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Job Description

As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state, and around the world. UW employees bring their energy, creative problem-solving skills to their work and are dedicated to building stronger minds and a healthier world. UW is Committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff, your experiences, perspectives, and unique identities will be honored at the University of Washington. Together, our community strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are inclusive, equitable, and welcoming.

Finance, Planning, and Budgeting (FPB) encompasses the major central financial, planning, analytical, and budgeting functions for the University of Washington, including:

+ Finance & Budget Strategy

+ Institutional Analytics & Decision Support

+ Policy, Planning & State Operations

+ University Business Services

The Incentive-Based Budget (IBB) Project Team is responsible for designing, developing, and implementing a comprehensive IBB framework for the institution. Team members collaborate across functions to lead financial modeling, build data infrastructure, engage stakeholders, and manage change processes. The team ensures the project is staffed with internal experts and strategic hires, coordinates workflow across modeling and technical groups, and maintains alignment with institutional goals. Members are accountable for delivering accurate models, supporting effective communication and training, and ensuring both project and existing FPB teams are adequately resourced and fairly compensated throughout the initiative.

Within this framework, the **_Database Architect and Developer_** serves as a senior technical specialist responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining the data and software systems that power the University’s financial modeling, planning, and reporting environments. The position applies advanced software engineering and systems analysis techniques to design efficient, scalable data architectures that integrate information from diverse enterprise systems. This includes developing optimized database structures, data pipelines, and automation processes that ensure data quality, consistency, and performance across platforms.

Operating at the intersection of technology and institutional strategy, the Database Architect and Developer evaluates emerging tools, frameworks, and architectures to enhance the University’s analytic capabilities and system performance. The role serves as a key technical resource and advisor, translating complex technical concepts into actionable solutions that support data-informed decision-making. Through expert programming, system optimization, and cross-functional collaboration, the position strengthens the University’s data infrastructure, ensuring it remains secure, reliable, and responsive to evolving institutional needs.

We encourage applicants to apply even if they do not feel they satisfy all of the skills listed below; we understand that it will take some time for the successful applicant to strengthen specific position skills where needed, to learn about the university systems, campuses, and vendor collaborators, to develop a deep understanding of the FPB environment itself. You will join a supportive team that will partner with you in these efforts; we are an open, ethical, highly engaged, and collaborative community based on trust, transparency, and mutual respect. We believe in the importance of quality of life, embracing inclusion, making a difference, and having fun.

Duties & Responsibilities:

_System Design and Development_

+ Design, develop, and maintain large-scale database systems, integrations, and data pipelines that support the Incentive-Based Budget (IBB) framework

+ Write, test, and debug scripts, queries, stored procedures, and automation routines to optimize system performance and reliability

+ Create and implement data models that integrate information from diverse enterprise systems and data sources

+ Develop and maintain ETL/ELT processes that ensure data quality, consistency, and timeliness

+ Apply software engineering principles to build efficient, scalable, and secure data and application components

+ Implement proactive solutions to prevent performance or data integrity issues across institutional data environments

_Systems Analysis and Optimization_

+ Conduct performance tuning, capacity planning, and system analysis to optimize database and application efficiency

+ Evaluate and resolve complex data and software issues affecting system functionality or reporting accuracy

+ Analyze technical requirements and translate business needs into functional system specifications

+ Assess and document dependencies, workflows, and system interactions to support long-term sustainability and interoperability

+ Recommend configuration changes, performance improvements, or architecture modifications based on analysis results

_Technical Architecture and Innovation_

+ Design and document data architectures, integration layers, and system interfaces that enable reliable information sharing across platforms

+ Research and evaluate emerging technologies, such as data lakes, lakehouses, and cloud-native architectures, to enhance institutional analytics

+ Recommend technical standards, tools, and design patterns that align with University policies and strategic objectives

+ Ensure that systems are designed with scalability, maintainability, and security as core principles

+ Collaborate with infrastructure and security teams to ensure compliance with institutional and regulatory requirements

_Collaboration, Documentation, and Support_

+ Partner with FPB, IT, and academic units to ensure that data systems meet functional and analytical requirements

+ Document technical specifications, system diagrams, and workflows to support knowledge transfer and system sustainability

+ Communicate technical information clearly to diverse audiences, bridging the gap between technical and non-technical stakeholders

+ Provide expert consultation and guidance to project teams on database design, system integration, and performance optimization

+ Support users and analysts through training, documentation, and technical troubleshooting

_Continuous Improvement and Institutional Impact_

+ Identify opportunities to enhance automation, streamline data processes, and improve data accessibility across the University

+ Contribute to initiatives that strengthen the University’s analytic capabilities and data-driven decision-making

+ Participate in cross-functional discussions that align data infrastructure with institutional planning and financial strategy

+ Foster innovation and continuous improvement in system design, development practices, and technical operations

+ Other duties as assigned

This position is temporarily funded through 6/30/2028.

Requirements:

+ Bachelor’s degree in computer science, information systems, data engineering, or a related technical field, and five or more years of progressive experience in database design, software development, or systems integration

+ An equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills have been acquired may substitute for a degree

+ Proficiency in systems design and design principles, developing, and sustaining both relational and non-relational databases, as well as data-centric applications

+ Possesses deep expertise in system design and enterprise architecture frameworks, enabling the creation and deployment of scalable, high-performance data solutions that serve organizational needs efficiently and reliably

+ Proficiency in SQL and experience creating and optimizing complex queries, stored procedures, and data transformations

+ Experience with data integration and ETL/ELT frameworks, including scripting and automation for data flow and transformation

+ Proven ability to analyze system requirements, develop functional and technical specifications, and translate business needs into system solutions

+ Experience with software development best practices, including version control, documentation, and testing

+ Expertise in designing and implementing advanced data architecture patterns including data warehouses, data lakes, and lakehouses with a proven track record of effectively managing, integrating, and optimizing both structured and unstructured data across complex, large-scale environments

+ Knowledge of system performance tuning, capacity planning, and database optimization for large or complex data environments

+ Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and debugging skills applied to complex technical and data challenges

+ Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts to diverse audiences

+ Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across technical and non-technical teams and manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment

+ Demonstrated experience in working on diverse groups and teams; create a culture of inclusion and equity throughout the team while supporting the overall culture of FPB

Desired:

+ Master’s degree in computer science, data engineering, or a related discipline

+ Experience with Azure Data Services or other cloud-based data services and architectures, such as AWS, Snowflake, or Databricks

+ Familiarity with enterprise financial systems (e.g., Workday Financials, Oracle, SAP) and related reporting environments

+ Knowledge of programming languages (e.g., Python, R, PowerShell, or C#) for data processing, automation, or system integration

+ Experience implementing or supporting data governance, information security, and compliance frameworks

+ Background in higher education, public-sector, or large-scale institutional data systems

+ Certification or formal training in database administration, software engineering, or cloud data architecture

Compensation, Benefits and Position Details

Pay Range Minimum:

$130,008.00 annual

Pay Range Maximum:

$170,004.00 annual

Other Compensation:

-

Benefits:

For information about benefits for this position, visit https://www.washington.edu/jobs/benefits-for-uw-staff/

Shift:

First Shift (United States of America)

Temporary or Regular?

This is a regular position

FTE (Full-Time Equivalent):

100.00%

Union/Bargaining Unit:

Not Applicable

About the UW

Working at the University of Washington provides a unique opportunity to change lives – on our campuses, in our state and around the world.

UW employees bring their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to building stronger minds and a healthier world. In return, they enjoy outstanding benefits, opportunities for professional growth and the chance to work in an environment known for its diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

Our Commitment

The University of Washington is proud to be an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer (https://hr.uw.edu/eoaa/) . All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at 206-543-6450 or [email protected] .

Applicants considered for this position will be required to disclose if they are the subject of any substantiated findings or current investigations related to sexual misconduct at their current employment and past employment. Disclosure is required under Washington state law (https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=28B.112.080) .

University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, religion, color, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.