Senior Solution Architect - Data Analytics (Human Services Unit)

Position Description

Mathematica applies expertise at the intersection of data, methods, policy, and practice to improve well-being around the world. We collaborate closely with public- and private-sector partners to translate big questions into deep insights that improve programs, refine strategies, and enhance understanding using data science and analytics. Our work yields actionable information to guide decisions in wide-ranging policy areas, from health, education, early childhood, and family support to nutrition, employment, disability, and international development. Mathematica offers our employees competitive salaries, and a comprehensive benefits package, as well as the advantages of being 100 percent employee owned. As an employee stock owner, you will experience financial benefits of ESOP holdings that have increased in tandem with the company s growth and financial strength. You will also be part of an independent, employee-owned firm that is able to define and further our mission, enhance our quality and accountability, and steadily grow our financial strength. Read more about our benefits here: https://www.mathematica.org/career-opportunities/benefits-at-a-glance

One of Mathematica s core values is a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our research is more robust because it is informed by a variety of diverse perspectives, and our mission to improve societal well-being is strengthened by a greater understanding of issues and challenges facing the populations we serve. Mathematica s ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion is woven into our everyday actions, policies, and practices. We are dedicated to maintaining a work environment in which everyone is treated with respect and dignity.

Currently we are looking for an experienced solution architecture and data engineering professional with technical and business development experience and interest in one or more of the following areas: family support, education, child welfare, nutrition, employment, or criminal justice who can grow our portfolio of data analytics work. The successful candidate will be a senior member of the Data Analytics function within the Human Services business unit and lead engagements with federal, state and local, foundation, and commercial clients.

The following projects illustrate some of our recent analytics work:

• For the Office of Population Affairs we are using Amazon Web Services (AWS) native tools to design a data collection and reporting system to ingest patient encounters from Family Planning providers and provide data quality checks, summary statistics, and business intelligence reports
• For the Office of Planning, Research, and Evaluation we are operating a cloud data warehouse, enabling analytic reporting and predictive modeling that leverages administrative and survey data sources in support of program evaluation and data-driven decision-making
• For the Employee Benefits Security Administration we are monitoring AWS analytics, automating systems testing, and analyzing structured and unstructured data submitted through web forms and PDFs
• For the Department of Agriculture we are using simulations to estimate how changes in program polices will impact benefit costs, eligibility, and participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

You will work in a multidisciplinary setting that includes staff with degrees in computer science, data science, statistics, economics, mathematics, business, public policy, and related fields. We take pride in our employees and in their commitment to excellence. We encourage staff to collaborate in developing creative solutions to difficult problems. This collegial spirit has helped us earn our reputation for innovative and high-quality work. As a winner of the "Excellence in Diversity Award," we know that building an inclusive culture based on the diverse strengths of employees from different backgrounds is key to our success.

Responsibilities

• Engage with clients to understand the challenges they face related to data systems, analytics, and technology, and work collaboratively with them to develop innovative solutions
• Design, implement, and maintain databases and data pipelines that are optimized to meet project requirements
• Lead data analytics projects or tasks that support client needs
• Serve as a liaison between non-technical and information technology staff to align research goals and infrastructure requirements
• Provide technical guidance and innovative thought leadership around Mathematica s solutions strategy and approach, including staying up-to-date with available technology and tools that are applicable to Mathematica s offerings
• Provide expert quality assurance across data analytics tasks
• Identify business development opportunities with the potential for growing Mathematica s portfolio of data analytics and data science work
• Direct and contribute to business development efforts
• Support growth of data analytics staff through training and mentoring

Position Requirements

• Professional knowledge of and skill in designing, implementing, maintaining and optimizing databases to support data reporting and data analytic tasks
• Expertise in open-source programming languages like Python and R
• Amazon Web Services (AWS) experience including Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL
• Experience developing and optimizing extract, transform, load (ETL) pipelines
• Experience with SQL query development and optimization
• Experience creating Infrastructure as Code (IaC) and CloudFormation Templates
• Ability to work collaboratively in cross-disciplinary teams
• 7 or more years of relevant professional experience in data science and analytics
• Advanced degree (Masters or Ph.D.) or equivalent work experience in computer science, statistics, data science, economics, public policy or a related field
• A track-record of successfully building a portfolio of data science and analytics work
• A demonstrated history of working collaboratively with clients to achieve project goals
• Experience leading major engagements that focus on leveraging analytics to address issues of concern to clients
• Excellent written and oral communication skills

Nice-to-have Skills

The following qualifications are preferred, but not required

• Experience with AWS DynamoDB, DocumentDB, and/or Redshift
• Experience with ETL tools such as AWS Kinesis Data Firehose,
• Experience with AWS security services (IAM, Security Groups)
• Experience with serverless compute services (AWS Lambda) and/or containerized development (Docker)

This position offers an anticipated annual base salary range of $127,500 - $165,000. This position is eligible for a discretionary bonus based on company and individual performance. To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume, location preference, and salary expectations.

Various federal agencies with whom we contract require that staff successfully undergo a background investigation or security clearance as a condition of working on the project. If you are assigned to such a project, you will be required to obtain the requisite security clearance. Must be able to pass a public trust background investigation.

Mathematica has implemented a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine policy for all employees working in any of our office locations. Unless a position is office-based, employees are currently being provided the flexibility to work remotely. Those choosing to work in an office or who prefer a hybrid work arrangement will be required to certify that they have received a COVID vaccine.

Available Locations: Remote; Princeton, NJ; Cambridge, MA; Washington, DC; Ann Arbor, MI; Chicago, IL; Oakland, CA; Seattle, WA

To select Remote as your location, please choose "no preference."

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.