Job Title: Data Engineer
Job Category: Administrative – Information Technology
Employee Type: Full-Time – Exempt
Pay of Pay: $70,000 – $80,000
Location: 1617 Wilcox Blvd. Chattanooga, TN 37406
Revision Date: July 13, 2026
Summary of Job:
The primary mission of the Data Engineer is to build and maintain the real-time CARTA data warehouse. Reporting to the Chief Innovation Officer, the Data Engineer is responsible for a wide range of tasks, including building and maintaining data pipelines, managing the vehicle tracking system, and extracting data from a wide range of both modern and legacy systems. The Data Engineer must be proficient in Python and able to work diligently.
Essential Job Functions:
- Maintain our cloud-based data warehouse and connections to other systems
- Work to ensure high reliability and accuracy of data and services
- Build data pipelines from our ERP system for financial reporting and analysis
- Build data pipelines on ridership, demand, revenue, and cost to support planning
- Build and maintain several mission critical data pipelines for real-time transit operations
- Build and maintain the cloud-based vehicle tracking data system
- Contribute to and maintain many open-source projects
- Write database queries that extract information from several on-prem and cloud-hosted databases
- Write API calls in Python that pull data from various systems
- Work with internal CARTA teams to understand problems and develop project requirements
- Provide service desk support when required, such as when IT technician staff are out of the office
- Troubleshoot and fix issues with vehicle tracking hardware, including routers and servers
- Independently move equipment up to 50 lbs., including servers, racks, and battery backups
- Stand for long periods of time, fixing physical networking issues on vehicles and in drop ceiling
- Work independently with discipline and motivation to complete tasks efficiently.
- Ability to perform occasional and unplanned local travel to support various locations.
Supervisory & Operational Authority:
- This position has 0 direct report(s).
Compliance:
- Responsible for completing all mandatory training classes.
- Responsible for reviewing and complying with all CARTA policies, procedures and directives.
Education Requirements:
- High School Diploma or Equivalent
- Bachelor’s degree in a related field(preferred), or an equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant work experience
Required Qualifications:
- At least one year of professional Python experience
- Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills
- Strong communication skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Attention to detail and organizational skills
- Valid driver’s license
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working in an operational environment
- Experience with SQL
- Knowledge or interest in cloud engineering
- Experience with Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure or Google Cloud Platform
- Experience with cloud-native file formats like parquet
- Experience with or interest in learning JavaScript
- Knowledge of internet security and data privacy principles
- Familiarity with open-source technology
Work Location and Schedule:
- Work is 5 days per week on-site. Remote work is currently not available.
- Must be able to work outside normal office hours (outside M-F 6am – 7pm) and on weekends
- As an essential employee, the Data Engineer must be available to work outside scheduled hours according to the needs of the organization.
Safety Requirements & Notifications:
The Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) is a public transit service provider governed by requirements of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Department of Transportation (DOT).
Due to the nature of some work performed at CARTA some jobs are classified as ‘Safety Sensitive’ and are subject to random testing for drug and alcohol use. All offers for employment are required to undergo pre-employment and possible random drug testing. If test shows a positive result your application for employment will be rejected, or if hired, employment may be terminated.
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” employment relationship.
Work Environment:
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
Application Process:
To apply for this vacancy you must complete the application in full. Applications are considered for 90 days. The Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) is an Equal Opportunity Employer — M/F/D/V.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to disclose true and accurate information on their account profile and/or resume. Falsification of this information may lead to your disqualification from vacancy consideration and/or termination of employment.
The Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) is an Equal Opportunity Employer (protected veterans, disability) and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace. Employees who require a reasonable accommodation as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) must notify CARTA in advance to allow sufficient time for CARTA to provide the accommodation.