SAS to Python / R Migration Architect

Job Description

The SAS to Python/R Migration Architect is responsible for end-to-end strategy, design, and governance of large-scale analytical and statistical code migrations from SAS to modern open-source ecosystems (Python and R). This role focuses on assessment, architecture, standards, risk management, and validation, working closely with stakeholders and development teams to ensure accuracy, performance, and regulatory fidelity.

This is a hands-on technical leadership role, not just documentation or oversight.

Key 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

Requirements

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 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

Nice to Have

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

Permanent