Sr. Data Engineer

Hands-On Data ArchitectWe are seeking a hands-on Data Architect to personally design, build, and operationalize our enterprise data platform. This is an individual-contributor role for someone who can define strategy and execute it directly in a lean environment.Our organization is 100% cloud-based and Microsoft-centric, operating across a diverse portfolio of vendor-hosted applications. This role will unify those disparate data sources using Azure, Microsoft Fabric, Power Platform, Dataverse, and Azure SQL, laying the foundation for governed analytics, self-service reporting, and future AI initiatives.Strong candidates will have a practical mix of data engineering, analytics, and business application experience, with comfort working across both Microsoft/Azure tools and other modern data platforms. This position is ideal for a pragmatic architect who prefers owning outcomes end-to-end, rather than operating only at the conceptual or oversight level.Hands-On Architecture & DeliveryDesign and personally implement core components of the enterprise data architecture using Microsoft Fabric (Lakehouse, Warehouse, OneLake) and Azure data services.Build and maintain data ingestion and transformation pipelines, integrating data from multiple SaaS and vendor-hosted systems.Develop enterprise data models (conceptual, logical, physical) that directly support reporting and operational use cases.Enable analytics, build reports, and self-service reporting through Power BI, Power Platform, and Dataverse.Strong SQL skills, including data modeling, transformations, query optimization, and troubleshooting.Experience building reliable data pipelines using Python, APIs, cloud storage, and modern data integration tools.Familiarity with cloud data platforms such as Snowflake, Databricks, Azure SQL / Synapse / Fabric, BigQuery, Redshift, or similar environments.Experience working with structured and semi-structured data sources, including REST APIs, JSON, CSV, Excel, databases, and SaaS exports.Familiarity with data transformation, orchestration, and integration tools such as dbt, Airbyte, Fivetran, Dagster, Airflow, GitHub Actions, or similar platforms.Experience with Git-based development workflows and basic software engineering practices.Interest in AI-enabled analytics, automation, and internal tools, including practical use of AI coding assistants and LLM-based workflows.Reporting & Analytics EnablementExperience with business intelligence and reporting tools, especially Power BI, including data modeling, Power Query, DAX, dashboard development, and report performance tuning.Working familiarity with the Microsoft Power Platform, including Power Apps, Power Automate, and Dataverse.Design and implement analytics-ready data models specifically optimized for reporting and performance.Build and maintain Power BI datasets, semantic models, and shared data sources that support:Operational reportingFinancial and performance reportingExecutive dashboardsEnsure reports are sourced from governed, consistent datasets, reducing duplication and conflicting metrics.Partner directly with business users and analysts to understand reporting requirements and translate them into data models and reusable datasets.Improve report performance, reliability, and refresh stability through proper modeling, aggregation strategies, and Fabric/Azure SQL optimization.Enterprise Data StrategyDefine a practical, phased enterprise data strategy and roadmap aligned to business priorities.Establish architectural standards that balance scalability, cost, and usability.Translate business and operational needs into actionable data solutions—not just diagrams.Data Governance & QualityPersonally implement data governance practices, including:Data ownership and stewardship modelsData quality rules and monitoringMetadata, documentation, and lineage standardsEnsure data platforms meet security, access control, and compliance requirements in coordination with IT security.Collaboration & InfluencePartner closely with IT, Finance, Operations, and business leaders to ensure data solutions are usable and trusted.Act as the technical authority on enterprise data decisions.Provide light mentorship and guidance as data practices mature.What This Role Is — and Is NotThis role is:Hands-onArchitect + builderIndividual contributorOutcome-driven in a lean IT organizationThis role is not:A pure governance or policy roleA BI-only or reporting developer roleA role dependent on a large data engineering teamRequired Qualifications7+ years in data architecture, data engineering, or analytics architecture roles.Strong hands-on experience with:Microsoft FabricMicrosoft ExcelAzure SQLPower BIPower Platform / DataverseDatabricksPythonSnowflakeSynapseREST APIs,JSON,CSV,Excel,databases, andSaaS exportsExperience integrating data across multiple SaaS/vendor platforms.Proven ability to design and build cloud-native data architectures.Solid understanding of data governance implemented in real environments (not just frameworks).PreferredExperience with Microsoft Purview or similar governance tooling.Azure or Fabric certifications.Experience establishing data foundations in cloud-only organizations.Bachelor's degree in computer science, Data Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field.