Middle Seat is a full-service media and fundraising firm. We support progressive campaigns, organizations, and causes fighting for racial justice, climate action, immigrant rights, intersectional feminism, economic justice, and more. Our work includes advertising, fundraising, development, creative, organizing, and strategy.
We are a proudly unionized team (part of the Campaign Workers Guild), and this role is covered by a collective bargaining agreement.
About the Role
As a Data Engineer at Middle Seat Digital, you will spearhead the development and management of our data infrastructure. You’ll ensure our teams and clients have the insights and tools they need to raise money and communicate with voters.
You will be working with a tech stack that includes AWS (S3), SQL, Redshift, Python, Github, and Google Looker Studio. You’ll also work with the Democratic Party tech stack, including but not limited to platforms like ActBlue, ActionKit, Action Network, Civis, NGPVAN, Everyaction, and more.
We are looking for a Data Engineer with a combination of the right technical expertise and a passion for helping progressive causes and candidates succeed.
Job Responsibilities
- Develop, manage, and optimize data systems for storing, transforming, and analyzing large datasets for Middle Seat and its clients, ensuring high performance, security, and reliability.
- Manage, maintain, optimize and innovate on Middle Seat’s proprietary Target Sync and Blocklist data tools.
- Utilize Python, Redshift, SQL, and additional programming languages as required to analyze, summarize, and report on critical data insights.
- Assemble, manage, and optimize large and complex data sets to meet both functional and non-functional business requirements, enhancing data accessibility and utility.
- Engineer robust database systems to guarantee database integrity, security, and performance, aiding analysts and other stakeholders in optimizing data pipelines and code for efficiency.
- Design and implement efficient data movement strategies between databases, multiple data sources, and analytical tools, ensuring seamless data integration and accessibility.
- Develop and maintain infrastructure for effective data extraction, transformation, and loading (ETL) utilizing AWS and SQL technologies, streamlining data processing workflows.
- Collaborate extensively with stakeholders across teams to address data infrastructure needs, troubleshoot technical issues, and support cross-functional data initiatives.
- Gain an understanding of deliverability principles, master the warmup process, manage IP and domain reputations, track open rates, address challenges as they occur, and collaborate with the email team to ensure optimal email deliverability rankings.
- Drive process improvements by optimizing data delivery, automating manual tasks, and enhancing data management practices to boost efficiency and data quality.
- Uphold the highest standards of data quality and reliability, proactively identifying opportunities for data acquisition and integration to support organizational objectives.
- Build, maintain, and support analytical tools, providing technical assistance to team members to facilitate data-driven decision-making.
- Manage, maintain, optimize and drive innovation for Middle Seat’s Data Studio reports tailored for clients.
- Act as the primary liaison and account manager for external data vendors and platforms, ensuring effective partnership and data integration.
- Provide agency-wide leadership in data engineering, offering support and guidance for utilizing Democratic political CRMs such as ActionKit, ActionNetwork, and NGP/EveryAction.
- Lead the coordination and execution of internal and external email and phone data transfers.
- Perform additional responsibilities as assigned by management, adapting to evolving business needs and contributing to the team’s success.
Qualifications
- Proficiency in SQL, Redshift, and Python with at least 2 years of professional experience.
- Demonstrated experience in deploying and managing data pipelines.
- Strong analytical skills with a passion for quantitative problem-solving, meticulous attention to detail, and effective multitasking abilities.
- Proven ability to prioritize projects, with a capacity for both independent direction and delegating tasks as needed.
- Eagerness to excel in a fast-paced environment, possessing a proactive attitude toward tackling unique challenges and devising creative solutions.
- Proficient in Excel/Google Sheets, with experience utilizing advanced formulas.
- Familiarity with dbt for data build tooling.
- Proficiency in SQL, Redshift, and Python with at least 2 years of professional experience.
- Demonstrated experience in deploying and managing data pipelines.
- Strong analytical skills with a passion for quantitative problem-solving, meticulous attention to detail, and effective multitasking abilities.
- Proven ability to prioritize projects, with a capacity for both independent direction and delegating tasks as needed.
- Eagerness to excel in a fast-paced environment, possessing a proactive attitude toward tackling unique challenges and devising creative solutions.
- Proficient in Excel/Google Sheets, with experience utilizing advanced formulas.
- Familiarity with dbt for data build tooling.
Strongly Preferred but Not Required
- Previous experience in a political campaign, nonprofit organization, or political consultancy is highly valued.
- Familiarity with the current technology stack: AWS (S3), SQL, Redshift, Python, GitHub, and Google Looker Studio.
- Experience with the Democratic Party’s technology stack, including ActBlue, ActionKit, Action Network, Civis, NGPVAN, and EveryAction.
- Experience in designing or developing analytical models.
Salary & Benefits
- This particular position is $85,000 to $100,000, dependent on relevant experience
- 100% premium coverage for health, dental and vision
- Profit-sharing plan: share in the growth and success of Middle Seat
- Mobile phone reimbursement up to $50 per month
- One Medical health service: video call or chat with doctors, no wait-time appointments
- Health Advocate: the nation’s leading healthcare advocacy and assistance company
- 6% employer match on your 401k retirement account
- 20 paid vacation days off, plus your birthday and your Anniversary at Middle Seat
- Unlimited sick leave
- Commuter benefits for public transportation
- Office Space (WeWork, etc) Stipend for Remote Employees
- 12 weeks of paid leave for new parents
- $100 monthly student loan reimbursement
- $350 monthly mental health benefit
- $1,000 annual professional development reimbursement
We are committed to building a diverse and passionate team. We encourage creative-minded individuals with a strong technical aptitude to apply for this position. Women, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals are strongly encouraged to apply.
Our firm is values-driven. We are intentional with the progressive clients we work with — and we strive to make our work environment and benefits reflect that, including salary transparency, healthy work-life balance, and consistent employee feedback and communication. We’re happy to talk more about our company culture with prospective applicants.