Staff Data Engineer

Details

Customer.io is looking for a Staff Data Engineer to take ownership of the data models and infrastructure that power analytics across the company. This is the company's first dedicated data engineering hire — a high-impact opportunity to shape the semantic layer, streamline the modern data stack, and unlock self-service analytics for the entire business. You will be the go-to person for building a high-trust, governed data foundation that enables stakeholders (from executives to product teams) to make smarter, faster decisions.

Responsibilities

• Own and evolve the semantic layer: design, document, and optimize dbt models that drive business KPIs and enable self-service analytics.
• Administer and improve the data stack (Snowflake, dbt, Sigma, Stitch, Fivetran) — ensuring reliability, scalability, and best practices.
• Partner with analytics and product teams to deliver trusted, AI-ready data that supports both internal decision-making and new product features.
• Lead improvements in efficiency and governance: streamline dbt runtimes, refactor inefficient SQL, reduce Snowflake costs, and implement RBAC and documentation standards.
• Evaluate and shape the future of orchestration and data infrastructure, including opportunities for front-end data apps (e.g., Streamlit).

Requirements

• 5–8 years of hands-on experience as a Data or Analytics Engineer in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
• Must-have: advanced SQL, dbt, and Python — comfortable writing complex queries, building robust models, and automating workflows.
• Experience with Snowflake administration and optimization.
• Familiarity with ETL tools (like Stitch and Fivetran), and modeling and orchestration frameworks (like dbt Cloud and Airflow).
• Experience with GCP is nice to have; Terraform experience is a plus.
• A track record of building and improving data systems — not just operating them.
• Excited by the opportunity to join early, take ownership, and have a direct impact on company growth.
• Americas-based, remote-friendly.

What success looks like

Within your first 3–6 months you will:

• Deliver clean, documented dbt models that define core business metrics.
• Ensure reliable pipelines from key systems into Snowflake.
• Improve query performance and reduce data costs.
• Establish basic governance and documentation standards.
• Enable analysts to build trusted dashboards on top of consistent data.
• Lay the groundwork for AI/ML by structuring data for future use cases.

About the Data Team

The team is building the data foundation to power the next phase of growth. A modern stack is already in place (Snowflake, dbt, Sigma, Fivetran/Stitch). The next priorities are a governed, documented, and trusted semantic layer, a world-class self-service analytics experience, and a data platform that scales with an AI-first future.

Compensation & Benefits

• Starting salary for this role is $170,000 (or equivalent in local currency) depending on experience and subject to market rate adjustment.
• Inclusive benefits package: 100% coverage of medical, dental, vision, mental health, and supplemental insurance premiums for you and your family.
• 16 weeks paid parental leave, unlimited PTO, stipends for remote work and wellness, a professional development budget, and more.

Interview Process

• 30-minute call with Recruiter
• 45-minute call with Hiring Manager
• 30-minute calls with 2 potential team members
• Take-Home Assignment + 45-minute review call

All final candidates will complete a background check and employment verifications as part of pre-employment.

Disclaimer

The job description is not exhaustive. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.

Join us

Customer.io is committed to inclusion and equity in hiring and building an inclusive team culture. If you’re excited by this role and the values described, apply to join the team.