Data Engineering Manager [Canada]

Dandy is transforming the massive ($200B) but antiquated dental industry. Backed by some of the world's leading venture capital investors, we are on an ambitious mission to integrate and simplify every function of the dental practice through technology. By building the operating system for every dental office in America, Dandy is empowering dentists with technology, innovation, and world-class support to achieve more for their practice, their people, and their patients.

Lead Dandy’s Centralized Data Engineering Team and Drive Innovation Across the Organization

At Dandy, we’re on a mission to revolutionize the dental industry, and we need a Data Engineering Manager to help build and lead our centralized data engineering function from the ground up. This is a unique and strategic leadership role where you will be responsible for shaping the foundation of Dandy's data infrastructure and creating the processes that will enable a high-performing, scalable, and collaborative data organization.

As the first leader of our centralized data engineering team, you will be at the forefront of building the systems, tools, and workflows that power the data-driven success of Dandy. You will work closely with data science, data analytics, and other cross-functional teams to ensure that data engineering provides the reliable, scalable infrastructure that enables all teams to accelerate decision-making and business impact.

If you're passionate about creating data systems that scale, optimizing workflows across teams, and building a best-in-class data engineering function from the ground up, we want to hear from you.

What You’ll Do

• Build & Shape the Centralized Data Engineering Team: You will be the first leader of our centralized data engineering team, tasked with defining its structure, setting the team’s vision, and establishing the foundations of a high-performing data function. You’ll define roles, responsibilities, and career paths for data engineers and set the tone for the team’s growth and culture.

• Create Scalable Data Engineering Processes: You’ll define and build the processes, methodologies, and tools that will shape the way we build, deploy, and maintain data pipelines across the organization. From setting standards for pipeline development and testing to implementing monitoring and data quality checks, you will create a framework that ensures high-quality, reliable data.

• Drive Cross-Team Collaboration: Work closely with data science, data analytics, and business teams to understand their needs and deliver high-quality, actionable data. You’ll ensure that data engineering is the underlying layer that accelerates decision-making and business value for all teams. You will also serve as a bridge between technical teams and non-technical stakeholders, ensuring alignment and driving clarity on data initiatives.

• Develop & Optimize the Data Platform: Lead the design and scaling of Dandy’s data platform, ensuring it supports cross-functional needs. You'll build a platform that integrates seamlessly with various data sources, tools, and systems, empowering teams to access, analyze, and utilize data faster and more effectively.

• Increase Data Velocity & Throughput: Work to increase the velocity and throughput of data pipelines by optimizing processes and removing bottlenecks. By building robust, scalable infrastructure, you will enable teams to access and utilize data more quickly, helping to drive business decisions faster and with greater accuracy.

• Implement Best Practices for Data Engineering: Establish and enforce best practices for data pipeline development, code quality, data documentation, testing, monitoring, and deployment. You'll ensure that all data systems are built with rigor and are scalable and maintainable in the long term.

• Foster a Data-Driven Culture: Advocate for the use of data throughout the organization. You’ll help cultivate a culture where data is not just accessible, but trusted and actionable. Ensure that all teams have the data they need to drive insights, decision-making, and innovation.

What We’re Looking For

• Leadership Experience: 3+ years of management experience in data engineering, with a proven track record of building and leading teams in a fast-paced, growth environment. You have experience shaping new functions and driving change within an organization.

• Proven Technical Expertise: You have 6+ years of experience in data engineering, with hands-on expertise in designing and implementing data pipelines, ETL processes, and data platforms. You are skilled in Python, Airflow/Dagster, DBT, and cloud platforms like AWS or GCP.

• Experience Building Centralized Teams: You’ve either built or scaled a centralized data engineering function, and you understand how to create the right team structure, processes, and culture to support growing business needs.

• Strategic Thinking & Execution: You know how to define a long-term strategy for data infrastructure while also implementing the day-to-day tactical changes needed to make that strategy a reality. You are comfortable balancing strategic vision with hands-on execution.

• Collaborative Leadership: You are a strong communicator and leader, capable of working with cross-functional teams, including data science, analytics, product, and business stakeholders, to ensure alignment and drive impactful data initiatives. You know how to break down complex technical issues into simple, actionable insights for non-technical teams.

• Process-Oriented & Detail-Oriented: You’re experienced at designing and implementing processes that drive rigor, consistency, and efficiency across data workflows. You thrive in environments where systems are optimized for high performance and scalability.

• Timezone Flexibility: You are based in a time zone within 3 hours of New York to ensure smooth collaboration with teams across the organization.

Bonus Points For

• Experience Scaling Teams & Functions: You have experience hiring, onboarding, and developing data engineering talent in a growing organization. You know how to scale a function and build out the processes that support that growth.

• Customer-Focused Approach: You understand how to deliver data solutions that serve both internal and external stakeholders, ensuring that the data infrastructure is aligned with customer and business needs.

• Startup Experience: Experience working in early-stage or high-growth companies, where you had to be both strategic and hands-on in building the data infrastructure and enabling cross-team collaboration.

Job ID: J-392

For full time positions, we offer a wide range of best in class, comprehensive and inclusive employee benefits including healthcare, dental, parental planning, mental health benefits, a 401(k) plan, and paid time off.

Dandy is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive culture that celebrates authenticity to win as one. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, protected veteran status, citizenship or immigration status, or any other legally protected characteristics.

Dandy also fully complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). We are dedicated to embracing challenges and creating an accessible, inclusive workplace for all individuals. If you require any accommodations for your interview or have any questions beforehand, rest assured that we will move at Dandy speed and do everything in our power to meet your needs.