- Strong technical foundation in SQL, Python, PySpark, data modeling, CI/CD, and Infrastructure-as- Code, sufficient to lead architecture decisions and earn the trust of a senior engineering team.
- Demonstrated ability to hire, develop, and retain top engineering talent and build a high performing team culture.
- Excellent leadership, communication, and influence skills, with a proven track record aligning engineers, executives, and cross-functional partners.
- Strong delivery discipline - planning, prioritization, and execution across concurrent initiatives and shifting priorities.
- Sound business judgment on budget, vendor, and build-vs-buy decisions.
- Databricks and/or AWS professional-level certifications preferred.
- The Director of Data Engineering has full leadership authority over the data engineering team, its roadmap, standards, and day-to-day delivery, and makes hiring, staffing, and performance decisions within approved headcount.
- The role owns technical and operational decisions for the data platform and manages the associated budget and vendor relationships. Decisions involving material new investment, enterprise-wide vendor commitments, changes to headcount plan, or significant shifts in regulatory risk posture are made in partnership with the SVP, Business Technology and Data and executive leadership.
- This is a people-leadership role responsible for the data engineering team (direct and matrixed), including internal engineers and external consulting partners.
- The Director owns the data engineering budget (cloud, tooling, and services) and is accountable for the enterprise data platform serving all CPI business units, underpinning a multi-year transformation with projected annualized ROI of $10-15M and forming the technical foundation for the company's AI strategy.
Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Data Engineering, Information Systems, or a related quantitative field; Master's degree preferred.
- 12+ years of progressive experience in data engineering, data platform, or data architecture roles.
- 4+ years of experience directly managing and building engineering teams, including hiring and performance management.
- 5+ years of hands-on experience with Databricks (Lakehouse architecture, Delta Lake, Unity Catalog) and AWS at enterprise scale.
- Demonstrated ownership of platform delivery and operations in a regulated environment (SOX,PCI-DSS, or similar).
- Proven experience owning a budget and managing vendor/consulting partner relationships.
Physical Demands:
- This position primarily operates in a professional office environment and requires the ability to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Prolonged periods of sitting and working at a computer, including extensive use of a keyboard, mouse, and telephone. Frequent viewing of computer monitors and electronic devices requiring close visual attention.
- Regular verbal communication and active listening during in-person, virtual, and telephone meetings. Ability to occasionally stand, walk, bend, reach, and move throughout office and meeting spaces.
- Ability to occasionally lift, carry, push, or pull materials weighing up to 15 pounds, such as laptops, presentation materials, luggage, or office supplies. Ability to travel periodically by automobile and commercial airline, which may include navigating airports, train
stations, hotels, and customer or company locations. - Ability to transport and manage personal luggage, computer equipment, and work-related materials during business travel. Ability to work in a variety of environments, including offices, conference facilities, hotels, airports, and manufacturing or operational locations, as applicable.
- May require occasional early morning, evening, or overnight travel based on business needs.
- CPI Card Group is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of the position.
Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time
Company Overview:
CPI Card Group® is a payment technology company and leading provider of credit, debit and prepaid solutions delivered physically, digitally and on-demand. CPI helps our customers foster connections and build their brands through innovative and reliable solutions, including financial payment cards, personalization and fulfillment, and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) instant issuance. Learn more at www.cpicardgroup.com.
Benefits:
Competitive pay rates and an inclusive, empowering and rewarding culture.
Solid benefits package including Medical, Dental, Vision, Long Term Disability, Short Term Disability, Life Insurance, Accident Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, FSA, HSA, Vacation and Holiday Pay, Tuition Reimbursement and 401(k) with a competitive company match percentage.
CPI is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets. A complete background including drug screen is contingent upon hire.
