Engineering Manager (Data and Platform Engineering)

Caribou·Remote(United States)
Software Development

WFA Digital Insight

The demand for skilled engineering managers in the remote job market has seen significant growth, with a focus on data and platform engineering. As companies like Caribou scale their operations, the need for leaders who can manage complex data platforms and cloud infrastructure efficiently has increased. With the cloud computing market expected to continue its rapid expansion, professionals with expertise in dbt, GCP, and data modeling are in high demand. Caribou, a financial freedom platform, stands out by offering a unique opportunity to work on innovative projects that make a tangible impact on people's lives. Before applying, candidates should be aware of the company's emphasis on collaboration, engineering fundamentals, and a curious, lifelong learning mindset.

Job Description

About the Role

The Engineering Manager position at Caribou is a pivotal role that oversees the development and governance of the company's data platform. This involves leading a team of six engineers, three in data and three in platform engineering, to ensure the full lifecycle of data ingestion, processing, and presentation is managed efficiently. The successful candidate will report directly to the CTO and play a critical role in shaping the architectural vision for Caribou's data platform.

As a leader in the engineering team, the Engineering Manager will be responsible for maturing the medallion and marts architecture, ensuring high-quality, self-service data assets across all business functions. This role requires a deep understanding of data platform engineering, cloud infrastructure, and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.

Caribou operates in a dynamic environment, aiming to give people financial freedom by providing innovative solutions to reduce monthly auto expenses. The company is led by experienced leaders from the technology, automotive, and finance industries and is backed by prominent investors. As such, the Engineering Manager will have the opportunity to work on challenging projects that can significantly impact the company's growth and success.

What You Will Do

  • Shape the architectural vision for Caribou's data platform, ensuring high-quality, self-service data assets across all business functions.
  • Lead the SDLC for the data and platform engineering teams, delivering platform and infrastructure improvements consistently and with clear communication.
  • Strengthen Caribou's GCP infrastructure by growing IaC coverage, optimizing cloud spend, and building platform resiliency.
  • Collaborate with Analytics and Product teams to understand platform needs and translate that context into a prioritized roadmap.
  • Mentor and coach engineers to deepen their expertise across data modeling, platform engineering, and technical leadership.
  • Help shape Caribou's engineering culture, contributing a perspective that touches every part of the business.
  • Develop and maintain comprehensive documentation of the data platform and its components.
  • Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards for data security and privacy.
  • Participate in the hiring process to build a high-performing team of engineers.

What We Are Looking For

  • Experience leading engineers who build and mature data platforms, from raw ingestion pipelines through governed assets that business teams rely on.
  • Fluency with the modern data stack: dbt, a cloud warehouse (BigQuery or equivalent), orchestration tooling, and sound data modeling patterns.
  • Cloud infrastructure fluency: IaC tooling (Terraform or equivalent), cost discipline, and the operational rigor a regulated financial environment demands.
  • Collaborative leadership style that favors context over command and control, measuring success by the growth of those around them.
  • Curiosity and a lifelong learning mindset, equally at home in data modeling discussions and technical leadership.
  • Experience with GCP (GKE, Cloud Storage, CloudSQL, BigQuery, Cloud Composer) and familiarity with Pulumi.
  • Strong understanding of data governance, data quality, and data security principles.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a remote team environment.

Nice to Have

  • Experience with AWS, Snowflake, or Terraform and the ability to apply those principles to Caribou's stack.
  • Knowledge of financial industry regulations and standards, such as SOX, GDPR, and CCPA.
  • Participation in open-source projects or personal projects that demonstrate expertise in data and platform engineering.
  • Certification in cloud computing, data engineering, or a related field.

Benefits and Perks

  • Competitive salary and benefits package.
  • Opportunity to work on challenging projects with a high impact on the company's success.
  • Collaborative and dynamic work environment with a team of experienced professionals.
  • Flexible remote work arrangements, with the option to work from Denver or Chandler offices.
  • Professional development opportunities, including training, mentorship, and conference attendance.
  • Access to the latest tools and technologies in cloud computing and data engineering.
  • Comprehensive health insurance, retirement plan, and paid time off.
  • Remote work stipend and support for home office setup.

How to Stand Out

  • Tip: Highlight your experience with dbt, GCP, and data modeling in your resume and cover letter, as these are key skills for the role.
  • Ensure you have a strong understanding of cloud infrastructure, IaC, and data governance principles.
  • Prepare examples of how you've led teams and mentored engineers in previous roles, demonstrating your leadership and coaching skills.
  • Be ready to discuss your approach to data platform architecture, including how you ensure data quality, security, and compliance.
  • Showcase any personal projects or certifications that demonstrate your expertise in data and platform engineering.
  • Research Caribou's products and services to understand how your role contributes to the company's mission and goals.
  • Practice explaining complex technical concepts in simple terms, as effective communication is crucial in this position.

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