Data Systems Engineer - FT

The Data Systems Engineer (DSE) reports to the Senior Manager of Software Engineering and designs, builds, and maintains the data layer of Public Strategies’ custom Ruby on Rails applications. The DSE owns relational schema design and data modeling in PostgreSQL, builds and evolves ActiveRecord models and migrations, and safeguards data integrity across all business units. Working closely with stakeholders and technical leads, the DSE translates business processes into sound, performant data structures, drawing on deep knowledge of PS direct services and the systems that support them. This role balances hands on Rails development with the reporting and analysis that inform business decisions., * Design, build, and evolve PostgreSQL schemas that accurately model business processes and preserve data integrity

• Choose and implement storage strategies across business domains, using sound judgment on schema trade offs - such as when to create a dedicated table versus model a shared concept in one table used by multiple domains
• Implement and maintain ActiveRecord models, associations, and migrations, following Rails MVC conventions
• Write efficient SQL and optimize queries, indexes, and database performance
• Build reports and data tools that connect business processes to the underlying data
• Partner with technical leads and stakeholders to ensure data structures fit business and reporting needs
• Safeguard data integrity and guide end users on data quality
• Provide troubleshooting and support to end users
• Uphold code quality through code reviews, testing, and clean code practices
• Other duties as assigned

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Business Management, Management Information Systems, or a related field
• Will consider 4+ years work experience in lieu of degree, * Four years of relevant experience in software engineering, data management, or information technology
• Experience developing with Ruby on Rails (or a comparable MVC framework) and ActiveRecord (or a comparable ORM)
• Strong PostgreSQL and relational schema design experience, including writing and optimizing SQL
• Experience with data modeling, reporting, and analysis, * Excellent relational data modeling and schema design, with sound judgment on normalization and cross domain trade offs
• Strong command of Ruby on Rails - MVC, ActiveRecord, and migrations - with a commitment to clean code and testing
• Proficiency in SQL and PostgreSQL performance tuning
• Strong data analytics literacy - recognizes and guards against statistical pitfalls such as sampling error, survivorship bias, misleading chart scaling, and improper aggregation (e.g., averaging averages)
• Strong problem solving and communication skills

Special Requirements

• Limited Domestic Travel
• Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, as needed
• Personable, a critical thinker, self motivated, hard working, detail oriented and flexible, Sufficient mobility and strength to move about the facility. Ability to be mobile throughout the community.

Public Strategies is a dynamic professional services firm with more than 35 years of experience delivering innovative communications, consulting, technology, events, and project management solutions. Our collaborative team of problem solvers, creatives, technologists, trainers, communicators, and change agents is committed to doing good well.

Serving private sector, government, and nonprofit clients nationwide, Public Strategies delivers award winning products and experiences. Public Strategies has also pioneered nationally respected human services programs supporting low income and other vulnerable populations. Through our integrated initiatives (including One Set Studio, our cutting edge virtual production space, and NextThought, our eLearning initiative) we elevate storytelling, training, videos, and immersive experiences for leading national brands.