Director, Data Engineering

The Director of Data Engineering at PayZen is responsible for leading and growing the data team, developing a data strategy, overseeing data architecture and governance, and ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations. Additionally, this role involves building scalable data platforms, delivering business intelligence, collaborating with various teams, and establishing performance metrics to measure impact.

Candidates for the Director of Data Engineering role at PayZen should have over 8 years of experience in data leadership roles, ideally within healthcare or fintech. Proficiency in SQL, Python, and modern cloud technologies is essential, alongside strong communication skills and a strategic mindset. Experience with healthcare payment ecosystems and regulatory compliance is also highly beneficial.

The Director of Data Engineering contributes to patient financial outcomes at PayZen by providing data-driven insights that inform leadership decisions and improving the overall efficiency of patient payment systems. By overseeing data governance and analytics, this role directly influences the strategic initiatives that enhance patients' access to affordable healthcare.

The Director of Data Engineering at PayZen should be familiar with a range of technologies, including SQL, Python, cloud platforms like Snowflake and Redshift, and tools for data engineering like Databricks and Airflow. Knowledge of machine learning and predictive analytics is a plus, as well as experience with healthcare systems such as EpicHealth and Flywire.

The Director of Data Engineering role at PayZen is unique because it combines the fast-paced environment of a high-growth tech startup with the meaningful opportunity to impact healthcare finance. This position allows you to work at the intersection of technology and healthcare, driving innovative solutions that affect patients’ financial well-being and supporting a mission-driven organization.

When answering this question, focus on specific examples of how you have successfully led data teams in the past. Discuss your leadership style, how you motivate your team, and the measurable results your teams have achieved. Highlight any successful projects and the impact they had on the organization.

Discuss your approach to understanding and implementing regulatory frameworks such as HIPAA and PCI-DSS. Provide an example of a strategy you developed that ensured compliance while also achieving business objectives, illustrating your understanding of both the technical and operational challenges involved.

Share your experience with various data architecture and pipeline tools and the reasons for your preferences. Discuss how you have leveraged these tools to solve specific data challenges and what criteria you use to evaluate their effectiveness in supporting business goals.

Explain your methodology for designing scalable data platforms, including considerations for data volume, diversity of sources, and processing speed. Include examples of platforms you’ve built and how they effectively supported business growth and compliance needs.

Use this question to outline a specific project that had significant challenges. Discuss the obstacles, your problem-solving approach, and how you kept the team motivated. Focus on the results and what you learned, showcasing your leadership and analytical skills.

Share specific projects where you utilized predictive analytics or machine learning techniques in healthcare contexts. Discuss the methodologies you employed, the outcomes achieved, and any relevant tools or technologies you used to drive insights.

Discuss your strategies for translating complex data insights into easily understandable formats for non-technical stakeholders. Include examples of previous communication experiences and the methods you used to ensure clarity and engagement.

Enumerate the KPIs you consider critical for measuring the success of data engineering efforts. Discuss how you align these KPIs with broader business objectives and provide examples of how they influenced your team’s strategy and decision-making.

Detail your approaches to professional development in the field of data engineering, such as attending industry conferences, participating in webinars, or being part of professional networks. Mention how you incorporate emerging trends and technologies into your work and influence your team.

Articulate your motivation for wanting to join PayZen and how it aligns with your career aspirations and values. Highlight your enthusiasm for making a positive impact in healthcare finance and how your skills and experiences uniquely qualify you for this role.