Data Engineering Manager

As a Data Engineering Manager at Cylinder, your primary responsibilities include defining and executing a strategic vision for data engineering that aligns with the company's goals. You'll work closely with cross-functional teams to manage projects, oversee the development of scalable data pipelines, ensure compliance with data governance standards, and foster a culture of continuous learning and innovation within your team. Additionally, you will play a key role in mentoring team members and driving best practices in data engineering.

To qualify for the Data Engineering Manager role at Cylinder, candidates should possess over 5 years of experience in data or software engineering, with at least 2 years in a leadership role. Strong hands-on expertise in modern data tools such as DBT, Airflow, and Google Cloud Platform is essential. Leadership skills, exceptional communication abilities, and experience in a HIPAA-regulated environment are also key requirements for this position, along with proven experience in building Data Warehouse solutions.

The Data Engineering Manager role at Cylinder is unique due to its impactful problem domain within the healthcare industry. You will have the opportunity to integrate and analyze diverse datasets to generate insights that improve healthcare outcomes. Additionally, as an early-stage employee, you will have a significant influence on shaping the data ecosystem and strategic direction of the company. Working closely with various teams in a mission-driven culture also adds to the excitement of this role.

At Cylinder, the professional growth of our Data Engineering team is a top priority. As a Data Engineering Manager, you’ll foster a culture of innovation and collaboration, providing mentorship and clear career growth paths for your team members. Cylinder encourages continuous learning through training opportunities, hands-on project experiences, and by creating an environment where employees can explore new technologies and approaches to data engineering.

The team culture at Cylinder for the Data Engineering Manager role is collaborative, innovative, and mission-driven. You will work hand-in-hand with cross-functional teams, encouraging open communication and teamwork to meet common goals. Our team values creativity and embraces the challenges that come with a startup environment, making it an exciting place to grow both personally and professionally while contributing to meaningful improvements in healthcare.

When answering this question, focus on specific examples of how you have successfully led teams in the past. Mention your leadership style, any mentorship initiatives you've implemented, and how you have aligned your team's goals with the overall business objectives. Highlight measurable outcomes that resulted from your leadership, such as improved project delivery times or increased team satisfaction.

Be prepared to discuss your expertise in individual tools and frameworks such as DBT, Airflow, and Google Cloud Platform. Share specific examples of projects where you utilized these tools, emphasizing how you solved problems or improved processes through your technical skills. Highlight your proficiency in creating scalable and reliable data systems.

It's crucial to demonstrate your understanding of data governance and compliance, particularly in a regulated industry like healthcare. Discuss methods you've implemented to maintain data quality, such as validation checks, automated testing, and compliance protocols. Give examples of how you've tackled potential data risks and ensured adherence to regulations like HIPAA.

Discuss your approach to project management and how you work with stakeholders to establish priorities. Highlight your ability to analyze business needs, weigh project impacts, and allocate resources effectively. You might also want to mention any tools or methodologies, such as Agile or Scrum, that you use to streamline project execution.

Outline your commitment to mentorship and how you approach developing junior engineers. Share specific strategies such as one-on-one coaching, peer reviews, and creating opportunities for hands-on learning through real projects. Discuss how you cultivate an environment of continuous feedback and prioritize professional growth for team members.

Use this question to showcase your problem-solving skills. Describe the project, the challenges you faced, and the strategies you implemented to overcome obstacles. Focus on results - how the project impacted the business, what you learned from the experience, and how you would approach similar challenges in the future.

Express your insights on emerging trends in data engineering, especially in healthcare. Discuss innovations like real-time data analytics, machine learning applications, and the importance of data interoperability. This is an opportunity to convey your vision and how you see your role contributing to the evolution of healthcare through data.

Explain your conflict resolution approach. Discuss the importance of open communication, transparency, and fostering a supportive environment. Highlight specific scenarios where you successfully navigated disagreements and turned them into productive discussions.

Mention various initiatives you could implement, such as hackathons, brainstorming sessions, or encouraging team members to propose experimental projects. Emphasize the importance of creating an environment where creative ideas are welcomed and explored, leading to innovative solutions in data engineering.

Your answer should reflect a genuine interest in Cylinder's mission to improve healthcare through innovative data solutions. Talk about how the company's values align with yours and your excitement about the opportunity to influence an early-stage company in an impactful way. Mention that you admire their tech-forward, human-first approach to healthcare.