Head of Data Platform Engineering

Who We Are

At Corebridge Financial, we believe action is everything. That’s why every day we partner with financial professionals and institutions to make it possible for more people to take action in their financial lives, for today and tomorrow.

We align to a set of Values that are the core pillars that define our culture and help bring our brand purpose to life:

• We are stronger as one: We collaborate across the enterprise, scale what works and act   decisively for our customers and partners.
• We deliver on commitments: We are accountable, empower each other and go above and beyond for our stakeholders.
• We learn, improve and innovate: We get better each day by challenging the status quo and equipping ourselves for the future.
• We are inclusive: We embrace different perspectives, enabling our colleagues to make an impact and bring their whole selves to work.

Who You’ll Work With

The Information Technology organization is the technological foundation of our business and works in collaboration with our partners from across the company. The team drives technology and digital transformation, partners with business leaders to design and execute new strategies through IT and operations services and ensures the necessary IT risk management and security measures are in place and aligned with enterprise architecture standards and principles.

About The Role

The Head of Data Platform Engineering will be responsible for leading the strategy, design, implementation, and governance of the enterprise data platform for a leading Life & Annuities Insurance company. This senior leader will drive the modernization of the data landscape, enabling cloud-native big data solutions, ensuring secure and scalable data migrations, and supporting AI/ML initiatives via robust MLOps/ModelOps practices.

The ideal candidate is a seasoned technologist and visionary with deep expertise in big data platforms, cloud architectures, and enterprise-scale data transformations, coupled with strong leadership acumen to manage diverse teams of data engineers, analysts, data scientists, data stewards and MLOps professionals.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: Define and lead the long-term data platform engineering roadmap aligned with business and digital transformation goals. 
• Cloud Data Architecture: Architect and deliver cloud-native data solutions (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP) including data lakes, cloud data warehouses (example Snowflake), ETL frameworks, and real-time streaming pipelines. 
• Platform Engineering: Build and optimize scalable and secure data platforms that support high-volume processing, analytics, and machine learning workloads. 
• Data Migration & Modernization: Lead complex migrations from legacy systems to modern cloud platforms, ensuring minimal disruption and compliance with data governance policies. 
• Data Management & Quality: Oversee Master Data Management (MDM), and partner with Data Governance and Data Security group on metadata management, data cataloging, profiling, and lineage. 
• MLOps/ModelOps Engineering Support: Enable scalable and reliable deployment and monitoring of ML models across platforms; integrate model governance into data pipelines. 
• Technology Evaluation & Selection: Evaluate emerging technologies and tools to ensure the platform remains cutting-edge and aligned with business priorities. 
• Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement: Partner with business, IT, and analytics teams to ensure data solutions meet enterprise needs. 
• Team Leadership: Manage and grow a high-performing global team of data engineers, analysts, and MLOps engineers. Foster a culture of innovation, excellence, and continuous learning. 
• Working with the L&R IT leadership team to embrace contemporary ways of working, attract and develop talent across the firm and leverage economies of scale and shared capabilities. 

Skills and Qualifications

• Business / Industry Knowledge: Demonstrates an understanding of the insurance, financial services industry, especially the life and annuities space and wealth management segments.
• Technical Acumen: 
  • Proven experience with cloud-native data platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP).
  • Expertise in big data technologies (e.g., Hadoop, Spark, Kafka, Databricks).
  • Hands-on experience with ETL/ELT frameworks (e.g., Apache NiFi, Airflow, Talend, dbt).
  • Strong knowledge of cloud data warehouses (e.g., Snowflake, BigQuery, Redshift, Synapse).
  • Deep understanding of data lake architecture and Delta Lake/Apache Iceberg/Hudi.
  • Experience with Master Data Management, data quality, and data governance.
  • Solid understanding of MLOps/ModelOps frameworks (e.g., MLflow, Kubeflow, SageMaker, Vertex AI).
  • Familiarity with IaC and CI/CD for data pipelines (e.g., Terraform, GitOps, Jenkins).
  • Experience in technology and application portfolio rationalization.

• Strategic Positioning: Helps defined business strategy and data strategy by understanding what’s possible with technology and identifies solutions that support enterprise strategy, impact critical business outcomes, and drive organizational success through the evaluation of internal and external business contexts.
• Partnership: Effectively partners with business functions, Chief Data Office and the enterprise to leverage economies of scale meeting a complex set of needs and objectives.
• Cultural Adaptability: Values and consider the perspectives of diverse parties in a global context. Is a role model and organizational leader.
• Talent Cultivation:   Proven track record of identifying trends, staying current with skills and helping build an engineering-oriented culture.  Has strong skills in nurturing and developing talent.
• Critical Thinking:  Able to identify, anticipate and prevent businesses problems and match an appropriate solution; Demonstrates intellectual curiosity identifying or anticipating issues within the client base and the ability to match an optimal solution.
• Decision Quality / Risk Mindset:  Demonstrates good judgement and knows when to involve others; Uses data, logic, analysis, and experience to make evidence-based decisions.
• Learning Agility:  Demonstrates a progressive growth mindset through an ability and willingness to learn from experiences and new situations; Applies past experience to proactively identify opportunities.

Required Experience:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field
• Experience in the Life & Annuities Insurance or financial services sector
• Certifications in cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) or data engineering.
• 20+ years of IT and at least 10+ years of Data Engineering experience.
• Strategic thinker with ability to translate business goals into technical solutions
• Strong leadership in managing large cross-functional and globally distributed teams
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex programs and transformations
• Change management and mentorship capabilities in agile, fast-paced environments
• Influential thought leader and collaborator with a bias for action.

Compensation

The anticipated salary range for this position is $145,000 to $195,000 at the commencement of employment.  Not all candidates will be eligible for the upper end of the salary range. The actual compensation offered will ultimately be dependent on multiple factors, which may include the candidate’s geographic location, skills, experience and other qualifications.

In addition, the position is eligible for a discretionary bonus in accordance with the terms of the applicable incentive plan.

Corebridge also offers a range of competitive benefits as part of the total compensation package, as detailed below.

Work Location

This position is based in Corebridge Financial’s Houston, TX or Jersey City office and is subject to our hybrid working policy, which gives colleagues the benefits of working both in an office and remotely.

Estimated Travel

May include up to 25%.

#LI-SAFG  #LI-CW1 #LI-Hybrid

This role is deemed a “covered associate” under SEC Rule 206(4)-5, 17 CFR § 275.206(4)-5, Political contributions by certain investment advisers, and other federal and state pay-to-play rules. Candidates for the role must not have made any political contributions that, under 17 CFR § 275.206(4)-5 or other federal or state pay-to-play regulations, would disqualify the candidate or Corebridge Financial from conducting Corebridge Financial’s business, or that would otherwise create a conflict of interest for Corebridge Financial. Applicants who are selected to move forward with the application process will be required to disclose all U.S. political contributions they and their household family members have made over the past two years.

Why Corebridge?

At Corebridge Financial, we prioritize the health, well-being, and work-life balance of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits and wellness program is designed to support employees both personally and professionally, ensuring that they have the resources and flexibility needed to thrive.

Benefit Offerings Include:

• Health and Wellness: We offer a range of medical, dental and vision insurance plans, as well as mental health support and wellness initiatives to promote overall well-being.
• Retirement Savings: We offer retirement benefits options, which vary by location.  In the U.S., our competitive 401(k) Plan offers a generous dollar-for-dollar Company matching contribution of up to 6% of eligible pay and a Company contribution equal to 3% of eligible pay (subject to annual IRS limits and Plan terms). These Company contributions vest immediately.
• Employee Assistance Program: Confidential counseling services and resources are available to all employees.
• Matching charitable donations: Corebridge matches donations to tax-exempt organizations 1:1, up to $5,000.
• Volunteer Time Off: Employees may use up to 16 volunteer hours annually to support activities that enhance and serve communities where employees live and work.
• Paid Time Off: Eligible employees start off with at least 24 Paid Time Off (PTO) days so they can take time off for themselves and their families when they need it.

Eligibility for and participation in employer-sponsored benefit plans and Company programs will be subject to applicable law, governing Plan document(s) and Company policy.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer

Corebridge Financial, is committed to being an equal opportunity employer and we comply with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment laws. All applicants will be considered for employment based on job-related qualifications and without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, neurodivergence, age, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. The Company is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status. At Corebridge Financial, we believe that diversity and inclusion are critical to building a creative workplace that leads to innovation, growth, and profitability. Through a wide variety of programs and initiatives, we invest in each employee, seeking to ensure that our colleagues are respected as individuals and valued for their unique perspectives.

Corebridge Financial is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to job applicants and employees, including any accommodations needed on the basis of physical or mental disabilities or sincerely held religious beliefs.  If you believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or to complete any part of the application or hiring process, please send an email to TalentandInclusion@corebridgefinancial.com.  Reasonable accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local law.

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable law.

To learn more please visit: www.corebridgefinancial.com

Functional Area:

IT - Information Technology

Estimated Travel Percentage (%): Up to 25%

Relocation Provided: No

American General Life Insurance Company