About this Lead Data Systems Engineer role at The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research
Job Title: Lead Data Systems Engineer
Position Summary:
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (“the Foundation”) is seeking top talent for its Lead Data Systems Engineer Role. This position at The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (“the Foundation”) is responsible for architecting, building, administering, and maintaining the organization’s data platforms, cloud infrastructure, and business-critical applications, with primary ownership of AWS-based databases, automated data pipelines, and integrations involving Salesforce, SmartSimple, and other enterprise systems. Responsibilities include designing and building secure, reliable, and cost-conscious solutions; building and troubleshooting Python, SQL, and API-based workflows; monitoring and validating production processes; supporting legacy platforms; and enabling staff through governed data access and clear documentation. This role partners directly with stakeholders across the organization, manages technical delivery with vendors, and operates at a strategic level, setting priorities and evaluating architectural trade-offs while leading technical delivery.
Key Responsibilities:
- Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders to gather technical requirements, translate business needs into implementation plans, and manage delivery
- Independently prioritize and lead complex work from planning through implementation. Provide technical guidance, mentorship, and knowledge sharing to help other team members strengthen their skills and successfully deliver their work
- Architect, administer, and optimize AWS-based data and application infrastructure, including databases, storage, compute, networking, monitoring, and access controls
- Build and operate automated data pipelines, database backup and restore processes, and production workflows with strong validation, logging, alerting, rollback, and recovery practices
- Lead complex data migrations, integrations, and production cutovers. Develop and troubleshoot Python, SQL, REST API, SFTP, and bulk data solutions connecting Salesforce, SmartSimple, and other enterprise platforms
- Administer and support business-critical applications and legacy systems. Implement least-privilege access, PII protections, retention policies, and cost-conscious architecture
- Enable analysts and staff through governed database access, troubleshooting, and clear documentation
- Partner with vendors and consultants on architecture, implementation, validation, and handoff
- Provide technical direction and oversight while advancing infrastructure such as code, automation, and reliable version-controlled deployment practices
Qualifications and Skills:
- Proven experience in data engineering, cloud engineering, systems integration, or related technical roles, including supporting production systems in enterprise environments
- Proven experience with AWS services, including RDS, EC2, S3, Lambda, Glue, IAM, CloudWatch, and VPC networking
- Advanced proficiency in Python and SQL for data pipelines, automation, database development, and troubleshooting
- Experience designing, integrating, and operating production data workflows, including APIs, file-based ingestion, high-volume data loads, monitoring, validation, alerting, and recovery
- Strong knowledge of Salesforce data models, APIs, integration patterns, sandboxes, and bulk-data tools
- Strong understanding of cloud and database security, including access controls, credential management, network security, PII protection, and data retention
- Experience with infrastructure as code, version control, and automated deployment practices; Terraform, CloudFormation, and GitHub preferred
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to translate business needs into technical solutions and collaborate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders
- Ability to work independently, make sound technical and architectural decisions, and provide technical guidance to engineers and vendors
- Experience with platforms such as SmartSimple, Redshift, Athena, AppFlow, Domo, or comparable data and business systems is preferred; nonprofit experience is a plus.
Compensation & Benefits
Individual compensation for this role is dependent on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, qualifications, skillsets, and applicable laws. In addition to salary, the Foundation offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- 15+ options for medical insurance (with the Foundation paying 90 percent of the premiums)
- Competitive dental and vision plans
- 401(k) plan with 6 percent employer contribution
- Flexible spending accounts
- Employer paid life and disability insurance
- 18 Vacation Days; 12 Well-Being (Sick) Days; 2 Personal Days; summer Fridays (office closure at 2pm) and a summer holiday week over July 4
- Flexible work environment. We trust all employees to work closely with their manager and colleagues to determine when, where and how programs and projects get done.
Employees are also eligible for a discretionary bonus on an annual basis. The Foundation provides staff and leadership cultivation through regular training courses and events.
How to Apply:
Interested candidates should submit a resume and thoughtful cover letter describing through examples, their specific qualifications and interest in the position. If you think that your skills are transferable and can add value to this role, please apply. Applicants who best match the position’s needs will be contacted.
About Us:
The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research was founded in 2000 with one clear objective: accelerating meaningful therapeutic advances and, ultimately, a cure for Parkinson’s disease (PD). The Foundation applies extraordinary scientific, business and media assets to this singular focus—thus creating a unique and dynamic organization. Since inception, MJFF has quickly grown into the largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson’s disease research, having funded over $2 billion in research projects in both academic and industry labs worldwide.
Visit www.michaeljfox.org for more information.
Research has shown that people from marginalized communities apply to roles only when they meet 100% of the job requirements. If you think that your skills are transferable and can add value to this role, and you are someone who will contribute to our efforts to build and support a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce, we strongly encourage you to apply.
