Senior Project Lead - Data Engineering and AI (Contractor) - 529601724R

Big challenges need bold thinkers.

If you’re someone who sees problems as opportunities, you’ll thrive here. RESPEC is 100% employee-owned, which means we take ownership of every challenge. Here, your ideas drive real solutions. Since 1969, we’ve tackled complex challenges in energy transition, infrastructure resilience, digital transformation, and sustainability.

At RESPEC, you’ll work alongside clients to take on critical problems. Depending on your expertise, you might design infrastructure in remote locations, develop renewable energy solutions for global projects, or apply data-driven technology to improve mining and water systems.

We bring deep technical knowledge, real-world experience, and a commitment to work that matters. If you're looking for a place where your contributions have real impact, you’ll fit right in.

We do not accept unsolicited resumes from third-party recruiters.

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.

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)

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 Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 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.