Sr. Data Engineer

Tandem Theory • Dallas, TX

3d • Remote

About The Position

The Senior Data Engineer is a hands-on, client-facing technical lead responsible for owning data pipelines and integrations for multiple clients and projects. The role involves stepping into established client work, quickly understanding existing systems, maintaining delivery, and improving data solutions. It serves as a trusted technical voice for clients, translating business goals into data solutions, setting expectations around scope and effort, and advising on how clients can use their data effectively.

This individual contributor role reports to the SVP of Tech and Data and leads through expertise and influence rather than direct reports. The engineer works in modern analytical environments, builds ETL/ELT solutions for disparate data sources, and uses AI-assisted coding tools as part of everyday development. The role includes client collaboration, data platform and pipeline development, technical problem-solving, prioritization, quality and audit practices, documentation, and sharing relevant technology and AI practices with the team.

The position is based at the company’s Dallas headquarters, but the company describes its model as work-from-anywhere, with office space available as a coworking space as needed. Work is generally conducted in a traditional office-norm manner and involves extended periods using a computer, telephone, copier, or other office equipment. Occasional long, irregular hours and frequent interruptions may occur. Calls are held on video. Applicants residing in California are not currently being accepted, and visa sponsorship is unavailable.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience preferred, in computer science or information systems.
• 4–5+ years of hands-on data engineering experience.
• Experience with RDBMS and cloud data warehouses such as PostgreSQL, SQL Server, Snowflake, and Google BigQuery.
• ETL/ELT development experience using SQL and Python, with orchestration in Apache Airflow.
• Experience with AWS and GCP, with strong hands-on experience in at least one.
• Advanced SQL skills, including stored procedures, indexing, and database I/O performance tuning.
• Solid understanding of data warehouse design principles and relational and non-relational data models.
• Regular use of AI-assisted coding tools, with sound judgment in reviewing and testing their output.
• Experience working directly with clients or business stakeholders on requirements, scope, and timelines.
• Proven ability to own several projects at once through delivery.
• Ability to proactively identify, troubleshoot, and resolve complex data integrity issues.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to explain technical details to non-technical audiences.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision in an agile environment and pivot quickly as analytical needs change.
• Ability to leverage cut and paste proficiently.
• Must provide documented proof of identity and employment authorization and pass a background screening process.
• Must not require work visa sponsorship; sponsorship is unavailable.
• Applicants must not reside in California, as the company is not currently accepting applicants from that state.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with dbt.
• Agency and marketing data experience.
• API development experience.
• DBA duties and responsibilities.
• Experience taking over and documenting systems built by someone else.

Responsibilities

• Own data engineering for multiple clients and projects from requirements through delivery and ongoing support.
• Work directly with clients to understand business goals and provide clear, specific technical recommendations.
• Negotiate project scope and level of effort with clients and internal teams, aligning on deliverables and timing.
• Collaborate with analysts, engineers, and managers across the agency, focusing on the business results the work must deliver.
• Design, build, and maintain data pipelines and integrations involving complex source data and API services.
• Take ownership of established client pipelines by reverse engineering existing SQL and pipeline code, understanding business logic, and documenting systems as work progresses.
• Move and model data across platforms using established ETL/ELT patterns orchestrated with Apache Airflow.
• Recommend and design database solutions; perform performance tuning, troubleshooting, and capacity estimation.
• Keep engineering work aligned with agreed architectural paths and data warehouse development standards.
• Maintain documentation for data movement and transformation processes, including process flows and data mappings.
• Set priorities for projects and tasks and push back when necessary to protect appropriate priorities and workflow.
• Set criteria for adding or removing people from client data services and systems.
• Create and manage audit reporting and quality checks to ensure accurate and consistent data delivery.
• Identify tool challenges and limitations and propose fixes.
• Identify roadblocks early, break complex work into clear tasks, and coordinate tasks with the team.
• Work with teammates and external partners to troubleshoot quickly and keep delivery on track.
• Use AI coding assistants as a core part of development and contribute to the team’s AI best practices.
• Identify relevant new technology and share findings with the team.

Benefits

• 85% employer-paid medical insurance.
• Eligibility to participate in vision insurance.
• Eligibility to participate in dental insurance.
• Company-paid short-term disability coverage.
• Company-paid long-term disability coverage.
• Company-paid contribution toward Basic Life and AD&D coverage.
• Generous 401(k) retirement contribution plan, eligible after 90 days of employment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior