Lead Data Engineer


Saint Petersburg
USD150000 - USD150000
PR/568408_1767735970
Lead Data Engineer

Role Summary

We're looking for a seasoned engineer to lead the design, build, and optimization of data-centric applications and services. You'll own end-to-end delivery from solution design through deployment while mentoring a small team, elevating engineering practices, and ensuring our systems are scalable, reliable, and performant. The ideal candidate brings strong Oracle database expertise, hands-on Python/Spark experience, and a practical DevOps mindset (CI/CD, containers, cloud).

Key Responsibilities

  • Technical Leadership & Delivery: Drive solution design, work planning, and execution across the full SDLC; ensure high-quality releases and measurable outcomes.
  • Oracle Engineering: Design robust schemas and write efficient SQL/PL/SQL; implement indexes/partitioning; manage performance tuning and query optimization.
  • Performance & Reliability: Diagnose bottlenecks across application, database, and data pipelines; instrument, benchmark, and optimize for throughput and latency.
  • Data Engineering: Build scalable transformations using Python (pandas) and Spark/PySpark; develop resilient ETL/ELT workflows and data quality checks.
  • Application Development: Create maintainable Python services, libraries, and automation scripts; enforce clean architecture, testing, and code review practices.
  • CI/CD & DevOps: Implement build/test/deploy pipelines (e.g., Jenkins/GitHub Actions); manage containerized workloads (Docker/Kubernetes) and infrastructure-as-code where appropriate.
  • Mentorship & Collaboration: Coach junior engineers, set standards, and foster a culture of craftsmanship, accountability, and continuous improvement.
  • Documentation & Governance: Maintain clear technical documentation, design records, and runbooks; contribute to data modeling conventions and development guidelines.

Core Skills

  • Experience: 5+ years in software/data engineering with demonstrable impact in production environments.
  • Oracle & SQL Mastery: Advanced SQL/PL/SQL, schema design, indexing strategies, partitioning, query tuning, and database observability.
  • Python & Spark: Strong Python (including pandas) and practical Spark/PySpark for batch/stream processing and data transformation.
  • Data Modeling: Ability to design logical and physical models (3NF, dimensional/star schema), define entities/relationships, and optimize for analytics or OLTP.
  • CI/CD & Containers: Hands-on with modern pipelines and container orchestration (e.g., Jenkins/GitHub Actions, Docker, Kubernetes).
  • Performance Engineering: Systematic approach to profiling, benchmarking, and optimization across app/data layers.
  • Communication & Leadership: Clear written/verbal communication; proven collaboration and mentorship of junior team members.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Cloud Expertise: Experience with AWS/Azure/GCP services (e.g., object storage, managed databases, compute, IAM/networking basics).
  • Certifications (nice to have): Oracle Database, Python, Kubernetes/CKA/CKAD, or CI/CD tooling.
  • Ways of Working: Familiarity with Agile/Scrum, trunk-based development, and test automation.
  • Education: Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Information Systems, or equivalent practical experience.
  • Travel: Occasional-primarily for team or stakeholder workshops.

Locations:

  • Saint Petersburg, FL
  • Denver, CO
  • Memphis, TN
  • Southfield, MI

Please note that this firm is not able to sponsor now or in the future.

FAQs

Congratulations, we understand that taking the time to apply is a big step. When you apply, your details go directly to the consultant who is sourcing talent. Due to demand, we may not get back to all applicants that have applied. However, we always keep your CV and details on file so when we see similar roles or see skillsets that drive growth in organisations, we will always reach out to discuss opportunities.

Yes. Even if this role isn’t a perfect match, applying allows us to understand your expertise and ambitions, ensuring you're on our radar for the right opportunity when it arises.

We also work in several ways, firstly we advertise our roles available on our site, however, often due to confidentiality we may not post all. We also work with clients who are more focused on skills and understanding what is required to future-proof their business. 

That's why we recommend registering your CV so you can be considered for roles that have yet to be created. 

Yes, we help with CV and interview preparation. From customised support on how to optimise your CV to interview preparation and compensation negotiations, we advocate for you throughout your next career move.