This role offers a hybrid work schedule providing the opportunity for in-person collaboration at our Wilmington, DE location.
The Senior Principal Cloud Data Engineer is a senior‑level individual contributor responsible for defining, building, and evolving enterprise cloud data platform capabilities in Microsoft Azure. This role provides deep technical leadership across cloud data architecture, platform engineering, and enablement, ensuring that enterprise data solutions are scalable, secure, and consistent with M&T’s data and technology strategies.
The role partners closely with Enterprise Architecture and the Data organization to help define and drive the enterprise data strategy from a cloud platform perspective. In addition to influencing strategy, this role is accountable for owning and engineering the associated Azure‑based data platform capabilities that enable analytics, reporting, and data‑driven solutions across the enterprise.
The position operates primarily upstream of data solution delivery, focusing on platform standards, reusable capabilities, and architectural alignment while remaining grounded in hands‑on engineering and real‑world implementation.
Enterprise Cloud Data Platform Leadership
Define and influence the architecture and engineering standards for enterprise cloud data platforms in Azure.
Serve as a senior technical authority for cloud data platform decisions, including trade‑offs across scalability, security, performance, and cost.
Provide technical leadership for the evolution of shared data capabilities used by analytics, reporting, and application teams.
Data Strategy Partnership
Partner closely with Enterprise Architecture and the Data organization to: Help shape and refine the enterprise data strategy, Translate data strategy into actionable cloud platform capabilities, Ensure cloud data platform designs align with enterprise data models, governance standards, and long‑term architectural direction.
Act as a technical bridge between data strategy and engineering execution.
Cloud Data Platform Engineering (Azure)
Own the design and build‑out of core Azure‑based data platform capabilities, including but not limited to: Data ingestion and integration patterns, Enterprise data storage and lakehouse architectures, Data processing and transformation platforms, Analytics and consumption enablement patterns
Establish opinionated, reusable platform components and reference implementations rather than one‑off data solutions.
Ensure data platforms are built with automation, resilience, and security by design.
Standards, Patterns & Reference Architectures
Develop and maintain approved reference architectures and technical patterns for cloud‑based data solutions.
Define standards for: Data pipelines and integration approaches, Storage, partitioning, and lifecycle management, Access control, encryption, and data protection, Monitoring, observability, and operational support
Ensure patterns are adoption‑ready and consumable by delivery teams.
Engineering Enablement
Reduce delivery friction for data engineers and analytics teams by providing: Clear technical guidance, Reusable templates and frameworks, Platform‑embedded controls and defaults
Promote consistency and reuse across data solutions while enabling appropriate flexibility for use‑case‑driven needs.
Influence adoption through engineering leadership rather than mandate.
Hands‑On Technical Contribution
Remain actively engaged in: Architecture and design reviews, Proofs of concept and technical validations, Platform pilots and early‑stage data initiatives
Validate that cloud data standards and platforms are practical, scalable, and operationally viable.
Provide technical mentorship to senior cloud and data engineers.
Cross‑Functional Collaboration
Work in close partnership with: Enterprise and solution architecture, Data engineering, analytics, and governance teams, Cloud and infrastructure engineering, Security and risk management teams
Communicate data platform decisions and standards clearly to engineering leadership and senior technology stakeholders.
Ensure alignment between cloud platform capabilities and enterprise data objectives.
Senior individual contributor role with enterprise‑level impact.
Direct accountability for the design and build‑out of shared cloud data platform capabilities in Azure.
No direct people‑management or budget ownership.
Success measured by:
Adoption of enterprise data platform capabilities
Reduction in bespoke or inconsistent data solutions
Improved scalability and reliability of data workloads
Alignment between data strategy and platform execution
Combined minimum of 10 years’ higher education and/or experience in systems design, management, and/or architecture
Thorough understanding of the system development and infrastructure lifecycle and architecture, vendor best practices, IT Service Management, and systems design
Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or equivalent practical experience
Significant experience in cloud data engineering or platform engineering roles
Demonstrated expertise in:
Azure data services and architectures
Cloud‑based data integration and processing
Platform‑engineering approaches for data solutions
Infrastructure as Code and automation
Experience operating in large‑scale or regulated enterprise environments
Background in enterprise data platforms, analytics enablement, or data modernization
Familiarity with data governance, data quality, and operational data management practices
M&T Bank is committed to fair, competitive, and market-informed pay for our employees. The pay range for this position is $153,700.00 - $256,100.00 Annual (USD). The successful candidate’s particular combination of knowledge, skills, and experience will inform their specific compensation.
Wilmington, Delaware, United States of America
Great companies have an enduring sense of purpose. At M&T, our purpose is a simple one: make a difference in people’s lives and uplift the communities we serve. Founded in 1856 in Buffalo, NY we are now a top 11 full-service US-based commercial bank with a retail footprint across the east coast and wealth services available nationwide and abroad. As a bank, we offer advice, guidance, expertise, and solutions across the entire financial spectrum that combines M&T’s traditional banking services with the wealth management and institutional capabilities offered by Wilmington Trust. We are a community-minded organization with more than 167 years of experience. We serve customers, community, and colleagues whether they be across the street, across the state or across the country.
As an employer of choice, we are proud to offer competitive benefits ranging from medical and retirement to forty hours of paid volunteer time, each year. Our core values drive the work we do – integrity, ownership, collaboration, curiosity, candor and we seek to further build upon our record of success by bringing in top talent and fresh skill sets while continuing to support the growth and development of all our team members.
M&T Bank is unwavering when it comes to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, ethnicity, sex, gender identity, age, disability, citizenship, pregnancy, veteran status, military status, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local laws.
