed systems, and secure enterprise data exchange frameworks.
Demonstrated experience with and knowledge of the documentation of IT/security strategy, policy, and procedures, with emphasis on identifying and implementing best practices.
Demonstrated experience of business drivers, tech strategy, and software arch. goals to develop and deliver clear, comprehensive data, technical and product architecture.
Ability to formulate sound recommendations, make appropriate decisions, and initiate corrective actions on multiple projects with competing deadlines while considering potential impact on agency/division/or state.
Ability to identify and articulate the potential technological and budget impact of decisions on the current or emerging information technology mission.
Experience developing, prioritizing, and maintaining effective working relationships with technical and non-technical stakeholders, up to/including corporate-level leadership.
Ability to lead IT/security business units in the development and implementation of architectural, operational, and compliance standards while meeting relevant regulatory requirements.
Ability to delegate work, set clear direction, manage workflow, give feedback, provide guidance or corrective action, coach, and develop employee skillsets.
Extensive expertise in cloud and hybrid architectures, CI/CD automation, infrastructure-as-code, performance tuning, capacity planning, monitoring, and cost optimization.
Ability to collaborate between business units, architecture, operations, and security on the development and implementation of operational and compliance standards as well as meeting relevant regulatory requirements.
Strongly effective problem-solving, analytical, and critical-thinking skills.
A degree is not required. However, at least 7+ years of experience applying the outlined knowledge, skills, and abilities in a similar role may be considered.
Individuals should have the ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:
This role may be utilized in a supervisory capacity based on agency needs.
Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:
The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:
Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match
Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
Education Reimbursement Program
Group life insurance
Referral Bonus program
Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
Free Parking for most positions
Free LinkedIn Learning access
Equal Employment Opportunity:
The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at jobs@spd.IN.gov.
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