About arenaflex
Welcome to arenaflex – where innovation takes flight and technology powers the future of connectivity! We are on an extraordinary journey to transform the aviation industry and create seamless experiences for millions of travelers worldwide. At arenaflex, we believe that true excellence comes from the dedication, creativity, and passion of our team members. We're not just building infrastructure; we're crafting the backbone of modern air travel through cutting-edge data engineering and machine learning solutions.
Our Digital Innovation team spans the globe, bringing together diverse talent from every corner of the world. We pride ourselves on fostering an inclusive environment where different perspectives fuel breakthrough innovations. Here, you'll find engineers, data scientists, and visionaries collaborating to solve complex challenges that shape the future of the airline industry. Our culture emphasizes continuous learning, professional growth, and the freedom to explore new technologies that push boundaries.
As we continue to expand our operations and modernize our technological ecosystem, we are seeking a visionary leader to join our Data Engineering and Machine Learning team. This is more than just a job – it's an opportunity to make a lasting impact on how we deliver exceptional service to our customers while building the most sophisticated data infrastructure in the industry.
Position Overview
We are currently seeking an accomplished Senior Director of ML Engineering and Data Operations to lead our enterprise-wide Machine Learning Engineering and Platform environment. This is a pivotal role within our organization, requiring a unique blend of technical mastery, strategic thinking, and leadership capabilities. The ideal candidate will possess an exceptional level of technical expertise in building enterprise-wide big data infrastructure and serve as the subject matter expert across all phases of the data and software lifecycle management processes.
You will be responsible for driving data-driven insights and innovation to enable the Data Engineering and Machine Learning needs for business and operational projects with a digital-first approach. This role demands someone who thrives in a collaborative environment, working closely with fellow team members, data scientists, and ML engineers to design and implement transformative solutions.
Key Responsibilities
As a critical member of our Technology leadership team, you will:
- Lead Strategic Technical Initiatives: Collaborate with development teams and division leaders/partners to deliver innovative technical solutions that enable business capabilities and drive operational excellence.
- Design and Build Data Applications: Participate in and lead the design and development of innovative batch and streaming data applications using AWS technologies. Support large-scale data pipelines in a distributed and scalable environment.
- Optimize Cloud Infrastructure: Enable and enhance production AWS environment for data infrastructure and frameworks. Establish robust, scalable cloud architectures that meet our growing demands.
- Platform Development: Set up containerized and Serverless platforms with cloud infrastructure, ensuring seamless integration and optimal performance across all systems.
- Team Leadership and Mentorship: Provide the team with technical direction and approach to be attempted and guide them in resolution of questions/issues. Foster a culture of excellence, continuous learning, and innovation.
- Subsystem Design: Design and enable key subsystems of the Data Platform, focusing on scalability, reliability, and performance optimization.
- Operational Excellence: Drive operational key metrics and establish processes and best practices that ensure consistent quality and efficiency across all data operations.
- Technology Innovation: Work with innovative cloud technologies from AWS and other ecosystems, including but not limited to Windflow, OpenTelemetry, OpenLineage, Marquez, Great Expectations, and other emerging tools and frameworks.
What We're Looking For
Minimum Qualifications (Required)
To succeed in this role, you must bring:
- A Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
- A minimum of 8+ years of professional experience in a related field
- 4+ years of professional experience managing infrastructure and data pipelines using Cloud Formation, Terraform, PySpark, Airflow, or similar technologies
- 2+ years of experience leading a team that designs, engineers, or supports solutions on AWS
- Working knowledge of core AWS technologies including EC2, S3, IAM, Lambda, Glue, SNS, and other foundational services
- General familiarity with additional AWS technologies and services
- Working knowledge of CI/CD tools, SQL, Python, Scala, version control systems, and project management tools like JIRA
- Hands-on experience with any object-oriented programming language
- Must be legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer without sponsorship
Preferred Qualifications (What Will Help You Stand Out)
While these are not required, they will significantly strengthen your application:
- AWS Certification – Solutions Architect, DevOps Engineer, or similar professional credentials
- Experience with Data Quality tools such as Great Expectations, Deequ, or comparable solutions
- Strong knowledge and experience with Linux operating systems or Windows environments
- Advanced degree in Computer Science, Data Science, or related technical field
- Experience with real-time streaming data processing frameworks
- Background in aviation or transportation industry data systems
- Experience with ML model deployment and MLOps practices
Skills and Competencies
Beyond technical qualifications, we value candidates who demonstrate:
- Strategic Vision: The ability to see the big picture and align technical initiatives with business objectives
- Problem-Solving Excellence: Analytical thinking with a proactive approach to identifying and resolving complex challenges
- Communication Skills: Ability to translate technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders and lead cross-functional discussions
- Innovation Mindset: Eagerness to explore new technologies and methodologies that can improve our capabilities
- Collaboration Spirit: Genuine enjoyment working in team environments and mentoring emerging talent
- Adaptability: Comfortable thriving in dynamic, fast-paced environments with evolving priorities
Career Growth and Learning Opportunities
At arenaflex, your career trajectory is limited only by your ambition. We invest heavily in the professional development of our team members through:
- Comprehensive Training Programs: Access to industry-leading conferences, workshops, and certification opportunities
- Internal Mobility: Opportunities to explore different roles across our Technology, Operations, and Business teams
- Mentorship Culture: Pair with experienced leaders who will guide your professional journey
- Cutting-Edge Projects: Work on initiatives that leverage the latest in cloud computing, machine learning, and data engineering
- Leadership Development: Clear pathways to advance into higher technical and management positions
Our commitment to your growth means you'll never stop learning at arenaflex. We encourage every team member to pursue knowledge, share insights, and push the boundaries of what's possible in data engineering and machine learning.
Work Environment and Culture
arenaflex offers a unique work environment that combines the best of technological innovation with a supportive, team-oriented culture. Here's what you can expect:
- Flexible Work Arrangements: We understand that productivity comes in many forms. Our flexible work policies allow you to balance professional and personal priorities effectively
- Inclusive Workplace: We celebrate diversity and believe that inclusion drives innovation. Every voice matters, and we encourage authentic expression of ideas
- Collaborative Spaces: Modern offices designed for teamwork, creativity, and focused work
- Work-Life Balance: Competitive time-off policies that allow you to recharge and return refreshed
- Global Connectivity: Opportunities to work with colleagues across multiple continents and time zones
We believe that happy, healthy team members deliver their best work. That's why we've created an environment where you can thrive both professionally and personally.
Compensation and Benefits
arenaflex is committed to recognizing your contributions with a competitive and comprehensive rewards package:
- Attractive Compensation: Competitive salary of $25/hour (commensurate with experience and qualifications) with annual performance reviews
- Health and Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage
- Financial Security: 401(k) retirement plan with company matching, life insurance, and disability coverage
- Paid Time Off: Generous vacation days, paid holidays, and sick leave
- Parental Leave: Supportive parental leave policies for growing families
- Education Assistance: Tuition reimbursement for qualified educational expenses
- Travel Privileges: Exclusive travel benefits including space-available travel passes for employees and qualified family members
- Employee Assistance Program: Counseling and support services for employees and their families
- Recognition Programs: Programs to recognize and reward outstanding achievements
Our benefits package is designed to support your overall well-being – physical, financial, and emotional. We want you to feel valued and supported in every aspect of your life.
Join Our Journey
At arenaflex, we believe that inclusion drives innovation and is the foundation of everything we do. We value diverse experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds – and we encourage every individual who meets the minimum qualifications to apply. While having the "ideal" qualifications makes for a stronger candidate, we encourage applicants who may not feel they check every single box! We are constantly searching for individuals who will bring something truly unique to our team.
This is your opportunity to be part of something extraordinary. You'll work alongside talented professionals, tackle exciting technical challenges, and contribute to building the most advanced data infrastructure in the aviation industry. Your work will directly impact how millions of people experience air travel.
Are you ready to take your career to new heights? Are you passionate about data engineering, machine learning, and building world-class platforms? Do you thrive in collaborative environments where innovation is celebrated?
If the answer is yes, we invite you to apply today and become part of the arenaflex family!
We can't wait to see what you'll bring to our team.