Data Specialist Jobs in South Dakota
Data Specialist jobs in South Dakota concentrate heavily in healthcare, financial services, agriculture technology, and state government, with demand steady from Sioux Falls and Rapid City down to Pierre. Employers such as Sanford Health, Citibank, and South Dakota state agencies are among the most consistent hirers of data specialists in the region. The most in-demand specialties include data governance, healthcare informatics, and database administration. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 14+ Data Specialist jobs
We’re building a world of health around every individual — shaping a more connected, convenient and compassionate health experience. At CVS Health®, you’ll be surrounded by passionate colleagues who care deeply, innovate with purpose, hold ourselves accountable and prioritize safety and quality in everything we do. Join us and be part of something bigger – helping to simplify health care one person, one family and one community at a time.
Position Summary
The Lead Director, AI Network & Data Center Engineering is responsible for leading the strategy, design, and delivery of the organization’s network infrastructure supporting enterprise applications and next-generation AI/ML workloads. This role oversees the development of high‑performance, low‑latency data center and cloud networking capabilities that enable large-scale GPU environments, advanced data processing, and modern application platforms. By establishing architectural standards, driving consistent execution, and ensuring secure, resilient connectivity, this position plays a critical role in supporting the organization’s most demanding technology initiatives.
This leader is accountable for building and guiding a high-performing team of network and data center engineers, while aligning infrastructure capabilities to evolving business and security needs. Working closely with cloud, platform, and cybersecurity leadership, the role drives adoption of modern architectures, automation, and performance optimization practices to improve reliability, scalability, and efficiency. Through strong strategic direction and operational leadership, the Lead Director ensures the network function can support long-term growth, increasing AI demand, and enterprise-wide digital transformation.
Role Responsibilities:
Development & Enforcement
- Define and enforce network architecture standards, security controls, and compliance policies
- Establish best practices for configuration, deployment, and operations
- Ensure alignment with enterprise governance frameworks (HIPAA, NIST, PCI, HITRUST, CSA)
Collaboration & Expertise
- Advise executives on network strategy, roadmaps, emerging technologies, and industry trends
- Partner with cross-functional teams (platform, cloud, security, infrastructure) to deliver integrated, secure and scalable solutions
- Engage vendors on solution architectures, design, contracts, and delivery
Analysis & Configuration
- Design and implement:
- Data center fabrics (leaf-spine, Clos, EVPN/VXLAN)
- AI/GPU-optimized networking (low latency, high throughput) and related technologies
- Optimize performance for GPU workloads (RDMA, RoCE, ECN, PFC)
- GCP and multi-cloud network architectures
- Routing & switching (BGP, OSPF, MPLS, STP; Cisco, Juniper, Arista)
- High-speed networking (100/200/400Gb+)
- GPU cluster networking, traffic optimization, and congestion management
- Drive network monitoring and performance optimization (SolarWinds, NetFlow, Wireshark)
- Support SaaS and multi-tenant environments with zero trust patterns
Operational Support
- Oversee 24/7 network operations across cloud and data centers
- Lead incident response and ensure high availability, resiliency and scalability across network and cloud environments
Mentorship & Training
- Build and mentor high-performing engineering teams
- Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning
Innovation and Research
- Advance networking capabilities for:
- AI/ML infrastructure and GPU clusters (NVIDIA architectures)
- High-performance networking (RoCE, PFC, ECN)
- Champion automation and Infrastructure as Code (IaC)
- Contribute to industry and open-source initiatives
Strategic Planning
- Own network architecture strategy and roadmap
- Define standards for AI, cloud, and data center environments
- Support budgeting, risk management, and long-term planning
Required Qualifications
- 10+ years’ experience in network and/or data center engineering
- 5+ years’ experience in a strategic leadership position with people management
- 5+ years’ experience in large scale enterprise environments
Preferred Qualifications
- Strong expertise in large-scale data center design, security, and high availability
- Advanced problem-solving, execution, and stakeholder management skills
- Experience with AI factory / GPU cluster environments at scale
- Enterprise networking, Cisco Nexus/ACI or similar platforms
- Network automation / IaC, SDN, service mesh, and cloud-native security frameworks
- High availability/disaster recovery design and cyber resilience
- Certifications: CCIE/CCNP, PCNSE, CISSP, Cloud networking
Education
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience (High School Diploma and 4 years relevant experience)
Pay Range
The typical pay range for this role is:
$144,200.00 - $288,400.00
This pay range represents the base hourly rate or base annual full-time salary for all positions in the job grade within which this position falls. The actual base salary offer will depend on a variety of factors including experience, education, geography and other relevant factors. This position is eligible for a CVS Health bonus, commission or short-term incentive program in addition to the base pay range listed above. This position also includes an award target in the company’s equity award program.
Our people fuel our future. Our teams reflect the customers, patients, members and communities we serve and we are committed to fostering a workplace where every colleague feels valued and that they belong.
Great benefits for great people
We take pride in offering a comprehensive and competitive mix of pay and benefits that reflects our commitment to our colleagues and their families.
This full‑time position is eligible for a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the physical, emotional, and financial well‑being of colleagues and their families. The benefits for this position include medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, retirement savings options, wellness programs, and other resources, based on eligibility.
Additional details about available benefits are provided during the application process and on Benefits Moments.
We anticipate the application window for this opening will close on: 07/07/2026
Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with all federal, state and local laws.
We’re building a world of health around every individual — shaping a more connected, convenient and compassionate health experience. At CVS Health®, you’ll be surrounded by passionate colleagues who care deeply, innovate with purpose, hold ourselves accountable and prioritize safety and quality in everything we do. Join us and be part of something bigger – helping to simplify health care one person, one family and one community at a time.
Position Summary
The Lead Director, AI Network & Data Center Engineering is responsible for leading the strategy, design, and delivery of the organization’s network infrastructure supporting enterprise applications and next-generation AI/ML workloads. This role oversees the development of high‑performance, low‑latency data center and cloud networking capabilities that enable large-scale GPU environments, advanced data processing, and modern application platforms. By establishing architectural standards, driving consistent execution, and ensuring secure, resilient connectivity, this position plays a critical role in supporting the organization’s most demanding technology initiatives.
This leader is accountable for building and guiding a high-performing team of network and data center engineers, while aligning infrastructure capabilities to evolving business and security needs. Working closely with cloud, platform, and cybersecurity leadership, the role drives adoption of modern architectures, automation, and performance optimization practices to improve reliability, scalability, and efficiency. Through strong strategic direction and operational leadership, the Lead Director ensures the network function can support long-term growth, increasing AI demand, and enterprise-wide digital transformation.
Role Responsibilities:
Development & Enforcement
- Define and enforce network architecture standards, security controls, and compliance policies
- Establish best practices for configuration, deployment, and operations
- Ensure alignment with enterprise governance frameworks (HIPAA, NIST, PCI, HITRUST, CSA)
Collaboration & Expertise
- Advise executives on network strategy, roadmaps, emerging technologies, and industry trends
- Partner with cross-functional teams (platform, cloud, security, infrastructure) to deliver integrated, secure and scalable solutions
- Engage vendors on solution architectures, design, contracts, and delivery
Analysis & Configuration
- Design and implement:
- Data center fabrics (leaf-spine, Clos, EVPN/VXLAN)
- AI/GPU-optimized networking (low latency, high throughput) and related technologies
- Optimize performance for GPU workloads (RDMA, RoCE, ECN, PFC)
- GCP and multi-cloud network architectures
- Routing & switching (BGP, OSPF, MPLS, STP; Cisco, Juniper, Arista)
- High-speed networking (100/200/400Gb+)
- GPU cluster networking, traffic optimization, and congestion management
- Drive network monitoring and performance optimization (SolarWinds, NetFlow, Wireshark)
- Support SaaS and multi-tenant environments with zero trust patterns
Operational Support
- Oversee 24/7 network operations across cloud and data centers
- Lead incident response and ensure high availability, resiliency and scalability across network and cloud environments
Mentorship & Training
- Build and mentor high-performing engineering teams
- Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning
Innovation and Research
- Advance networking capabilities for:
- AI/ML infrastructure and GPU clusters (NVIDIA architectures)
- High-performance networking (RoCE, PFC, ECN)
- Champion automation and Infrastructure as Code (IaC)
- Contribute to industry and open-source initiatives
Strategic Planning
- Own network architecture strategy and roadmap
- Define standards for AI, cloud, and data center environments
- Support budgeting, risk management, and long-term planning
Required Qualifications
- 10+ years’ experience in network and/or data center engineering
- 5+ years’ experience in a strategic leadership position with people management
- 5+ years’ experience in large scale enterprise environments
Preferred Qualifications
- Strong expertise in large-scale data center design, security, and high availability
- Advanced problem-solving, execution, and stakeholder management skills
- Experience with AI factory / GPU cluster environments at scale
- Enterprise networking, Cisco Nexus/ACI or similar platforms
- Network automation / IaC, SDN, service mesh, and cloud-native security frameworks
- High availability/disaster recovery design and cyber resilience
- Certifications: CCIE/CCNP, PCNSE, CISSP, Cloud networking
Education
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience (High School Diploma and 4 years relevant experience)
Pay Range
The typical pay range for this role is:
$144,200.00 - $288,400.00
This pay range represents the base hourly rate or base annual full-time salary for all positions in the job grade within which this position falls. The actual base salary offer will depend on a variety of factors including experience, education, geography and other relevant factors. This position is eligible for a CVS Health bonus, commission or short-term incentive program in addition to the base pay range listed above. This position also includes an award target in the company’s equity award program.
Our people fuel our future. Our teams reflect the customers, patients, members and communities we serve and we are committed to fostering a workplace where every colleague feels valued and that they belong.
Great benefits for great people
We take pride in offering a comprehensive and competitive mix of pay and benefits that reflects our commitment to our colleagues and their families.
This full‑time position is eligible for a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the physical, emotional, and financial well‑being of colleagues and their families. The benefits for this position include medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid time off, retirement savings options, wellness programs, and other resources, based on eligibility.
Additional details about available benefits are provided during the application process and on Benefits Moments.
We anticipate the application window for this opening will close on: 07/07/2026
Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with all federal, state and local laws.
See All 14 Data Specialist Jobs in South Dakota
Find roles in South Dakota that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Data Specialist JobsData Specialist Jobs by City in South Dakota
Where South Dakota roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Data Specialist Job Market in South Dakota
A snapshot from current South Dakota openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- The Bancorp6
- Mars1
- Pathward1
- CVS Health1
- Ryder System1
Top Industries Hiring
- Banking & Financial Services7
- Government & Public Sector1
- Healthcare & Medical Services1
What South Dakota Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in data specialist jobs across South Dakota.
- Bachelor's degree in data science, computer science, information systems, or a related field
- Proficiency in SQL for querying and managing structured datasets
- Experience with data visualization tools such as Tableau or Power BI
- Familiarity with Python, R, or another scripting language for data analysis
- Ability to document data workflows and maintain data quality standards
- Strong communication skills for presenting findings to non-technical stakeholders
Data Specialist Jobs in South Dakota: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a data specialist in South Dakota?
Most data specialist roles in South Dakota require a bachelor's degree in data science, information systems, computer science, or a related analytical field. There is no state-issued license specific to data specialists in South Dakota. Employers in healthcare and government often prefer candidates with domain-specific credentials such as a Certified Health Data Analyst designation. Building a portfolio of SQL projects or data dashboards strengthens applications considerably.
Which companies hire data specialists in South Dakota?
Employers hiring data specialists in South Dakota right now include The Bancorp, Mars, and Pathward, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. South Dakota's financial services sector, anchored in Sioux Falls, and its large regional health systems generate particularly consistent demand for data professionals.
Which South Dakota cities have the most data specialist jobs?
Sioux Falls, Pierre, and Rapid City have the most data specialist openings in South Dakota. Sioux Falls leads because of its concentration of large financial institutions, health systems, and technology employers, while Rapid City and Pierre draw demand from regional healthcare networks and state government agencies that manage substantial administrative and public data.
Are there remote data specialist jobs in South Dakota?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 86% of data specialist openings tied to South Dakota are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, reflecting the desk-based and analytical nature of the work. Roles focused on database management, reporting, and business intelligence tend to be the most commonly offered as fully remote positions.
How can I get hired as a data specialist in South Dakota with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for junior data analyst or data technician roles at South Dakota's large healthcare organizations and financial institutions, where entry-level positions often require only a degree and foundational SQL skills. Sanford Health and state government agencies in Pierre occasionally post associate-level data or reporting roles. A strong portfolio of self-built dashboards or a data analytics certification gives candidates a clear edge over other applicants without direct work history.
Where can I find and apply to data specialist jobs in South Dakota?
You can find and apply to data specialist jobs in South Dakota on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the listings for roles that match your experience level and specialization, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 14 Data Specialist Jobs in South Dakota
Find roles in South Dakota that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Data Specialist Jobs