Senior Data Engineer

ABOUT THIS POSITIONWaystar is seeking a highly skilled Senior Data Engineer to join our Business Data & Architecture team and help advance our enterprise Data Modernization Program on Google Cloud Platform (GCP).This is a senior individual contributor role focused on designing, building, and optimizing scalable data solutions that enable analytics, reporting, governance, and AI initiatives across the enterprise. The ideal candidate is a hands-on engineer with deep technical expertise in cloud data platforms, data modeling, ELT development, and modern engineering practices.You will work across the full data lifecycle, from data ingestion and transformation to orchestration, quality, observability, and governance, helping deliver trusted and scalable data products that support business decision-making.WHAT YOU'LL DOData Pipeline Development & OptimizationDesign, build, and maintain scalable ELT pipelines into BigQuery using Fivetran, APIs, Python, and cloud-native servicesDevelop and optimize bronze, silver, and gold data layers following Medallion Architecture principlesCreate and maintain reusable dbt models that support enterprise reporting, analytics, and self-service use casesDesign and implement scalable ingestion patterns for structured and semi-structured dataTroubleshoot and resolve complex data pipeline, transformation, and performance issuesImprove pipeline reliability, performance, scalability, and maintainabilityData Modeling & Analytics EnablementDesign and implement scalable data models supporting business intelligence, analytics, and operational reportingPartner with business analysts, product owners, and stakeholders to understand and translate requirements into technical solutionsDevelop reusable business-focused datasets and metrics aligned with enterprise standardsSupport semantic modeling and reporting initiatives across business domainsContribute to the standardization of enterprise metrics and reporting assetsData Quality, Observability & ReliabilityImplement automated data validation, testing, and data quality checksDevelop monitoring, alerting, and observability capabilities across the data platformInvestigate and resolve data anomalies, processing issues, and performance bottlenecksSupport operational excellence through logging, incident analysis, and root cause investigationsEnsure data consistency, accuracy, and reliability across ingestion and transformation processesPlatform Engineering & AutomationDevelop and maintain orchestration workflows using Cloud Composer (Managed Airflow)Contribute to CI/CD pipelines using GitHub and modern deployment practicesSupport Infrastructure-as-Code initiatives using Terraform and platform automation toolsImprove engineering efficiency through automation, reusable components, and standard development patternsParticipate in platform optimization and modernization initiativesData Governance & SecuritySupport data classification, lineage, metadata management, and governance initiativesImplement secure access controls and data protection practices aligned with enterprise standardsPartner with Data Governance teams to improve data discoverability and trustEnsure compliance with regulatory, privacy, and security requirementsContribute to documentation and operational standards for enterprise data assetsCollaboration & Continuous ImprovementCollaborate with engineers, architects, analysts, and business stakeholders across multiple domainsParticipate in technical design reviews and engineering discussionsPerform peer code reviews and support engineering quality standardsContribute to documentation, knowledge sharing, and reusable engineering practicesEvaluate new technologies and recommend platform improvements where appropriateWHAT YOU'LL NEEDBachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Systems, Data Engineering, or a related field5+ years of experience in Data Engineering or a related technical disciplineStrong hands-on experience with Google Cloud Platform (GCP)Advanced expertise in BigQueryStrong experience with dbt and modern ELT development practicesAdvanced SQL development and query optimization skillsStrong Python programming experienceExperience building scalable data pipelines and transformation frameworksExperience working with APIs and data integration patternsExperience with workflow orchestration tools such as Airflow or Cloud ComposerExperience with GitHub, source control, and CI/CD development practicesStrong understanding of dimensional modeling and analytics engineering conceptsStrong troubleshooting, problem-solving, and analytical skillsExcellent communication and collaboration skillsPreferred QualificationsExperience supporting enterprise-scale data modernization programsExperience migrating workloads from Snowflake, Azure, SQL Server, Teradata, or other platforms to BigQueryExperience with Terraform and Infrastructure-as-Code practicesFamiliarity with Google Dataplex, Knowledge Catalog, or metadata management solutionsExperience with Cloud Run, Cloud Functions, or serverless technologiesExperience implementing data quality, testing, and observability frameworksExperience supporting healthcare, payments, or regulated industry environmentsFamiliarity with Data Mesh and domain-driven data ownership conceptsExperience supporting AI, machine learning, or advanced analytics initiativesCompetencies OverviewCloud Data Engineering (GCP / BigQuery) — AdvancedELT Pipeline Development — AdvancedData Modeling & Analytics Engineering — AdvancedSQL & Query Optimization — AdvancedPython Development — AdvancedData Quality & Observability — AdvancedData Governance & Security — StrongProblem Solving & Troubleshooting — AdvancedCollaboration & Stakeholder Partnership — StrongDelivery Execution & Accountability — StrongSkills OverviewCore TechnologiesGoogle Cloud Platform (GCP)BigQuerydbt / dbt CloudFivetranPythonSQLGitHubCloud Composer (Managed Airflow)Cloud FunctionsREST APIs and Data Integration FrameworksCI/CD PipelinesPreferred TechnologiesTerraformDataplexKnowledge CatalogCloud RunSnowflakeAzure Data Factory (ADF)Data Quality & Observability PlatformsMetadata Management SolutionsABOUT WAYSTARThrough a smart platform and better experience, Waystar helps providers simplify healthcare payments and yield powerful results throughout the complete revenue cycle.Waystar’s healthcare payments platform combines innovative, cloud-based technology, robust data, and unparalleled client support to streamline workflows and improve financials so providers can focus on what matters most: their patients and communities. Waystar is trusted by 1M+ providers, 1K+ hospitals and health systems, and is connected to over 5K commercial and Medicaid/Medicare payers. We are deeply committed to living out our organizational values: honesty; kindness; passion; curiosity; fanatical focus; best work, always; making it happen; and joyful, optimistic & fun.Waystar products have won multiple Best in KLAS or Category Leader awards since 2010 and earned multiple #1 rankings from Black Book surveys since 2012. The Waystar platform supports more than 500,000 providers, 1,000 health systems and hospitals, and 5,000 payers and health plans. For more information, visit waystar.com or follow @Waystar on Twitter. WAYSTAR PERKSCompetitive total rewards (base salary + bonus, if applicable)Customizable benefits package (3 medical plans with Health Saving Account company match)We offer generous paid time off for our non-exempt team members, starting with 3 weeks + 13 paid holidays, including 2 personal floating holidays. We also offer flexible time off for our exempt team members + 13 paid holidaysPaid parental leave (including maternity + paternity leave)Education assistance opportunities and free LinkedIn Learning accessFree mental health and family planning programs, including adoption assistance and fertility support401(K) program with company matchPet insuranceEmployee resource groupsWaystar is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We celebrate, value, and support diversity and inclusion. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, marital status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.This applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.SummaryLocation: Duluth, GA; Louisville, KY; Atlanta, GA; Lehi, UTType: Full time