Principal Data Engineer

Principal Data EngineerA global financial technology leader is hiring a Principal Data Engineer to join its hybrid engineering team in Waltham, MA. This full-time role focuses on designing and building enterprise-scale, real-time data platforms that power mission-critical financial applications.This is a highly visible technical leadership opportunity where you'll drive the architecture and modernization of next-generation streaming data platforms while mentoring engineers and influencing engineering standards across the organization. The team is looking for someone who thrives in complex distributed environments, enjoys solving large-scale performance challenges, and wants to build resilient, cloud-native systems using cutting-edge event streaming technologies.Required Skills & Experience· 8+ years of experience in data engineering, software engineering, or backend platform development · Expert-level Python development for data processing, automation, and scalable backend applications · Advanced SQL skills including complex query development, CTEs, window functions, performance tuning, and query optimization · Extensive experience designing and building scalable ETL/ELT pipelines and distributed data processing systems · Strong experience with cloud-native data platforms on AWS, including Redshift, S3, Lambda, Glue, and related services · Experience with Apache Kafka and event-driven data architectures · Experience building and orchestrating batch and streaming data pipelines using tools such as Airflow, Spark, or Flink · Strong knowledge of relational databases including PostgreSQL, Oracle, Amazon Redshift, and Aurora, with expertise in schema design and data modeling · Experience with containerization and Infrastructure as Code using Docker, Kubernetes, Terraform, or CloudFormation · Experience building CI/CD pipelines and implementing engineering best practices for production data platforms · Experience implementing monitoring, logging, data quality, and observability solutions across enterprise data environments · Proven ability to lead technical initiatives, mentor engineers, and collaborate across cross-functional engineering teamsWhat You Will Be Doing Tech Breakdown· 40% Real-Time Data Platform & Streaming Engineering · 30% Cloud Infrastructure, Microservices & Distributed Systems · 20% Architecture, Technical Leadership & Platform Modernization · 10% Observability, Performance Optimization & CI/CDDaily Responsibilities· 60% Hands On Engineering · 20% Technical Leadership & Mentorship · 20% Cross-Functional CollaborationThe OfferYou will receive the following benefits: · Medical Insurance · Dental Benefits · Vision Benefits · 401(k) with company match · Paid Time Off (PTO) · Paid Holidays · Paid Parental Leave · Professional Development Reimbursement · Hybrid Work EnvironmentApplicants must be currently authorized to work in the US on a full-time basis now and in the future.