IDEA Public Schools Careers

Analytics Engineer

Mission:

The Analytics Engineer transforms raw data into trusted, business-ready datasets that drive decision-making and student outcomes across IDEA’s multi-state network. This role uses dbt and Snowflake to build clean, well-tested Silver and Gold data models that power dashboards, reporting, and analytics used by educators and leaders.

Reporting to the Manager of Analytics Engineering, this role combines strong technical execution (SQL, dbt, data modeling, testing) with business partnership—translating real stakeholder needs into reliable, well-documented data products.
 

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Individual contributor role with no direct reports. 

Location:

This is a full-time position based in Texas, with preference given to candidates who live in Austin, El Paso, Houston, Permian Basin (Midland/Odessa), Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio, and Tarrant County (Fort Worth), or who are willing to relocate.

Travel Expectations:    

Minimal travel (5–10% annually) for collaboration, stakeholder engagement, or campus context. 

What You’ll Do – Accountabilities

Essential Duties:

• Build and maintain dbt models transforming Bronze (raw) data into Silver (cleaned, validated) and Gold (business-ready) datasets.
• Write complex SQL transformations implementing business logic, aggregations, and education metrics. 
• Implement performant transformation patterns including incremental models, snapshots, and SCDs. 
• Apply dbt best practices for modularity, naming conventions, reuse, and performance optimization. 
• Create reusable macros and patterns that accelerate future development. 
• Partner with Data Platform Engineering to understand source structures and provide feedback on ingestion quality. 
• Design and implement comprehensive dbt tests validating schema integrity, business logic, and data quality. 

Additional Duties and Responsibilities:

• Build data tests to detect anomalies, broken relationships, and unexpected changes.
• Partner with DataOps on automated testing execution and CI/CD integration.
• Monitor test results, investigate failures, and perform root-cause analysis.
• Proactively surface and address data quality risks before stakeholder impact.
• Gather and clarify requirements from academic, operations, finance, and state stakeholders
• Translate business questions into clear data model designs and technical specifications.
• Validate outputs with stakeholders to ensure accuracy, usability, and trust.
• Communicate how data is calculated, what it represents, and where limitations exist.
• Partner with Business Intelligence to ensure models support dashboards and reporting needs.
• Maintain clear documentation for dbt models, including business logic, sources, and usage guidance.
• Contribute to data dictionaries, lineage documentation, and the data catalog.
• Capture institutional knowledge to reduce dependency on individuals and support onboarding.
• Continuously improve SQL, dbt, and data modeling skills through practice and feedback.
• Build domain knowledge in K-12 education metrics and operational rhythms.
• Participate actively in code reviews, retrospectives, and team knowledge sharing.
• Identify technical debt and propose pragmatic improvements.
   

Knowledge and Skills – Competencies

• Make Strategic Decisions: This team member uses data, feedback, and insights to inform thoughtful decision-making, while considering the impact on their direct reports and team. They communicate decisions with clear rationale and begin to connect their choices to broader team objectives.

• Manage Work and Teams: This team member sets clear, measurable goals and regularly reflects on progress, adjusting actions as needed. They prioritize work aligned with their goals using a task management system and consistently meet deadlines through effective time management. 

• Grow Self and Others: This team member regularly offers affirming and adjusting feedback, maintaining a positive balance that reinforces growth and motivation. They provide transparent, candid performance insights and offer consistent coaching and development aligned with individual goals, supporting both direct reports and cross-functional partners. 

• Build a Culture of Trust:  This team member proactively builds strong personal and professional relationships with individual stakeholders and regularly seeks feedback to improve their work experience. They create a supportive environment where others feel safe to take risks and learn from mistakes without fear of retribution. 

• Communicate Deliberately: This team member leads inclusive discussions that surface obstacles and drive actionable solutions, ensuring all voices are heard. They communicate key information clearly across multiple channels and establish feedback loops that promote open dialogue, collaboration, and continuous improvement. 

Additional Skills:

Required

• Strong SQL skills for analytical transformations and performance-aware querying.
• Hands-on experience with dbt (models, tests, macros, documentation).
• Solid understanding of analytical data modeling (facts, dimensions, temporal data).
• Experience working in Snowflake or similar cloud data warehouses
• Experience implementing and troubleshooting data quality checks.
   

Preferred

• Experience with dbt Cloud, CI/CD concepts, or automated testing workflows.
• Familiarity with education data domains (enrollment, attendance, assessments).
• Exposure to BI tools and how data models support dashboards.
• Basic Python or scripting experience.
• Experience working across multiple regions or business units.
   

Required experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in a quantitative or technical field, or equivalent practical experience
• 3+ years of experience in analytics engineering, data analytics, BI, or data engineering roles.
• Demonstrated experience building analytical data models and writing complex SQL.
• Experience translating business requirements into technical data solutions.
   

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Prior role explicitly focused on analytics engineering or data transformation.
• dbt Analytics Engineering certification or progress toward certification.
• Experience working in education, public sector, or regulated data environments.
   

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods working on a computer
• Ability to participate in virtual meetings and stakeholder discussions
• Flexibility for occasional evening meetings with stakeholders across time zones

What We Offer:

Compensation & Benefits:

Salaries for people entering this role typically fall between $89,600 and $105,300, commensurate with relevant experience and qualifications and in alignment with internal equity. This role is also eligible for performance pay based on organizational performance and goal attainment.

Additionally, we offer medical, dental, and vision plans, disability, life insurance, parenting benefits, flexible spending account options, generous vacation time, referral bonuses, professional development, and a 403(b) plan. You can find more information about our benefits at https://ideapublicschools.org/careers/benefits/.

* IDEA may offer a relocation stipend to defray the cost of moving for this role, if applicable.

Application process:

Submit your application online through Jobvite. Please note that applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Learn more about IDEA 

At IDEA the Staff Experience Team uses our Core Values to promote human connection and a culture of integrity, respect, and belonging for all Team and Family members.  Learn more about our Commitment to Core Values here: https://ideapublicschools.org/our-story/#core-values