Senior Manager IT Data Engineering

Position Summary

The Senior Manager, IT Data Engineering is a critical leader within the IT Data Leadership team, overseeing both the Data Engineering and Data Operations teams at JetBlue. The Senior Manager drives the strategy and execution of the organization’s data engineering and operations capabilities, ensuring efficient data integration, automation, and delivery of scalable, high-quality data solutions. With expertise in leading teams and processes, the Senior Manager ensures that the data engineering team continuously evolves to meet business needs while maintaining operational excellence. This role requires a proactive leader who fosters an environment of growth, collaboration, and innovation, guiding the team to unlock the full potential of JetBlue’s data assets.
 

This role partners closely with Data Scientists, Architecture, Security, IT Infrastructure, Development, and Product Managers, as well as key external partners, to create cohesive, enterprise-wide data strategies and solutions that support the business's highest priorities. The Senior Manager is an integral part of JetBlue’s data transformation, ensuring cross-functional collaboration, and scalable solutions that deliver high-impact business value.
 

The Senior Manager reports to the Director, IT Data Engineering, and plays a key role in developing the data roadmap, ensuring alignment with the company's strategic goals. This leader is expected to foster a culture of trust, transparency, and accountability in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

Essential Responsibilities

• Lead the strategy, design, and execution of JetBlue’s data engineering and operations teams, ensuring reliable data pipelines and scalable infrastructure to support business-critical applications.
• Build and manage a high-performing team of data engineers and data operations professionals, promoting innovation and efficiency.
• Oversee the design and development of robust data pipelines (ETL/ELT) to ingest, transform, and integrate data across disparate sources, ensuring seamless integration into the Enterprise Data Warehouse and data lakes.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Product, IT, Analytics, and Business Units) to identify data opportunities and drive the creation of data products that enhance decision-making and business outcomes.
• Ensure best practices for data governance, quality, and security are implemented across all platforms, aligning with industry standards and JetBlue’s compliance requirements.
• Drive operational excellence in data platform management, ensuring high availability, performance, and reliability of data systems.
• Advocate for continuous improvement in processes, tools, and technology stacks to ensure the team is equipped to meet evolving data challenges.
• Manage vendor relationships and ensure external partnerships deliver value to JetBlue’s data initiatives.
• Develop and manage budgets, forecasts, and resource allocations, ensuring alignment with JetBlue’s strategic objectives.
• Actively participate in hiring, developing, and retaining top talent within the data engineering and operations functions.
• Drive initiatives to increase data literacy and promote a data-driven culture across JetBlue.
• Take a significant role in the development of crewmembers to support their engagement, growth, and goal achievement.   
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Experience and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related discipline; OR demonstrated capability to perform job responsibilities with a combination of a High School Diploma/GED and at least five (5) years of previous relevant work experience
• Six (6) years of experience leading data engineering or data operations teams in complex enterprise environments.
• Three (3) years of leadership experience, managing cross-functional teams in IT/data.
• Expertise in building, maintaining, and optimizing large-scale data platforms, with experience in cloud-based environments (Azure, Snowflake, Databricks preferred).
• Hands-on experience with modern data integration tools and frameworks (e.g., ELT/ETL, real-time processing, batch processing).
• Strong knowledge of data warehousing concepts, data lakes, and data modeling.
• Exceptional communication and collaboration skills, with a proven ability to partner with senior business leaders.
• Experience with Agile methodologies and experience working in fast-paced environments.
• Strong understanding of data governance and security frameworks.
• Available for overnight travel (up to 10%).
• Must pass a pre-employment drug test.
• Must be legally eligible to work in the country in which the position is located.
• Authorization to work in the US is required. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship

Preferred Experience and Qualifications

• Seven (7) years of experience leading data engineering or data operations teams in complex enterprise environments.
• Airline or aviation industry experience.
• Expertise in Azure, Snowflake, Databricks, dbt, and related data management tools.
• Experience implementing data observability, monitoring, and alerting practices.
• Demonstrated success in leading large-scale data migration projects and digital transformation initiatives.
• Experience in managing complex vendor relationships and outsourced projects.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing operational and capital budgets.
• Proven ability to influence and drive alignment across diverse stakeholders and departments.

Crewmember Expectations

• Regular attendance and punctuality
• Potential need to work flexible hours and be available to respond on short-notice, including flexibility to work non-traditional hours and respond to emergency situations.
• Able to maintain a professional appearance
• When working or traveling on JetBlue flights, and if time permits, all capable crewmembers are asked to assist with light cleaning of the aircraft
• Must be an appropriate organizational fit for the JetBlue culture, that is, exhibit the JetBlue values of Safety, Caring, Integrity, Passion and Fun 
• Must fulfill safety accountabilities as prescribed by JetBlue’s Safety Management System
• Promote JetBlue’s #1 value of safety as a Safety Ambassador, supporting JetBlue’s Safety Management System (SMS) components, Safety Policy, and behavioral standards
• Identify safety and/or security concerns, issues, incidents or hazards that should be reported and report them whenever possible and by any means necessary including JetBlue’s confidential reporting systems (Aviation Safety Action Program (ASAP) and Safety Action Report (SAR))
• Responsible for adhering to all applicable laws, regulations (FAA, OSHA, DOT, etc.) and Company policies, procedures and risk controls 
• Uphold JetBlue’s safety performance metric goals and understand how they relate to their duties and responsibilities
• The use of ChatGPT or any other automated tool during the interview process will disqualify a candidate from being considered for the position.

Equipment:

• Computer and other office equipment

Work Environment:                                                                                                    

• Traditional office environment

Physical Effort:

• Generally not required, or up to 10 pounds occasionally, 0 pounds frequently. (Sedentary)

Compensation:

• The base pay range for this position is between $145,000.00 and $210,100.00 per year. Base pay is one component of JetBlue’s total compensation package, which may also include performance bonuses, restricted stock units, as well as access to healthcare benefits, a 401(k) plan and company match, crewmember stock purchase plan, short-term and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance, free space available travel on JetBlue, and more.

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