Senior Data Engineer

Role Description

Shape the data platform powering analytics, machine learning, Generative AI, and Agentic AI for millions of customers and internal teams.

• Build scalable, cloud-native data infrastructure across batch, streaming, structured, and unstructured workloads using modern engineering best practices.
• Partner with Data Science, Machine Learning, Product, and Engineering leaders to deliver AI-ready data products that accelerate innovation across the business.
• Influence the future of Zip's Data & AI Platform by driving architecture, mentoring engineers, and establishing the foundations for enterprise-scale AI.
• Remote-first opportunity for US-based employees with the option to work in-person out of our Manhattan office.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience designing, building, and operating enterprise-scale data platforms.
• Deep expertise with modern cloud data platforms such as Snowflake, Databricks, Microsoft Fabric, BigQuery, Redshift, or similar technologies.
• Advanced SQL and Python skills with strong experience in data modeling, ELT/ETL development, dbt, and orchestration frameworks such as Airflow, Dagster, or equivalent.
• Experience building scalable streaming and event-driven architectures using technologies such as Kafka, Azure Event Hubs, Spark, or similar platforms.
• Strong understanding of modern data architecture patterns, including dimensional modeling, semantic layers, data governance, metadata management, and platform observability.
• Experience supporting AI and machine learning workloads through AI-ready data models, vector search, metadata enrichment, Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), and knowledge retrieval systems.
• Experience with modern lakehouse technologies and open table formats such as Apache Iceberg, Delta Lake, or similar technologies.
• Hands-on experience with cloud platforms (Azure preferred; AWS or GCP also acceptable).
• Strong engineering mindset with experience in testing, CI/CD, infrastructure automation, and operational excellence.
• Proven ability to lead technical initiatives, mentor engineers, and collaborate effectively across technical and business teams.
• Strong sense of ownership and accountability for data accuracy, consistency, reliability, and quality.

Requirements

• Design, build, and scale Zip’s enterprise Data & AI Platform supporting analytics, machine learning, Generative AI, and Agentic AI initiatives.
• Develop scalable data pipelines and architectures for structured, unstructured, batch, and real-time data workloads.
• Build AI-ready data products, semantic models, and retrieval capabilities that enable intelligent agents and AI-powered applications.
• Design and optimize vector search, hybrid search, and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) capabilities to improve AI effectiveness and user experiences.
• Implement streaming and event-driven solutions that support near real-time business insights, operational intelligence, fraud detection, and risk monitoring.
• Establish engineering best practices for data modeling, testing, observability, governance, security, and platform reliability.
• Drive self-service and automation capabilities that improve developer productivity and accelerate time-to-insight.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to deliver trusted, high-quality data solutions that support critical business and AI initiatives.
• Mentor engineers, influence architecture decisions, and help define the future direction of Zip’s data platform.

Benefits

• Flexible working culture
• Incentive programs
• Unlimited PTO
• Generous paid parental leave
• Leading family support policies
• Company-sponsored 401k match
• Learning and wellness subscription stipend
• Beautiful Union Square office with a casual dress code
• Industry-leading, employer-sponsored insurance for you and your dependents, with several 100% Zip-covered choices available
• Transparent pay structure with an annual base Pay Range of $134,000 - $168,000