Senior Project Lead Data Engineering and AI (Contractor)R

This is a high-impact opportunity for a seasoned project management professional to step into a critical leadership role at the intersection of data engineering cloud modernization and artificial intelligence. You will serve as the primary project lead supporting a Technical Program Manager on a complex enterprise-wide data and AI adoption program within a major Texas health and human services agency. Your work will directly influence how the agency leverages data to serve millions of Texans coordinating cross-functional teams managing deliverables across business and engineering stakeholders and keeping a sophisticated technology transformation on track and on time.

If you thrive in fast-moving mission-driven environments and have a proven track record leading data-heavy technical programs this role was built for you.

Core Responsibilities

As the Senior Project Lead you will own the day-to-day coordination and execution of a data engineering and AI adoption program. This means defining and tracking project scope milestones timelines and success metrics while managing budgets forecasting resource needs and delivering clear financial status reports to leadership. You will serve as the connective tissue between data engineers developers business analysts and executive stakeholders translating complex technical concepts into actionable insights for non-technical audiences and ensuring alignment across all workstreams.

You will lead cross-functional teams and vendor relationships facilitate requirements gathering and business analysis and drive specifications development through to system implementation. Maintaining rigorous project documentation including charters project plans schedules and lessons learned is a core expectation of this role. You will also support platform and data engineering initiatives track deliverables tied to cloud and AI/ML adoption efforts and proactively surface risks and blockers before they become issues.

Qualifications :

Required Technical Experience

All of the following represent minimum requirements. Candidates must be able to demonstrate 10 years of hands-on experience in each area:

Leading technical projects or programs in data analytics and cloud environments

Driving data architecture data modeling and data warehousing initiatives from planning through delivery

Managing business intelligence big data and analytics projects in complex enterprise settings

Supporting healthcare data initiatives with familiarity in standards such as FHIR CCDA and HL7

Applying working knowledge of SQL and database technologies to support project planning estimation and issue resolution

Communicating complex technical concepts clearly to business and executive audiences

Leading cross-functional teams vendors and complex project timelines

Collaborating effectively with data engineers developers analysts and business partners

Defining project scope objectives milestones timelines and success metrics

Managing project budgets forecasting resource planning and financial status reporting

Proficiency with project management tools such as Jira Azure DevOps MS Project or Smartsheet

Producing high-quality project documentation including plans charters schedules and lessons learned

Working knowledge of cloud platforms data systems or enterprise applications

Demonstrated proactive leadership with strong attention to detail and the ability to work independently

Certification Requirement: An active Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is mandatory and must be clearly listed on your resume. Proof of certification may be requested at any time.

Preferred Qualifications

Candidates who bring the following will stand out in the selection process:

8 years of experience in healthcare or other regulated environments including compliance security and data governance

8 years of experience with SDLC IT architecture information management principles and enterprise technologies

8 years of consulting and facilitation experience with strong customer-facing communication skills across all organizational levels

Additional certifications such as PgMP PMI-ACP SAFe or similar project management credentials

3 years supporting AI advanced analytics or digital transformation initiatives at the program or project level

3 years with TOGAF Cloud Solution Architecture or cloud certifications (Azure AWS or GCP)

Additional Information :

Work Model

Hybrid Austin TX (Local Candidates Only)
Primary Location: 701 W 51st Street Austin TX 78751

This position follows a hybrid schedule with 3 days remote and 2 days on-site (Wednesdays and Fridays). Standard hours are MondayFriday 8:00 AM5:00 PM CT excluding Texas state holidays. Occasional evening weekend or holiday work may be required with advance coordination and approval.

LOCAL CANDIDATES ONLY: You must currently reside in Texas and be local to the Austin area to be considered. Candidates who are out of state and planning to relocate will not be considered. All travel parking and commuting expenses are the responsibility of the candidate.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Contract