Staff Data Engineer

About the Role 💻 

We are looking for a Staff Data Engineer who will help us lead the design, development, and implementation of data architectures that support our data-driven products and services. This role involves creating high-level architectural blueprints, ensuring efficient data flows, and optimizing data systems for scalability and reliability. The ideal candidate combines technical expertise in data engineering with a strategic mindset, capable of assessing when and why to apply various technologies for scalability and performance, helping shape our data infrastructure to meet the demands of a fast-paced, innovative environment.

What You’ll Be Doing 🚀

• Designing and overseeing data architecture solutions that integrate seamlessly with our current systems and supporting scalability, security, and high performance
• Developing and implementing architectural patterns for efficient data validation, consumption, and storage
• Evaluating various tools and frameworks, understanding when they add value and when simpler approaches are more appropriate
• Transforming raw data into intuitive, high-quality data models that support analytical and reporting needs across the organization. Applying scalable design patterns but avoiding over-engineering, ensuring solutions remain efficient and fit-for-purpose
•  Implementing and monitoring data quality checks to ensure the accuracy, completeness, and reliability of data across all systems
• Working closely with engineering and product teams to understand business requirements, translating them into scalable data solutions
• Acting as a bridge between technical and non-technical stakeholders, ensuring alignment with strategic goals and effective communication of technical designs
• Leading initiatives to improve data practices, from schema design to data governance, ensuring data quality, consistency, and security
• Guiding the team in experimenting with new tools and technologies thoughtfully, focusing on understanding both the benefits and limitations of each option
• Continuously evolving the data architecture for optimal performance, balancing scalability with cost-efficiency and reliability
• Applying a pragmatic approach to performance metrics and scaling decisions, ensuring that the system remains performant without unnecessary complexity
• Implementing performance metrics to monitor system health, proposing improvements where necessary
• Maintaining comprehensive documentation of data systems, processes, and best practices to facilitate knowledge sharing and compliance

Location 🌍

The role is based in Madrid

Way of Working: Remote / Hybrid

What You’ll Need 👀

• 10+ years in data architecture, data engineering, or a related role, with hands-on experience in data modeling, schema design, and cloud-based data systems
• Strong SQL skills and proficiency with distributed data stores
• Proven ability to evaluate and justify the use of various big data technologies, with a strong preference for simplicity whenever possible
• Strong background in architectural design for large-scale applications, with a focus on microservices, distributed systems, and data pipelines in cloud environments
• Proficiency in schema design, data modeling, and building data products
• Proficient in at least one major programming language, preferably Python, with a software engineering mindset for writing clean, maintainable code
• Deep understanding of architectural principles in microservices, distributed systems, and data pipeline design
• Familiarity with containerized environments, public/private API integrations, and security best practices
• Self-starter, able to take ownership and initiative, with high energy and stamina
• Decisive and action-oriented, able to make rapid decisions even when they are short of information
• Highly motivated, independent and deeply passionate about sustainability and impact
• Excellent oral and written English communication skills (minimum C1 level-proficient user)

Nice To Have ✨

• Experience with Domain-Driven Design (DDD) and Bounded Contexts to help shape and organize our data products around clear, meaningful domains.
• Familiarity with Team Topologies to drive team structures that optimize flow and collaboration, ensuring alignment between teams and business goals.
• Strong understanding of Lean and Agile methodologies, with a passion for continuous improvement, applying Lean principles, and delivering high-value outcomes in an iterative manner

What We Offer 🥁

• Competitive compensation, both in terms of base salary as well as equity plans that enable to you to share in our success
• Flexibility in ways of working both in terms of your schedule as well as your location, whether you prefer to work from home, the office, or abroad with access to a global network of co-working spaces 
• Generous paid time off schemes, including vacation, sabbatical, religious observance and compensation days
• Meaningful benefits including private healthcare coverage, fitness and wellness programs covered through Wellhub, working-from-home allowances to help you set up your home office and cover monthly expenses
• Professional development with annual training budget for conferences, courses, certifications and access to top market e-learning platforms
• Collaborative environment with multiple offices around the globe, regular team activities and events as well as employee-led resource groups