Data Engineer, Platform Modernization (Data Warehouse Programmer/Analyst)

About the role

The Data Engineer, Platform Modernization (Data Warehouse Programmer/Analyst) position at CalOptima is seeking a candidate to join the Enterprise Data and Systems Integrations team. This role involves modernizing CalOptima Health's legacy data estate, retiring Microsoft Access databases, and porting SQL Server stored procedures to the enterprise cloud data platform. The successful candidate will work closely with Data Governance to surface, document, and validate business rules embedded in legacy systems, ensuring enterprise consistency across lines of business.

Responsibilities

• Assists the team in carrying out department responsibilities and collaborating with others to support short and long-term goals/priorities for the department.
• Participates in a mission-driven culture of high-quality performance, with a member focus on customer service, consistency, dignity, and accountability.
• Responsible for the modernization and decommissioning of the Microsoft Access database estate, applying technical judgment to inventory and centralization work performed in partnership with Data Governance and Information Security to recommend retire, migrate or replace paths.
• Designs and delivers modern replacements for legacy Access databases and departmental applications using Power BI, Power Platform with Dataverse, SQL Server stored procedures and the enterprise cloud data platform.
• Ports SQL Server stored procedures and legacy database logic to the modern cloud data platform (e.g., Databricks, Microsoft Fabric, Snowflake) and to the medallion (Bronze, Silver, Gold) architecture using transformation frameworks such as dbt.
• Partners with Data Governance to surface, document and validate business rules embedded in legacy stored procedures and Access databases during migration.
• Collaborates with business owners across the enterprise to understand legacy data workflows, negotiate retire and migrate decisions and ensure continuity of business-critical reporting and operational processes.
• Contributes to the Silver and Gold layers of the medallion architecture, developing transformation models, reporting structures and data quality tests as platform capacity grows.
• Develops parameterized SQL Server Management Studio templates and scheduled jobs to replace ad-hoc query and reporting patterns from retired Access databases.
• Works within established CI/CD pipelines and platform change management practices (e.g., GitHub, Azure DevOps), operating through governed development, test and production environments.
• Documents legacy systems, migration decisions and reusable modernization patterns to support future platform modernization work.
• Queries and analyzes large-scale health care datasets and business logic (e.g., claims, eligibility, provider, member data) using SQL and other tools to support migration analysis and validation.
• Reports modernization progress, risks and decisions to leadership on a regular cadence to ensure visibility and alignment with the enterprise data strategy.
• Stays informed on emerging modernization patterns, low-code platforms and cloud data tools, and proactively recommends enhancements to the organization's modernization approach.
• Manages multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with stakeholder expectations.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, health informatics, data analytics or a related field PLUS 5 years of professional experience in data engineering, data warehousing, database development or legacy systems modernization required; an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the position such as those listed above may also be qualifying.
• 2 years of hands-on experience working with Microsoft Access and VBA programming required.
• 4 years of hands-on experience working with health care data, including administrative and clinical datasets, and familiarity with HIPAA compliance required.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in computer science, health informatics, data analytics or a related field.
• Relevant certifications.
• Demonstrated experience leading legacy data platform modernization or decommissioning initiatives at enterprise scale.
• Hands-on experience porting SQL Server stored procedures and other legacy database logic to a modern cloud data platform (e.g., Snowflake, Microsoft Fabric, Databricks).
• Production experience with dbt and medallion (Bronze, Silver, Gold) data architecture.
• Experience with Power Platform solution design, including Power Apps, Power Automate and Dataverse, as replacements for legacy departmental applications.
• Experience with at least one other programming language (e.g., Python, Scala) for automation and analysis.
• Experience with CI/CD tools and practices (e.g., GitHub, Azure DevOps) for data workflows.
• In-depth experience with SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS) for legacy ETL analysis and modernization.
• Experience working in a healthcare payer environment supporting multiple lines of business, including Medicaid, Medicare, commercial, and dual-eligible populations.
• Familiarity with data governance practices and tools (e.g., Collibra, Purview).
• Experience in regulated industries (e.g., government).

Skills

• Develop rapport and establish and maintain effective working relationships with CalOptima Health's leadership and staff and external contacts at all levels and with diverse backgrounds.
• Work independently and exercise sound judgment.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Work a flexible schedule; available to participate in evening and weekend events.
• Organize, be analytical, problem-solve and possess project management skills.
• Manage multiple projects and identify opportunities for internal and external collaboration.
• Motivate and lead multi-program teams and external committees/coalitions.
• Utilize computer and appropriate software (e.g., Microsoft Office: Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint) and job specific applications/systems to produce correspondence, charts, spreadsheets, and/or other information applicable to the position assignment.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to visually read information from computer screens, forms and other printed materials and information.
• Ability to speak (enunciate) clearly in conversation and general communication.
• Hearing ability for verbal communication/conversation/responses via telephone, telephone systems, and face-to-face interactions.
• Manual dexterity for typing, writing, standing and reaching, flexibility, body movement for bending, crouching, walking, kneeling and prolonged sitting.
• Lifting and moving objects, patients and/or equipment 10 to 25 pounds.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation for this role.
• A comprehensive benefits package including CalPERS pension program and additional retirement packages.
• Variety of wellness programs.
• Tuition Reimbursement.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Career development opportunities.
• Flexible scheduling.