Senior Data Engineer Jobs in Rancho Cordova, CA (NOW HIRING)

California's long-awaited statewide Cradle-to-Career Data System has launched. You can help build a statewide system that brings together existing data with an aim of addressing barriers to opportunity from early learning, through K-12, college, and career.
We are hiring a Senior Data Engineer (SDE) to lead the development of data pipelines to ingest, cleanse, transform, and integrate into the Cradle-to-Career Data System. The incumbent will ensure data is available as a service for data warehouses, digital services, and dashboards. The SDE will plan, develop, and document policies and best practices for the Office of Cradle-to-Career Data. We are looking for an engineer who is excited to build something new with a small, entrepreneurial team, using emerging technologies.
About the Role
As the Senior Data Engineer, you will have responsibility for data lifecycle management, end-to-end. This includes:

• Data Management. Plan, design, develop, and implement processes for data management and ensuring that data are secure at rest, in transit, and in use.
• Data Quality. Design, develop, and document patterns and practices to help ensure all data is profiled, reviewed, and accurate to support critical decisions using industry best practices for continuous integration and continuous delivery.
• Collaborate. Work with colleagues and contractors to build and guide architectural improvements to data infrastructure while simultaneously supporting team members to evolve continuous integration and continuous delivery strategy with robust monitoring, altering and recovery.

Your work will be challenging, fun, and focused on enabling Californians to build a more equitable future.
You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .
Working Conditions
This position may be eligible for a telework opportunity in accordance with departmental policies and operational needs. Employees are currently required to work in-person at least four (4) days per week in alignment with Executive Order N-22-25. Additional in-office days may be required based on operational needs.
Personal Leave Program: Effective July 1, 2025, state employees are subject to temporary salary reductions ranging from 2% to 4.62% in exchange for Personal Leave Program (PLP) hours. Please note that the salary ranges listed in this Job Control may not reflect these reductions associated with the 2025 Personal Leave Program. Please follow the link for more information regarding the 2025 Personal Leave program: http://hrmanual.calhr.ca.gov/Home/ManualItem/1/2113.
The successful candidate will be required to pass a criminal background check (see Education Code 10873).
Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST III

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-528672
Position #(s):
424-100-1415-900
Working Title:
Senior Data Engineer
Classification:
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST III $9,507.00 - $12,740.00
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
Sacramento County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time
Department Information The Office of Cradle-to-Career Data (C2C) is a new state investment working to build a statewide data system that will provide tools to help students reach their goals and deliver reliable and actionable information on education and workforce outcomes.
California's information on early education, K-12 schools, colleges, social services, and employment is currently separate and disconnected. That's why California authorized the creation of the Cradle-to-Career Data System. Through a collaborative 18-month planning process, we designed a data system to be a suite of user-friendly resources focused on early learning through K-12 and higher education, as well as on the financial aid and social services that help students reach their goals. Our vision is to foster evidence-based decision-making to help Californians build more equitable futures and empower individuals to reach their full potential. This is your chance to join a brand-new office to build a transformative set of services to help Californians successfully navigate life from cradle to career.
Department Website: https://www.c2c.ca.gov
Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a Background Investigation be cleared prior to being hired.

Application Instructions
Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: 8/28/2026
Who May Apply
Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply. Individuals who are eligible for a Training and Development assignment may also be considered for this position(s). Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).
How To Apply
Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:
Address for Mailing Application Packages
You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:
Cradle-to-Career
CalHR
Attn: Class & Hiring Unit
1515 S Street
North Building, Suite 500
Sacramento , CA 95811
Address for Drop-Off Application Packages
You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:
Cradle-to-Career
CalHR
Attn: Class & Hiring Unit
1810 16th Street
Sacramento , CA 95811
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Required Application Package Documents
The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.
Desirable Qualifications In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:
The ideal candidate would have the following knowledge, skills, and abilities.

• You love engaging with people as much as engaging with data and technology
• You are constantly learning and engaged in the modern data stack ecosystem and enjoy staying up to date on emerging and best practices.
• You have a knack for and enjoy communicating technical and architectural tradeoffs clearly to different audiences.
• You value simplicity and elegance in architecting solutions over needless complexity and have a sixth sense for evaluating platforms that are fit for purpose.
• You like keeping knowledge fresh on platforms and willing to get in and support the team on testing and implementing platforms.
• You value good documentation and guidance to help others successfully use data platforms.
• You take pleasure in sharing your knowledge and experience with others to help them succeed in adopting modern data practices.
• You relish demonstrating the value of a cloud-first approach to data tools and the benefits of applying software engineering approaches to data work and are eager to hands-on engage with project work to ensure that value is communicated.
• You are excited about applying your talents to improve the lives of Californians.

Benefits Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.
Contact Information
The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.
Department Website: https://www.c2c.ca.gov
Human Resources Contact:
Izzy Isquierdo
(916) 909-3290
Izzy.Isquierdo@calhr.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
Lesley Taylor
(916) 208-8493
lesley.taylor@c2c.ca.gov
Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact:
RA Coordinators
(916) 324-3235
RACoordinators@calhr.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.
Additional Application Information
Using the online application system as specified in the announcement is the preferred method for applying for civil service job opportunities; however, applicants may instead apply by way of U.S. mail, parcel delivery or courier service, or in person, as set forth in this announcement.

• Electronic Submission: Application and any required applicable documents may be submitted electronically through CalCareers account. The application packages must be received electronically by 11:59 p.m. on the final filing date as stated on the job vacancy announcement.
• U.S Postal Service Mail: Application and any applicable required documents may be submitted by mail. The envelope must be postmarked before or on the final filing date as stated on the job vacancy announcement.

Do not include confidential information such as social security numbers, date of birth, marital status, equal employment opportunity data, examination scores, and LEAP information.
Per CCR 249.3 we may fill additional positions from this recruitment.
Examination Information
Take the online Information Technology Specialist III exam to become list eligible for this position.
The Limited Examination and Appointment Program (LEAP) is an optional pathway to state civil service for people with disabilities. Visit the CalHR LEAP page for additional information.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.