Data Engineer

About The Role

The Lead Data Engineer role at 3M offers an exciting opportunity for experienced professionals to spearhead the development of advanced data platforms that support artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) initiatives. This position involves designing, building, and optimizing scalable, secure data pipelines and architectures that enable sophisticated analytics and AI applications. The successful candidate will collaborate with data scientists, ML engineers, and cross-functional teams to translate business needs into innovative technical solutions. Leading the end-to-end data engineering processes, mentoring junior engineers, and ensuring compliance with data governance standards are key aspects of this role.

The position is remote within the United States, providing flexibility while contributing to impactful projects that drive innovation across the organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in computer science or related field from an accredited institution.
• Seven (7) or more years of experience in data engineering, including leading technical initiatives.
• Proficiency in Python, SQL, and distributed data systems such as Spark, Databricks, or Synapse.
• Experience developing AI/ML-ready data pipelines, feature stores, and training data flows.
• Hands-on experience with cloud platforms, preferably Azure, including Data Lake, Data Factory, Databricks, and Cosmos DB.
• Strong understanding of ML concepts, lifecycle, and MLOps practices.
• Experience with workflow orchestration tools like Airflow, Data Factory, or Synapse Pipelines.
• Familiarity with streaming platforms such as Kafka or Event Hub.
• Knowledge of vector databases, embeddings, or LLM-oriented data pipelines.
• Background in DevOps, CI/CD, or infrastructure as code.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate business requirements into technical solutions.

Responsibilities

• Lead the architecture and development of scalable, secure data pipelines supporting AI/ML workloads.
• Own end-to-end data engineering processes including data ingestion, transformation, storage, quality assurance, and monitoring.
• Collaborate closely with data scientists and ML engineers to develop model features, training pipelines, and deployment strategies.
• Implement best practices in data modeling, orchestration, versioning, and performance tuning to optimize data workflows.
• Mentor and guide junior data engineers, fostering a culture of continuous learning and technical excellence.
• Contribute to the development of technical roadmaps and solution patterns aligned with organizational goals.
• Ensure adherence to data governance, lineage, security, and compliance standards across all platforms.
• Support both real-time and batch processing frameworks in production environments, ensuring reliability and scalability.

Benefits

• Competitive salary range of $188,251 - $230,084, including base pay and variable incentives.
• Comprehensive health benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts for healthcare and dependent care.
• Disability benefits, life insurance, and voluntary benefits options.
• Paid time off and holidays to support work-life balance.
• Retail plans and savings programs to secure your financial future.
• Opportunities for professional development and career growth within a global organization.
• A supportive work environment with programs aimed at promoting physical and financial well-being.

Equal Opportunity

3M is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We value diversity and are dedicated to creating a workplace where everyone can thrive and contribute to our mission of innovation and positive impact worldwide.