Data Engineer-Hybrid in Chicago

About Rewards Network

For 40 years, Rewards Network has been helping restaurants grow revenue, increase traffic, and boost customer engagement through innovative financial, marketing services, and premier dining rewards programs. By offering unique card-linked offers, we introduce diners to fantastic restaurant experiences, leveraging advanced technology and data analytics to deliver value to restaurants, diners, and our strategic partners' loyalty programs.

Our Culture

At Rewards Network, you'll be part of a driven and diverse team that excels in collaboration, issue resolution, and taking ownership of both personal growth and the company's success. We take pride in partnering with the world's most powerful loyalty programs to drive full-price paying customers to local restaurants through marketing services and flexible funding options. Our engaging and rewarding environment is designed to help you gain your full potential.

Job Overview

The Data Engineer designs, builds, and maintains scalable data pipelines and infrastructure to support other data-driven initiatives at Rewards Network. This role collaborates closely with cross-functional teams to ensure the availability, reliability, and performance of our data systems and solutions.

This is a hybrid position that requires in office presence two days a week in Chicago

What you’ll bring to the table: (Responsibilities)

• Design, build, and maintain robust data pipelines to extract, transform, and load data between diverse databases and tables


• Develop and optimize ELT processes to ensure efficient and accurate data integration from multiple internal and external sources


• Implement data validation and quality checks to maintain data accuracy, consistency, and reliability throughout data flows


• Model, structure, and manage databases and data warehouses to support analytical and operational needs


• Monitor and troubleshoot data infrastructure performance, addressing issues to maintain system reliability and efficiency


• Automate data workflows and processes to improve scalability and operational efficiency


• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including data scientists, analysts, and software engineers, to understand data requirements and deliver tailored solutions


• Document technical designs, data processes, and best practices to support knowledge sharing and maintain system clarity


• Implement and uphold data security controls and access management policies to protect sensitive information


• Evaluate and recommend improvements to data architecture, storage solutions, and integration strategies to meet evolving business and technical needs

Do you have the right mix of ingredients: (Requirements)

• At least 3 years of directly related experience in technology


• Bachelor's degree in a computer-related field such as Computer Science, Information Technology, or Data Analytics.


• Exception for the degree made for candidates with 7+ years of highly relevant experience.


• AWS certifications


• Demonstrate advanced proficiency in SQL for querying, manipulating, and optimizing data within relational databases


• Apply strong programming skills in Python to build and maintain data pipelines and automate workflows


• Experience working in the AWS environment including with S3 & Redshift databases as well as AWS Glue and other AWS data tools


• Nice-to-have experience: Dbt, Airflow


• Utilize expertise in designing and implementing ETL (Extract, Transform, Load) or ELT (Extract, Load, Transform) processes for efficient data integration across systems


• Design and manage data models and schemas to support scalable, high-performance data storage and retrieval


• Experience with data warehousing solutions and architectures to enable analytics and reporting


• Ensure data integrity, quality, and security through validation, monitoring, and compliance with organizational policies


• Communicates effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders, translating business requirements into technical solutions and documenting processes


• Exhibits strong problem-solving, critical thinking, and attention to detail when troubleshooting data issues or optimizing systems


• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including data scientists, analysts, software enginners, and IT, to deliver data solutions aligned with business objectives while meeting infrastructure & infosec requirements


• Adapt to new technologies and evolving methodologies in the data engineering field, demonstrating a commitment to continuous learning and improvement

What you’ll love about us:

Comprehensive benefits package, which includes:

• This is a full-time, exempt position and the base compensation for this opening in Chicago is expected to be $110,000-$130,000 annualized, depending on level, candidate experience, skills, and other factors; this position will be eligible for an annual bonus program with a target of 10% base annualized salary, for a total compensation of $121,000-$143,000.


• Competitive Paid Time Off and company holidays


• Generous dining reimbursement when you dine with our restaurant clients


• 401(k) plan with a company match


• Two medical plan options- Standard PPO or High Deductible Health Plan (HSA with company match for HDHP participants)


• Partnership with Rx n Go, offering certain prescriptions for free


• Two dental plan options and a vision plan


• Flexible Spending Accounts and a pre-tax commuter benefit program


• Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance Plans


• Short Term and Long Term disability


• Company-paid life insurance and AD&D insurance, supplemental employee, spouse, and child life insurance


• Employee Life Assistance Program


• Hybrid working environment in a new office space downtown near the Metra Train stations and catered lunches on Tuesdays.

Rewards Network is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). We encourage and strongly support workplace diversity.

Expected Pay Range

$110,000 - $130,000 USD