Director - Data Platform Core Framework

About this role

The Director - Data Platform Core Framework is the chief architect for the Aladdin Enterprise Data Platform (EDP). This role necessitates expertise as a full stack data engineer, DevOps developer, and modern data platform architect. EDP comprises various data infrastructure components coupled with frameworks and development tools designed for data acquisition, ingestion, transformation, warranty, and distribution. The Data Platform Director ensures that each component integrates seamlessly into a cohesive system and maintains consistency and standards throughout the environment, focusing on foundational tools, components, and their interfaces.

• Define the architecture and set the technical strategic vision for the data platform.
• Create a roadmap and continually update the plan for the platform's development.
• Specify scope, tools, and interface contracts for framework components (including APIs, SDKs, configuration, metadata).
• Institute best practices and standards for development, testing, releasing, and codebase management.
• Lead design and code reviews.
• Participate in broader architecture groups and act as the primary liaison to other framework, platform, infrastructure, cloud, database, and vendor teams. Advocate for the platform and help prioritize continuous improvement efforts.
• Establish a learning program for the team and mentor them in new technologies, best-in-class coding standards, and adherence to architectural principles.
• Create and enforce best practices, code quality standards, agile development methods, CI/CD procedures, and testing frameworks.
• Architect and implement solutions to optimize performance, reliability, and scalability.
• Provide level-3 support to troubleshoot operations, availability, and latency issues. Address complex operational and performance problems.
• Research and evaluate innovative technologies and trends in data engineering and assist in transforming legacy processes onto EDP.
• Deliver a leading-edge DataOps ecosystem based on automated CI/CD processes.

• BS/MS in Computer Science or a related field, or equivalent work experience. A graduate degree in Finance or MBA is desirable.
• Experience in Financial Services (Buy-side, Sell-side, Asset Management).
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to build and nurture a broad network beyond your management chain.
• 12+ years of experience in big data, data warehousing, data lakes, data architecture, and data engineering.
• Strong knowledge of ETL / ELT tools and processes, relational databases, advanced SQL development, data modeling, and advanced data pipeline architectures. Snowflake and dbt with Jinja templating experience required.
• Ability to design and build using modern orchestration and containerization platforms, particularly Airflow, Kubernetes, and Docker.
• Development experience in multiple programming languages; proficiency in Python is mandatory.
• Understanding and experience with batch, micro-batch, and streaming pipeline development. Able to implement common pipeline design patterns (e.g., SCD). Experience with replication tools and messaging brokers like Kafka.
• Experience with cloud platforms (Azure, AWS, GCP) and object storage such as Azure Data Lake Storage gen 2 and S3.
• Strong understanding of and experience with DataOps concepts, CI/CD, ADO/Git repo management, release management, and Agile software development practices.
• Experience with big data technologies, such as Hadoop and Spark.

Our benefits

To help you stay energized, engaged and inspired, we offer a wide range of employee benefits including: retirement investment and tools designed to help you in building a sound financial future; access to education reimbursement; comprehensive resources to support your physical health and emotional well-being; family support programs; and Flexible Time Off (FTO) so you can relax, recharge and be there for the people you care about.

Our hybrid work model

BlackRock’s hybrid work model is designed to enable a culture of collaboration and apprenticeship that enriches the experience of our employees, while supporting flexibility for all. Employees are currently required to work at least 4 days in the office per week, with the flexibility to work from home 1 day a week. Some business groups may require more time in the office due to their roles and responsibilities. We remain focused on increasing the impactful moments that arise when we work together in person – aligned with our commitment to performance and innovation. As a new joiner, you can count on this hybrid model to accelerate your learning and onboarding experience here at BlackRock.

About BlackRock

At BlackRock, we are all connected by one mission: to help more and more people experience financial well-being.  Our clients, and the people they serve, are saving for retirement, paying for their children’s educations, buying homes and starting businesses. Their investments also help to strengthen the global economy: support businesses small and large; finance infrastructure projects that connect and power cities; and facilitate innovations that drive progress.

This mission would not be possible without our smartest investment – the one we make in our employees. It’s why we’re dedicated to creating an environment where our colleagues feel welcomed, valued and supported with networks, benefits and development opportunities to help them thrive.

For additional information on BlackRock, please visit @blackrock | Twitter: @blackrock | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/blackrock

BlackRock is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to age, disability, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation and other protected characteristics at law.