About OpenEd
At OpenEd, we’re opening the world to every learner. With over 100,000 students served and growing rapidly, families trust us as a partner to the most precious thing in their lives, their children. Our vision: a future where education is no longer constrained by geography, rigid models, or outdated systems. Our mission: to give every student customized, world-class education and resources, empowering families and opening millions of doors for learners across the country.
Our Culture (The Foundation of Everything We Do)
Culture at OpenEd is intentional. It’s defined by what we promote—and what we tolerate. Our latest eNPS (employee net promoter score) of 77 places OpenEd in the top 1% of technology companies. Our values aren't just words; they are non-negotiable principles that guide every decision:
- Customer First – Obsessed with delivering value; we fight tirelessly for our learners and families.
- Hard Choices, Easy Life – Face challenges directly, swiftly, and transparently.
- I Did > We Should – Action over theory; bring experiments, not just opinions.
- Learn Out Loud – Share your growth openly; feedback is a gift, ego is the enemy.
- Prioritize Ruthlessly – Excellence in the few critical areas over mediocrity everywhere.
- Fast AND World Class – Speed doesn’t compromise quality.
- Strong Opinions, Weakly Held – Advocate passionately, adjust readily.
- Make Others Famous – Elevate your colleagues, partners, and community.
We’re currently accepting applications from those living in: AZ, CO, FL, GA, ID, IN, MD, NC, NM, OH, OK, OR, RI, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI.
About the Role
We're seeking a Principal Data Engineer to build the next phase of our data infrastructure that powers OpenEd's growth. This is a greenfield opportunity to architect and implement our data warehouse solution from the ground up, creating the backbone that supports operational excellence and data-driven decision making across our rapidly scaling platform.
As our Principal Data Engineer, you'll be the technical owner of our data architecture, building 99% of the solution while partnering closely with Operations to ensure seamless handoff and adoption. You'll solve critical challenges like designing our fundamental data architecture, building out a complete business intelligence framework, establishing clear data request workflows, and creating the infrastructure that transforms how we serve our students and their families.
Your Immediate Impact
Within your first 90 days, you'll design and iterate on our data architecture and warehouse solution(s), partnering with the Operation division to establish streamlined data request processes and ensure data accuracy. You'll architect the technical iterations that eliminates current data sync challenges while building scalable systems for our growing student base accurately.
By month 6, you'll have deployed core infrastructure components, established clear Tier 1 and Tier 2 support processes with Operations, and created documentation and processes that enable rapid, accurate responses to data requests, processes, and workflows across the organization.
Success Metrics:
- Successfully architect and implement data warehouse and BI solutions that delivers transparency and insight across the business, laying the foundation for 2-3x growth
- Establish clear data request intake, triage, and fulfillment processes with clear response times for standard requests
- Achieve 99.9% uptime for critical data pipelines supporting student operations and family communications
- Build scalable, maintainable systems that can accommodate rapid business growth iteratively without frequent architectural overhauls
Who You Are:
- You're comfortable across the entire data stack from warehouse architecture to ETL pipelines to API integrations.
- You're an engineer first. You write production code vs. just specifications.
- Proficiency in SQL alongside experience in modern data warehouse solutions like Snowflake
- You challenge assumptions, including your own. You don’t just run a playbook blindly, but adapt your solutions to the needs of the business.
- Experience with CRM systems (ideally including HubSpot), data syncing tools, and building reliable connections between disparate systems
- Comfortable with ambiguity, able to make architectural decisions with incomplete information, and skilled at balancing speed with long-term scalability
- Experience partnering with Operations teams to translate business requirements into technical solutions
This Role Will Excite You IF:
- You thrive on building data infrastructure from scratch rather than maintaining existing systems
- You enjoy the challenge of creating order from chaos; establishing processes where none currently exist
- You're energized by directly impacting student outcomes through reliable, accessible data systems
- You want ownership over technical architecture decisions and the autonomy to implement the vision
- You're passionate about Open Education and believe data infrastructure can transform educational experiences
Team & Autonomy:
This role offers significant technical autonomy with the responsibility to make architecture decisions, identify vendors, and engage contractor teams as needed. You'll work closely with Operations and Product leadership to understand requirements and ensure smooth handoffs, while having the freedom to design and implement solutions that best serve OpenEd's unique needs.
You'll be the technical owner of our data infrastructure with the authority to prioritize initiatives, allocate resources, and establish engineering standards that will scale with our growth.
Reporting Line:
This role reports directly to Dave Wasmer, CTO.
Company Benefits:
- Competitive salary of $170-$230k and 401k plan + company matching opportunities.
- Comprehensive Health Benefits: Health insurance package including medical, dental, vision, life, critical illness, accident, STD/LTD, HSA, and FSA with dependent care.
- Flexible Work Arrangement: We’re a fully remote workforce that emphasizes a healthy work-life balance by allowing some autonomy in work hours.
- Generous Paid Time Off policy, enabling you to recharge, spend quality time with loved ones, and pursue personal interests outside of work.
- Supportive Team Environment: Join a supportive and collaborative team environment where your contributions are valued, and teamwork is encouraged, fostering a culture of success and mutual respect.
EEO Statement
OpenEd is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
OpenEd participates in E-Verify.
