Lead Data Engineer

Lead Data EngineerThe Lead Data Engineer owns the Navanta data backbone — public Call Report data in the early build, and secure ingestion from bank cores into lakehouses as each client's on-premises environment is stood up. Working under the SVP of Technology and Commercial AI and in close partnership with the AI/ML, security, and platform teams, this role builds the architecturally clean, well-modeled, reconcilable data foundation that makes it possible for the Navanta AI platforms to give numbers a banker will act on.ResponsibilitiesDesign the lakehouse: Apache Iceberg (or similar technology) on object storage, a catalog for table management and per-bank isolation, dbt models, and a query engineBuild secure, least-privilege ingestion from bank systems — log-based CDC where permitted, with query-based and batch/SFTP fallbacks, plus an in-bank collector patternOwn data modeling for the semantic and metric layer (deposits, concentration, uninsured exposure, asset quality, and peer groups)Handle schema drift, data quality, and reconciliation; make ingestion observable and recoverablePartner with the AI/ML team on the structured-query path and with Security on PII classification at landing, in alignment with regulatory data-handling requirementsDocument data lineage, transformation logic, and access controls to support audit and exam readinessDefine and enforce data contracts, quality thresholds, and alerting for pipeline failuresEnd-to-end ownership of ingestion-through-serving pipelines, with a bias toward reliability and observabilityRigorous data modeling for analytics — semantic layers, metric definitions, and reconcilable outputsSecurity and compliance mindset: PII handling, least-privilege access, and data governance aligned to regulatory guidanceCross-functional partnership with AI/ML and platform engineering to deliver governed, queryable data productsData freshness and pipeline reliability — SLAs met for data ingestion and bank-core feedsData quality score across key metrics versus source reconciliationTime to onboard a new bank's data environment, from kickoff to queryable lakehousePII classification coverage at landing and zero unauthorized data-access incidentsSemantic layer adoption — percentage of assistant queries resolved via governed metrics versus ad hoc SQLQualificationsTo perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.8–12+ years in data engineering with end-to-end ownership of ingestion through serving, and 2+ years in a lead or senior roleStrong Python and expert SQL; rigorous data modeling for analyticsHands-on lakehouse experience (Iceberg/Delta/Hudi or equivalent) and modern transformation toolingBuilt reliable pipelines from messy operational and transactional source systemsComfort with CDC mechanics and the realities of pulling from databases you do not controlLanguages: Python, SQL (deep)Lakehouse & catalog: Apache Iceberg; Polaris / Nessie / LakekeeperTransform & query: dbt; Trino / Presto / DuckDBCDC & streaming: Debezium (SQL Server CDC, Postgres logical replication), Kafka / RedpandaOrchestration: Dagster (or Airflow)Storage: S3 / MinIOSQL Server and PostgreSQL data modeling, pgvector (or equivalent)Experience with financial or core-banking data, or FFIEC / Call Report data specificallyStrong SQL Server familiarityData contracts, lineage, and governance practicesEducation and/or ExperienceBachelor's degree in computer science, mathematics, information systems, or a related field, or equivalent hands-on experienceExperience in the financial services industry or a regulated data environment strongly preferredFull-time role combining ongoing pipeline operations with initiative-based lakehouse build-out and new bank onboardingClose collaboration with AI/ML, platform engineering, and security teams; on-call rotation covering data pipeline reliabilityPhysical DemandsWhile performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and use hands to finger, handle, or touch objects, tools, or controls. The employee frequently is required to talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, usually waist high, up to 50 feet away. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.Work EnvironmentTypical office environmentUp to 20% travel time may be requiredNavanta is the trusted technology and services partner for community financial institutions, unifying critical systems, security, cloud infrastructure, and support into one seamless, purpose built experience. With more than 35 years of banking expertise — from Managed IT to Core Banking, CRM, and Advisory Services — Navanta helps institutions simplify complexity, reduce risk, and strengthen daily operations. Navanta empowers community bankers and their people to thrive together. Go Bankers, Go.™