What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Data Engineering position at Vaco by Highspring?
We're partnered with a Tempe-based organization undertaking a major modernization of its enterprise data platform, with a central focus on Lakehouse architecture. This role will lead the strategy and execution of a Databricks-based Lakehouse implementation, serving as the backbone for analytics, reporting, and downstream AI initiatives.
This is a senior leadership role for someone who has been through a Lakehouse build before,understands what works, what breaks, and what needs to be governed early so it doesn't turn into an expensive data swamp.
What You'll Be DoingLakehouse Strategy & Implementation (Core Focus)
Own the design and execution of a Lakehouse architecture, ideally on Databricks
Lead platform decisions around ingestion, transformation, storage, and consumption layers
Establish best practices for Delta Lake, data modeling, governance, and cost control
Partner with analytics and data science teams to ensure the platform supports real workloads - not slide decks
Data Engineering Leadership
Build, mentor, and scale a high-performing data engineering organization
Set standards for code quality, reliability, observability, and delivery discipline
Balance hands-on technical oversight with senior-level leadership and delegation
Enterprise Data Enablement
Champion data governance, lineage, quality, and security as first-class concerns
Act as a trusted advisor to senior leadership on data architecture and platform evolution
Translate technical tradeoffs into clear business implications for non-technical stakeholders
Operational Excellence
Ensure data pipelines meet expectations for reliability, scalability, and performance
Drive best practices around orchestration, CI/CD, and monitoring
Avoid both extremes: "move fast and break everything" and bureaucratic gridlock
Lakehouse experience: Direct involvement in a Lakehouse implementation, ideally using Databricks in production
Senior data engineering leadership: 10-15 years in data roles with meaningful team and platform ownership
Enterprise mindset: Experience operating data platforms with governance, security, and real business accountability
Azure-based data platforms
Snowflake or hybrid Lakehouse / warehouse environments
Unity Catalog, data lineage, or MDM tooling exposure
Experience modernizing legacy data ecosystems into Lakehouse architectures
Not theoretical Lakehouse experience ("read the blog posts")
Not a hands-off manager detached from architecture decisions
Not a pure greenfield startup - this is modernization with constraints
Opportunity to shape and own a Lakehouse platform at the enterprise level
Strong executive visibility and influence
Backing to build the right platform - not just duct-tape the old one
Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco/Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual's skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, office location and other geographic considerations, as well as other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco/Highspring notes the salary range for the role is noted in this job posting. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's 401(k) retirement plan. Additional disclaimer: Unless otherwise noted in the job description, the position Vaco/Highspring is filing for is occupied. Please note, however, that Vaco/Highspring is regularly asked to provide talent to other organizations. By submitting to this position, you are agreeing to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. Submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase within Vaco/Highspring will be otherwise assessed by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco/Highspring does not have knowledge of the tools used by its clients in making final hiring decisions and cannot opine on their use of AI products.
Vaco by Highspring values a diverse workplace and strongly encourages women, people of color, LGBTQ individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply.
Vaco by Highspring is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by federal, state or local law.
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Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to:
- the individual's skill sets, experience and training;
- licensure and certification requirements;
- office location and other geographic considerations;
- other business and organizational needs.
With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses.