Marissa Loya

Data Engineer | Python | SQL | Cloud Platforms | Analytics

Virginia Beach, Virginia

Education

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

| Old Dominion University

Skills

  • Programming Languages: Python, SQL, C++, Java, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, Bash/Shell Scripting
  • Data Engineering Tools: BigQuery, Looker, Apache Airflow, Apache Spark
  • Databases: PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB, DynamoDB
  • Cloud Platforms: AWS (S3, Lambda, Glue, Redshift), GCP (BigQuery, Dataflow)
  • DevOps: Git, GitHub, CI/CD Pipelines, Docker, Kubernetes
  • Data Visualization: Looker Studio, Tableau, Power BI, Excel

Experience

Data Engineer

| Cruise

January 2023 - December 2024

  • Architected and maintained high-performance ETL pipelines using Python, SQL, and BigQuery, processing multi-terabyte datasets and reducing query execution times by 50%.
  • Designed and implemented real-time dashboards in Looker Studio, reducing reporting time by 60% and providing stakeholders with actionable insights for AV system performance.
  • Developed complex SQL transformations leveraging window functions, CTEs, and optimization techniques to establish data validation framework.
  • Conducted root cause analysis on data inconsistencies, implementing validation frameworks that reduced system errors by 25% and improved pipeline reliability.
  • Partnered with cross-functional teams (engineering, data science, and operations) to streamline data workflows, enhancing data accuracy, availability, and overall AV safety metrics.
  • Utilized CI/CD automation for deploying and monitoring pipelines, increasing operational efficiency and reducing deployment risks.

Data Science Intern

| Jefferson Science Associates

July 2019 - December 2022

  • Engineered SQL-based data migration from Excel to Microsoft Access, improving query performance by 50% and ensuring data consistency.
  • Developed custom SQL scripts to optimize data storage and retrieval, ensuring 100% compliance with reporting standards.
  • Automated data processing workflows, reducing manual report generation time by 35% and supporting real-time decision-making.
  • Created data visualization reports in Excel and Power BI, improving insights into research metrics and enhancing efficiency in data interpretation.

Banking Operations Analyst

| BB&T (Now Truist)

July 2018 - July 2019

  • Analyzed financial transaction data using SQL, identifying anomalies and ensuring regulatory compliance with banking standards.
  • Developed automated reports that improved operational oversight, reducing manual processing errors by 20%.
  • Collaborated with risk management teams to enhance fraud detection processes, leading to improved security measures.
  • Provided data-driven insights to support audits, increasing reporting efficiency and compliance adherence.

Data Insights Analyst / Technical Support Specialist

| Apple

October 2017 - July 2018

  • Analyzed and optimized sales data to identify trends, increasing product conversion rates and enhancing customer engagement.
  • Developed data-driven insights for business strategies, leading to improved decision-making across sales and support teams.
  • Provided technical support and troubleshooting for Apple customers, resolving complex technical issues efficiently.
  • Automated reporting processes to track key performance indicators, reducing manual effort and improving operational oversight.
  • Analyzed sales data to identify trends, optimizing customer experience and product conversion rates.
  • Delivered technical solutions and data insights to improve workflow efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Projects

ETL Pipeline for Reddit Data

| Personal Learning Project

reddit-data-engineering GitHub Repo

  • Designed and deployed an end-to-end ETL pipeline extracting data from Reddit API, transforming it with Python & AWS Glue, and loading it into AWS S3 for querying with AWS Athena.
  • Configured a local development environment with Docker, Apache Airflow, Redis, and PostgreSQL to streamline data ingestion and orchestration.
  • Applied best practices for big data workflows, handling API rate limits, optimizing transformations, and ensuring efficient storage in AWS.
  • The purpose of this project was to sharpen my skills and explore new tools in data engineering.

Resume Website

| Personal Project

resume-website GitHub Repo

  • Developed a professional resume website to showcase projects, technical skills, and work experience in an interactive format.
  • Built using Python, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript, creating a responsive and visually appealing design.
  • Deployed on Render, utilizing cloud-based hosting for reliability and fast load times..
  • Integrated analytics tracking to monitor visitor engagement and optimize user experience.

Interests & Causes

  • Committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion, actively supporting movements that advocate for racial justice, LGBTQIA+ rights, and social equity in both professional and personal spaces.
  • Advocate for animal welfare, supporting rescue organizations and ethical treatment initiatives.
  • Deeply invested in continuous learning, particularly in data engineering, AI, and emerging technologies. Always exploring new advancements in the field.
  • Enjoys solving complex puzzles, both in programming and strategy-based board games.
  • Avid reader, constantly exploring new ideas and perspectives through literature.
  • Enthusiastic about traveling and experiencing new cultures, broadening perspectives through global exploration.

Eligibility

U.S. Citizen

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Marissa Loya