Ignite IT · 2 weeks ago
SAS to Python / R Migration Architect
Suitland, MD
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
8+ years expIgnite IT is seeking a SAS to Python/R Migration Architect who will be responsible for the end-to-end strategy, design, and governance of large-scale analytical and statistical code migrations from SAS to modern open-source ecosystems. This hands-on technical leadership role involves working closely with stakeholders and development teams to ensure accuracy, performance, and regulatory fidelity during the migration process.
Information Technology & Services
Responsibilities
Lead enterprise-scale migrations from SAS (Base SAS, PROC SQL, STAT, ETS, MACRO, etc.) to Python and/or R
Perform detailed SAS estate assessments, including:
Code inventory and dependency mapping
Macro complexity analysis
Data access patterns (SAS datasets, DBs, flat files)
Statistical method equivalency analysis
Define target-state architecture for Python/R analytics platforms (libraries, frameworks, environments)
Establish migration patterns and standards, including:
SAS PROC → Python/R library mappings
Macro-to-function translation strategies
Reusable templates and shared components
Design validation and reconciliation frameworks to ensure:
Statistical equivalence
Numeric tolerances
Regulatory and audit compliance
Guide performance optimization strategies for large datasets
Identify automation opportunities (code scanners, translators, test harnesses)
Lead technical reviews and approve migrated code
Mentor developers and review complex conversions
Communicate migration risks, tradeoffs, and timelines to leadership
Qualification
Required
8+ years of advanced analytics or statistical programming experience
5+ years hands-on SAS development (Base SAS, PROC SQL, MACRO, STAT)
Proven experience architecting or leading SAS → Python and/or R migrations
Deep expertise in: Python (NumPy, Pandas, SciPy, statsmodels, scikit-learn) and/or R (tidyverse, data.table, caret, survival, forecast)
Strong understanding of statistical methods parity between SAS and open-source tools
Experience with data platforms (SQL databases, cloud storage, data lakes)
Familiarity with CI/CD, version control, and testing frameworks for analytics code
Preferred
Experience in regulated environments (government, healthcare, finance)
Prior work modernizing legacy analytics platforms
Exposure to cloud analytics stacks (AWS, Azure, GCP)
Experience designing automated validation frameworks
Benefits
401(k)
401(k) matching
Dental insurance
Flexible spending account
Health insurance
Life insurance
Paid time off
Professional development assistance
Referral program
Tuition reimbursement
Vision insurance
Company
Ignite IT
Ignite IT delivers customer-focused teams that bring a CX (Customer Experience) renaissance to our private and public sector clients.
201-500 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageLeadership Team
Avo Reid
Chief Strategy Officer
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