Senior Data & Automation Engineer (IT Ops)

About the role

Job Description: Providing for loved ones, planning rewarding retirements, saving enough for whatever lies ahead - our policyholders count on us to be there when it matters most. It's a big ask, but it's one that we have the power to deliver when we work together. We collaborate and innovate - pushing one another to transform not just Pacific Life, but the entire industry for the better. Why? Because it's the right thing to do. Pacific Life is more than a job; it's a career with purpose. It's a career where you have the support, balance, and resources to make a positive impact on the future - including your own. We're actively seeking a talented Senior Data & Automation Engineer (IT Ops) to join our Infrastructure & End User Services team in Charlotte, NC. This role is based in our Charlotte, NC office with an in-office requirement of 4 days per week. In this role, you'll move Pacific Life - and your career - forward by building and operating automation, data, and AI‑enabled solutions that improve IT operations and the end‑user experience. You'll partner closely with cross‑functional IT teams to deliver secure, scalable, and production‑ready capabilities across the service lifecycle (request fulfillment, incident workflows, operational analytics, and continuous improvement). This role is ideal for someone who thrives as a self‑starter, is naturally curious about modern engineering practices, and enjoys translating real operational needs into measurable outcomes. How you'll help move us forward Automate IT Operations Workflows - Identify and implement automations that reduce manual effort and improve consistency across IT operations, including service request fulfillment, incident workflows, and operational processes supporting end users and infrastructure teams. Operational Data Engineering & Insight - Build and optimize data pipelines and analytical datasets from operational systems (e.g., service/ticketing platforms, endpoint/telemetry sources, knowledge bases), applying data quality checks and cost/performance optimization. AI‑Augmented Automation & Decision Support - Apply AI/ML concepts to enhance operational workflows and analytics (e.g., enrichment, classification, search, summarization, recommendations), incorporating evaluation practices and human‑in‑the‑loop feedback where appropriate. Manage Application Environments - Establish and maintain both non‑production and production environments, ensuring alignment with identity and access controls, data governance policies, and secure data‑handling standards. Deliver Reliable, Scalable Solutions - Design, build, and operate production‑grade applications and automation services with a strong focus on reliability, scalability, performance, and observability. Drive Continuous Improvement - Champion enhancements based on user feedback, operational metrics, and measurable outcomes; prioritize initiatives that improve productivity, reduce friction, and elevate end‑user experience. Collaborate Across Teams - Partner with cross‑functional stakeholders to translate objectives into technical roadmaps, clear requirements, and acceptance criteria. Maintain a transparent, outcome‑driven backlog. Ensure Compliance and Security - Uphold security, privacy, and regulatory standards by implementing guardrails, conducting reviews, and recommending updates over time. Document and Share Knowledge - Create and maintain documentation, runbooks, patterns, and reference architectures. Mentor team members and foster a culture of knowledge sharing. The experience you bring 5+ years of experience in IT development, automation engineering, data engineering/analytics engineering, application architecture, and/or applied AI/ML engineering. Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or equivalent professional experience. Hands‑on expertise with Python and SQL; working knowledge of AI/ML tools and MLOps practices. Proven track record of delivering applications and/or AI‑driven automations to production, including CI/CD, testing, observability, and reliability best practices. Advanced Data Analysis & Insight Extraction - Demonstrated ability to deeply analyze complex datasets, identify patterns and trends, and translate findings into clear, actionable insights that inform automation, optimization, and technical decision making. Strong problem‑solving and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate across teams and mentor peers effectively. What makes you stand out Automation focused - You reduce manual effort in IT operations through measurable workflow automation outcomes. Strategic and outcome‑oriented - You help shape technical direction and long‑term platform planning for IT and AI with a focus on delivering results. Proven AI leadership - Demonstrated success advancing AI technologies and driving measurable business impact. Collaborative and innovative - Passion for cross‑functional teamwork and fostering a culture of innovation and continuous lear