Data Engineer

Welcome to San Diego International Airport, where our core purpose is to create an exceptional experience for both our community and visitors from around the world. It extends beyond just flights; we embody the vibrant spirit of San Diego itself—sunny, welcoming, and full of life. We are committed to attracting, fostering, and empowering a team of talented individuals who can deliver our strategic goals:

• Advance Airport Development
• Transform the Customer Experience
• Optimize Ongoing Business
• Cultivate Our Culture

Here, you’ll find a workplace culture that is anchored in our collective mindsets: collaboration, empathy, inclusivity, thoughtful decision-making, active listening, and always believing the best in people. If you are ready to contribute to a team that values meaningful impact and enjoys the journey along the way, we invite you to apply today and help us connect our community to the world.

Why You'll Love Working at SAN:

• Location:  The new Airport Authority Administration building, located on the San Diego International Airport campus and near the waterfront, providing stunning views of our runway, San Diego Bay, the Pacific Ocean, and the city skyline.
• Hybrid Work Schedule: We offer a flexible hybrid schedule, with an opportunity for remote work based on operational requirements, while supporting both in-office collaboration and remote productivity. 
• Salary: The hiring salary for Data Engineer is starting at $108,460. The full pay range for Data Engineer is $92,701-$148,322.
• Benefits: You will enjoy 14 paid holidays, 18 – 33 days of vacation (PTO), parental and child care benefits, salary continuance for family & parental leave, tuition reimbursement, ensure your future with our retirement plan options including our comprehensive pension plan and 457 defined contribution plan. Plus, take advantage of our annual employer-funded Lifestyle Spending Account, designed to support your personal development and growth activities—and much more!
• Wellness: Take advantage of multiple on-site gyms with regular fitness classes, outdoor working areas, fitness discounts for all levels and goals, monthly fruit deliveries, rewards for volunteer time, financial wellness advisors, and a campus with easy access to some of San Diego's best walking trails.
• Application Deadline: .July 29, 2025. Applications will be reviewed after the closing date.

About the Job:

The Business Intelligence department is looking for a Data Engineer with a consultative approach to pipeline development and data architecture to support high-impact, enterprise-wide analytics. This role is responsible for designing, building, and maintaining the infrastructure that powers operational insights and long-term planning at San Diego International Airport. As a key contributor within a lean, agile team, the Data Engineer partners directly with stakeholders to understand evolving needs, balance competing priorities, and deliver scalable solutions that meet both technical and strategic goals.

The ideal candidate will have a strong foundation in cloud platforms, SQL and NoSQL databases, ETL/ELT pipelines, and data warehousing concepts. They should be highly adaptable, thrive in fast-moving environments, and feel confident acting as a subject matter expert across departments. A calm, even-keeled presence and the ability to pivot are essential for success in this space.

This is more than just engineering pipelines—it’s enabling the future of air travel in San Diego. You’ll be directly contributing to infrastructure projects, operational insights, and regional mobility strategy at one of the most complex and high-performing single-runway airports in the US.

What You’ll Do:

• Build and Maintain Pipelines: Design and manage ETL/ELT pipelines that collect, process, and store data from various internal and external source systems.
• Develop Scalable Infrastructure: Maintain and optimize databases, data warehouses, and data lakes using tools like SQL, T-SQL, Oracle, MySQL, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, or Snowflake.
• Leverage Modern Platforms: Utilize cloud environments such as AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud, and support BI tools like Tableau, Power BI, as well as data platforms like Snowflake.
• Ensure Data Integrity and Security: Apply data governance, audit controls, and cleansing techniques to ensure accurate, secure, and compliant data assets.
• Collaborate across Teams: Work closely with internal stakeholders to translate business needs into technical solutions—without a dedicated PM, strong communication is key.
• Support Advanced Analytics: Structure and prepare datasets for machine learning and predictive modeling, ensuring data is accessible and reliable for analysis.
• Stay Current with Trends: Monitor and adopt emerging technologies in data engineering, cloud computing, and database management to enhance future-readiness.

The Skills You Need:

1. Problem Solving & Agility – Quickly analyzes challenges, adapts to shifting priorities, and identifies practical solutions in dynamic environments.
2. Critical Thinking – Translates business needs into data requirements with a strategic and analytical mindset.
3. Communication & Collaboration – Effectively engages stakeholders across departments, communicates clearly, and builds trusted working relationships.
4. Process Knowledge – Understands data workflows and develops frameworks that support efficient implementation and continuous improvement.
5. Leveraging Technology – Demonstrated experience working with modern data and cloud technologies, including Tableau, Power BI, AWS, Azure, and both SQL and NoSQL databases. Proficient in managing and optimizing database systems such as Oracle, T-SQL, MySQL, PostgreSQL, and MongoDB. Skilled in ETL/ELT processes and well-versed in data warehousing concepts, including star schema, snowflake schema, and columnar storage architectures.
6. Data Quality & Governance – Maintains high standards of data accuracy, consistency, and compliance through rigorous quality controls and security measures.

Requirements

The Experience You Need to Have**:

• Four years of experience in data engineering, or any equivalent combination of education, training, and/or experience.
• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in computer science, information systems, or a closely related field.

Preferred Licenses; Certificates; Special Requirements:

• Master’s degree in computer science, information systems, big data analytic, or a closely related field.
• Certifications such as SnowPro Core, SnowPro Advanced Architect, AWS Certified Data Analytics – Specialty, AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, Azure Data Engineer Associate (DP-203), Azure Solutions Architect Expert (AZ-305), Google Cloud Professional Data Engineer, Google Cloud Professional Cloud Architect, or Databricks Certified Data Engineer Associate are desirable and may be considered a compensable factor.
• Experience in the aviation industry or airport operations is also desirable.

*Driving is an Essential Function

This role requires regular driving as a critical part of performing work-related duties, specifically involving the operation of Airport Authority vehicles. A valid California driver’s license is required, along with strict adherence to all traffic laws and safety regulations. Applicants must maintain an acceptable driving record to operate Authority vehicles. Compliance with Airport Authority vehicle use policies, including safety protocols and reporting requirements, is mandatory. Applicants must acknowledge that driving Airport Authority vehicles is an essential function of this role. 

**Don’t meet every requirement? That’s okay. At San Diego International Airport, we value your unique experience and your willingness to learn. Some roles require specific qualifications or degrees, but others don’t—and we're always open to individuals committed to growth and excellence. If this sounds like you, we encourage you to apply. And if it’s not the right fit, we’ll keep you in mind for future opportunities. We may have the perfect spot for you to land.

EEO Statement

It is the policy of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, SDCRAA will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Physical & Mental Demands

Persons with disabilities may be able to perform the essential duties of this class with reasonable accommodation. Reasonable accommodation will be evaluated on an individual basis and depends, in part, on the specific requirements for the job, the limitations related to disability and the ability of the hiring department to accommodate the limitation. If you need any form of accommodation during the recruitment process, please inform the Talent Acquisition Partner (Recruiter).

Under California Government Code Sections 3100 - 3109, public employees are designated disaster service workers. The term "public employees" includes all persons employed by the state or any county, city, state agency, or public district. Disaster service workers are required to participate in such disaster service activities as they may be assigned to them by their employer or law.