AlationApache AirflowAtlanBigQueryDatabricksDatabricks AI/BIdbt CloudDelta Live TablesGitGitHubPythonSnowflakeSQLTableauUnity Catalog
Required qualifications
Field of studyComputer Science, Data Engineering, Information Systems, Statistics (or related)
Study levelBachelor's
Preferred qualifications
CertificationsDatabricks Certified Data Engineer, Dbt Certified Developer
Original posting
ABOUT US
Do you have a passion for higher education? Do you want to make a positive impact on the college admissions process? Our staff help to remove barriers and encourage students to forge their path to a better future. Common App is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to the pursuit of access, equity, and integrity in the college admission process. Each year we support more than 1 million students, one-third of whom are first-generation, as they apply to our more than 1100 diverse member colleges & universities using the Common App's free online application.
If you are an experienced analytics professional and want to be part of a mission-driven non-profit that uses innovative technology to advance the college admission process, Common App may be a great match for you. Common App is currently searching for a Analytics Engineer.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Analytics Engineer is the technical architect responsible for evolving Common App’s shared data warehouse, semantic layer, and reusable data assets to enable scalable analytics, data governance, and artificial intelligence readiness across the organization. This role is central to operationalizing governance standards within enterprise systems and building the shared data foundations that power the Applied Analytics and Research team.
Reporting to the Senior Director, Analytics Engineering, the Analytics Engineer partners with Data Engineering and Applied Analytics and Research to deliver insight-ready data, and with Data Governance to ensure that governance rules and standards are technically enforceable within the enterprise data platform. This role focuses on developing Common App’s reporting schema, refactoring existing tables and pipelines for performance, cost efficiency, and maintainability; designing and implementing automated data quality frameworks; establishing monitoring and alerting for critical datasets and pipelines; maintaining warehouse data documentation; and architecting data products that structure the platform for scalability, quality, and self-service.
The Analytics Engineer is a recognized subject matter expert in data platform engineering who combines deep data modeling expertise with a platform mindset, delivers outstanding results, and drives innovation in how Common App's shared data infrastructure is designed and governed.
Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS
This role requires:
Candidates must live in the United States.
Hybrid Work & Travel: Employees can live anywhere in the US or its territories, with the willingness and ability to travel for periodic in-person events—including semi-annual Common App retreats, department retreats, and strategic leadership sessions.
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Engineering, Statistics, or a closely related quantitative or technical field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
5-8 years of progressive experience in analytics engineering, data engineering, or a closely related data platform role.
Demonstrated experience working within an enterprise data warehouse environment at scale, including ownership of data models, transformation pipelines, and data quality processes.
Experience implementing data governance requirements — such as retention, deletion, or PII controls — within a production data platform.
Strong expertise in SQL and data modeling, including dimensional modeling, star/snowflake schemas, and modern data transformation approaches.
Demonstrated experience designing, building, and maintaining data pipelines and transformation layers within cloud data warehouse platforms (e.g., Databricks, Snowflake, BigQuery, or equivalent).
Experience with Databricks-specific features, including Unity Catalog, Delta Live Tables, or Databricks workflows.
Experience designing and maintaining a semantic layer or metrics layer that serves multiple downstream consumers, including BI tools, analysts, and AI systems.
Demonstrated thought leadership in data platform engineering, with a track record of innovating and contributing to the advancement of analytics engineering practices within or beyond the organization.
Proven ability to contribute to long-term platform planning and influence organizational data strategies through technical expertise and cross-functional engagement.
Demonstrated experience implementing automated data quality frameworks, including pipeline-embedded tests, validation logic, and monitoring/alerting for production datasets.
Understanding of data governance concepts and experience translating governance requirements – including data retention, PII handling, and access controls – into technical implementations within data platforms.
Proficiency in Python for data engineering and analytics workloads; familiarity with orchestration tools (e.g., Apache Airflow, dbt Cloud, or Databricks AI/BI).
Experience designing and implementing data products and reusable data assets for self-service analytic consumption.
Strong documentation practices, with the ability to create and maintain clear, accurate data dictionaries, lineage records, and model descriptions.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with analysts, researchers, data scientists, and governance stakeholders of varying technical backgrounds.
Strong collaboration and influencing skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships with stakeholders across technical and non-technical functions and drive outcomes without formal authority.
Proficiency in collaboration and version control tools (GitHub, Git).
The ideal candidate will possess:
Advanced training and experience in Tableau for semantic layer integration and BI dashboard development.
Familiarity with data catalog and metadata management tools (e.g., Alation, Atlan, or similar).
Experience working with Agile frameworks for cross-functional, product-minded collaboration.
Experience in the higher education, nonprofit, or mission-driven technology sector.
Relevant data engineering or cloud platform certifications (e.g., Databricks Certified Data Engineer, dbt Certified Developer, or equivalent).
PAY RANGE
$106,080 - $119,340
Benefits
Common App is a virtual first environment. We value our employees’ time and efforts. Our commitment to your success is enhanced by our competitive salary and an extensive benefits package including:
Work-Life balance
Virtual-first office
Paid Time Off (PTO)
Seven company-wide holidays
Nine floating holidays*
Sick leave
Monthly mental health day
*floating holidays prorated depending on start date
Virtual-first support
Choice of PC of MAC laptop
May choose an external monitor, keyboard, mouse, and/or headset
One-time office set-up stipend
Monthly remote work stipend
Monthly mobile stipend
Financial security
Market-based salaries
Performance-based bonus
403(b) retirement plan
5% company contribution
additional 5% company match
3-year vesting schedule
Participation may begin immediately
Health & wellness
Choice of two health insurance plans
Health Savings Account, depending on health plan selection
Medical Flexible Savings Account, depending on health plan selection
Vision insurance
Dental insurance
Insurance coverage begins on the date of hire
Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
Maven virtual clinic for women’s and family health
Company provided life and ad&d insurance
Opportunity to purchase additional life insurance for self, spouse, and dependents
Company provided short and long-term disability insurance
Career development
Budgeted annual funds for professional development
Growth opportunities within the company
Additional perks
Mutual of Omaha Employee Assistance Program
Mutual of Omaha will preparation services
Mutual of Omaha travel assistance
Payroll dedication pet insurance through PinPaws
1Password family account
We work to maintain the best possible environment for our staff, where people can learn and grow. We strive to provide a diverse, collaborative, team-oriented, creative environment where each person feels encouraged to contribute to our processes, decisions, planning, and culture.
HOW DO I APPLY
To apply for this opportunity, send your resume and cover letter with salary expectations.
PROTECTING YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION:
During the recruiting process, please note that Common App will never:
Provide a job offer without an interview
Ask for payment to process documents, purchase equipment or for any other reason
Request banking or credit card information
Direct you to third-party services to obtain visas or other documentation
As we work alongside you through our recruitment process, please remain alert and never provide financial information or payment to anyone claiming to offer a job opportunity.