Lead Data Engineer - Experimentation

Description:
Hybrid 4 Days a week on-site in Santa Monica, CA

Our client seeks a hands-on Lead Data Engineer to build and scale experimentation data foundations that power product decisions across major streaming products. The role requires strong SQL, Python, Databricks, data modeling, and streaming expertise. The engineer will design and maintain batch and real-time pipelines, implement data quality and governance, and partner with cross-functional teams. The team values proactive communication, adaptability, and openness to AI tools and automation.

Due to client requirements, applicants must be willing and able to work on a w2 basis. For our w2 consultants, we offer a great benefits package that includes Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits, 401k with company matching, and life insurance.

Rate: $83.00 to $93.00/hr. w2

JN -40

Responsibilities:

• Design, develop, and maintain data infrastructure supporting A/B testing, feature launches, geo experiments, and product analytics.
• Build reusable frameworks and datasets to enable rapid, reliable experiment launch and measurement.
• Develop and operate large-scale batch and streaming pipelines using Spark, Kafka, and Databricks.
• Design scalable data models and data products for analytics, experimentation, and machine learning use cases.
• Implement monitoring, testing, validation, lineage, and governance frameworks to ensure trustworthy data.
• Partner with Product, Engineering, Data Science, and Business stakeholders to deliver scalable solutions.
• Influence architectural decisions and drive engineering best practices across teams.
• Mentor engineers and promote a culture of quality, innovation, and experimentation.

Experience Requirements:

• 7+ years of data engineering with large-scale data platforms.
• Strong Python and SQL development skills.
• Expert-level Databricks and distributed processing experience.
• Deep knowledge of data modeling, ETL/ELT design, and data architecture.
• Experience with batch and real-time streaming data pipelines, including Kafka and Spark Structured Streaming.
• Background in cloud-based data platforms and data warehousing or lakehouse technologies.
• Hands-on experience with experimentation, A/B testing, product analytics, or analytics data platforms.
• Strong understanding of data quality, testing, governance, monitoring, and observability.
• Proven experience leading technical initiatives and partnering with cross-functional teams.
• Excellent communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Nice to have: causal inference, statistical testing frameworks, ML data pipelines, feature engineering, CI/CD and infrastructure automation, media or subscription domains, and exposure to AI or agent-based solutions.

Recruitment Transparency Notice

Eliassen Group values transparency in our recruitment practices. Please be advised that Eliassen Group utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) tools as part of its initial application screening and hiring process. You may receive email and SMS notifications from the Eliassen Virtual Recruiting Team ( , ) inviting you to complete a brief voice screening as part of your application process. These tools assist our hiring teams in different ways, including but not limited to, assistance in reviewing application materials to help identify candidates whose qualifications most closely match the requirements of the position. All AI-assisted evaluations and responses are reviewed by human recruiters before any hiring decisions are made. The use of AI in our process is intended to support fairness, efficiency, and consistency, and Eliassen Group takes measures to prevent bias or discrimination in connection with its hiring practices. By proceeding, you acknowledge, agree, and consent to Eliassen Group's use of these tools, including AI tools, as part of the application and hiring process.

Skills, experience, and other compensable factors will be considered when determining pay rate. The pay range provided in this posting reflects a W2 hourly rate; other employment options may be available that may result in pay outside of the provided range.

W2 employees of Eliassen Group who are regularly scheduled to work 30 or more hours per week are eligible for the following benefits: medical (choice of 3 plans), dental, vision, pre-tax accounts, other voluntary benefits including life and disability insurance, 401(k) with match, and sick time if required by law in the worked-in state/locality.
If anyone reaches out to you about an open position connected with Eliassen Group, please ensure that you are working directly with us by confirming the following:

When you work with Eliassen Group, all email communication will come from an Eliassen.com address, never Gmail, Yahoo, etc.

Eliassen Group will never ask you for personal information (home address, bank account, or check routing number) until you have worked with someone clearly associated with Eliassen Group.

If you have any indication of fraudulent activity, please contact .

About Eliassen Group:

Eliassen Group is a strategic consulting firm that helps organizations reach further and achieve more through our technology, business advisory, and life sciences solutions. For nearly 40 years, we have combined exceptional people, deep domain expertise, and intelligent capabilities to expand our clients' capacity and accelerate meaningful outcomes. We are driven by a purpose to positively impact the lives of our employees, clients, consultants, and the communities we serve.

Eliassen is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team from a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We are an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer and all employment decisions are based on merit, performance, and business needs. Eliassen does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender identity or expression, sexual preference or orientation, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), marital status, creed, religion, physical or mental disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, age, ancestry, national origin, citizenship status, prohibited criminal record inquiries of applicants and employees, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Don't miss out on our referral program! If we hire a candidate that you refer us to then you can be eligible for a $1,000 referral check!