Senior Systems Engineer - FinOps

JOB SUMMARY

The Senior Systems Engineer – FinOps is a senior technical specialist responsible for driving cloud cost optimization, financial accountability, and engineering-led efficiency across large-scale data platforms. This role focuses on FinOps optimization across Snowflake, AWS EMR, and core AWS services (EC2, S3, Lambda, Redshift, Glue, DynamoDB, EKS).

The engineer designs and implements automation for tagging compliance, budget guardrails, workload efficiency, and anomaly detection to ensure cost-effective, scalable data solutions. Partnering with Cloud Platform, Data Engineering, DevOps, Security, and Finance teams, the role enables cost transparency, enforces governance through policy-as-code, and reduces spending without impacting performance or reliability.

Leveraging FinOps best practices, cost observability, and automated controls, this role ensures efficient operation of Snowflake, EMR, and AWS data pipelines while shaping scalable optimization strategies across a multi-cloud environment.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Required Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in computer science, Engineering, or equivalent experience.
• 7+ years of IT experience, including:

o 5+ years in cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, or Ali Cloud).

o 3+ years of Snowflake cost optimization experience.

o 3+ years of AWS EMR optimization (Spark tuning, cluster right-sizing, Spot strategies).

• Strong scripting and automation experience (Python, Bash, or similar).
• Experience with cloud cost management tools (CloudHealth, Cloudability, AWS Cost Explorer, Snowflake tools).
• Experience in implementing FinOps strategies across AWS services.
• Proven experience managing large-scale cloud budgets and driving cost savings.
• Deep understanding of cloud pricing models, cost drivers, and optimization techniques.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and cross-functional collaboration abilities.

Preferred Education & Experience

• Experience with Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, CloudFormation, Ansible).
• Hands-on experience with containers and orchestration (Docker, Kubernetes, ECS, EKS).
• Experience with distributed data platforms (Spark, Presto, Iceberg, Snowflake).
• Knowledge of emerging cloud capabilities (e.g., EMR Serverless, Snowflake Iceberg tables).
• Familiarity with Linux/Windows operating systems and database platforms.
• Understanding cloud security, compliance, and data protection practices.
• Experience in large-scale, enterprise environments.

CORE WORK RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead FinOps engineering by analyzing and optimizing cost, usage, and performance across Snowflake, AWS EMR, and AWS data services (EC2, EKS, S3, Redshift, Glue, DynamoDB, Lambda).
• Design and implement automation for cost governance, including anomaly detection, budget controls, tagging compliance, and reservation planning, supported by unified cost dashboards.
• Partner with Finance to enable cost transparency through forecasting, budgeting, and chargeback/show back models while delivering actionable cost insights to leadership.
• Provide technical leadership and architectural guidance for cost-efficient cloud solutions, driving platform optimization, standardization, and best practices.
• Build, deliver, and maintain scalable cloud data platforms, ensuring high availability, performance, and observability through effective monitoring and alerting.
• Establish operational standards, automation frameworks, and continuous improvement processes to enhance system reliability, efficiency, and engineering productivity.
• Ensure compliance with IT governance and security standards while managing vendor relationships, monitoring SLAs/KPIs, and driving continuous service improvement.

At Marriott International, we are dedicated to being an equal opportunity employer, welcoming all and providing access to opportunity. We actively foster an environment where the unique backgrounds of our associates are valued and celebrated. Our greatest strength lies in the rich blend of culture, talent, and experiences of our associates.  We are committed to non-discrimination on any protected basis, including disability, veteran status, or other basis protected by applicable law.

All positions offer a 401(k) plan, stock purchase plan, discounts at Marriott properties, commuter benefits, employee assistance plan, and childcare discounts. Benefits are subject to terms and conditions, which may include rules regarding eligibility, enrollment, waiting period, contribution, benefit limits, election changes, benefit exclusions, and others. Click here to learn more.

Full-time positions also offer coverage for medical, dental, vision, health care flexible spending account, dependent care flexible spending account, life insurance, disability insurance, accident insurance, adoption expense reimbursements, paid parental leave and educational assistance.

Washington Applicants Only: Employees will accrue paid sick leave, 0.077 PTO balance for every hour worked and be eligible to receive a minimum of 9 holidays annually.

Marriott HQ is committed to a hybrid work environment that enables associates to Be connected. Headquarters-based positions are considered hybrid, for candidates within a commuting distance to Bethesda, MD; candidates outside of commuting distance to Bethesda, MD will be considered for Remote positions.

Marriott International is the world’s largest hotel company, with more brands, more hotels and more opportunities for associates to grow and succeed. Be where you can do your best work,​ begin your purpose, belong to an amazing global​ team, and become the best version of you.