Senior Data Engineer

*This is an on-site/hybrid role, based out of Sydney. It is not open to overseas applications. *

About the Role:

The Senior Data Engineer is responsible for the design, development, testing, maintenance, and documentation of data pipelines and data platforms in accordance with client requirements, system specifications, and defined technical architecture.

The role undertakes analysis of system requirements and evaluates existing data systems, identifying limitations and deficiencies in processes and methods. The position is accountable for the full lifecycle of data solutions, including requirements gathering, design, implementation, testing, deployment, and ongoing production support.

 Key Responsibilities:

Data Architecture & Design

• Analyse and evaluate client data system requirements
• Design data architectures, including lakehouse and medallion patterns
• Define data models, schema structures, partitioning strategies, and storage layouts
• Develop solutions primarily using Databricks within AWS, Azure, and GCP environments

Data Pipeline Development

• Design, develop, and maintain data pipeline code using Python, Scala, and SQL
• Implement data ingestion, transformation, and delivery processes in accordance with system specifications
• Test, debug, and resolve defects in line with established standards and protocols

Data Quality & Governance

• Develop and implement data quality frameworks, validation processes, and monitoring mechanisms
• Ensure data platforms operate in accordance with defined specifications and governance requirements
• Prepare and maintain technical documentation and operational procedures

Infrastructure & Platform Engineering

• Develop and manage infrastructure using Infrastructure as Code tools (e.g. Terraform, CDK, CloudFormation)
• Maintain version-controlled infrastructure definitions
• Support CI/CD processes for automated deployment of data systems
• Design and implement integrations with enterprise systems, including identity, security, and compliance frameworks

System Integration and Improvement

• Identify and assess limitations in existing systems and platforms
• Design and implement solutions to address integration, performance, and scalability requirements

Technical Strategy & Advisory

• Provide technical input into data system design, platform selection, and architecture decisions
• Contribute to the development of proposals, including cost estimation and financial evaluation of technology options

Client Enablement and Knowledge Transfer

• Work collaboratively with client teams to support implementation and operation of data platforms
• Develop and maintain documentation to support ongoing system use and maintenance
• Facilitate knowledge transfer to enable client self-sufficiency

Multi-Cloud Capability

The role operates across multi-cloud environments and requires the design of data systems that are portable and scalable. Platforms include:

• AWS: Databricks, S3, Glue, Lambda, EventBridge, Redshift, IAM, VPC, KMS
• Azure: Databricks, ADLS Gen2, Synapse, Data Factory, Event Hubs, Key Vault, Entra ID, ExpressRoute
• GCP: Databricks, GCS, BigQuery, Dataflow, Pub/Sub, IAM, VPC

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Software Engineering, or a related discipline
• OR at least 5 years’ relevant professional experience with appropriate vendor certifications
• Databricks Data Engineer Associate –or- Data Engineer Professional certification
• Demonstrated experience delivering and maintaining production data systems
• Experience with Databricks in a production environment, including Delta Lake and Unity Catalog
• Proficiency in SQL and Python or Scala
• Experience in designing and implementing data quality and validation frameworks
• Demonstrated ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders
• Strong software engineering practices, including testing, version control (Git), and CI/CD
• Experience with Infrastructure as Code tools (e.g. Terraform, CloudFormation)
• Understanding of distributed systems and data pipeline design
• Ability to produce clear and comprehensive technical documentation

Bonus Points

• Experience working with Databricks across multiple cloud platforms, along with Genie Spaces experience
• Experience with real-time or streaming data systems (e.g. Kafka)
• Knowledge of data governance, privacy, and compliance frameworks (e.g. APRA CPG 234)
• Exposure to machine learning infrastructure and pipelines
• Background in platform engineering or Site Reliability Engineering
• Cloud platform certifications (AWS, Azure, or GCP)
• Experience contributing to technical knowledge sharing or capability development within teams