Team Leader Data Engineering

Rocket Companies•Detroit, MI

About The Position

As the Data Engineering Manager, you’ll serve as a servant leader responsible for building and enabling a high-performing team of Data Engineers delivering scalable, reliable, and secure data platforms and services. You will lead the development of modern data capabilities across batch and real-time processing, cloud data platforms, and enterprise data integration while fostering a culture of engineering excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement. You will partner closely with Engineering, Analytics, Product, Architecture, and Business stakeholders to deliver trusted data solutions that enable operational and strategic decision-making at scale.

Requirements

8+ years of experience in Data Engineering, Software Engineering, or Platform Engineering
3+ years of experience in technical leadership or people leadership roles leading Data Engineering teams
Prior hands-on experience as a Senior or Lead Data Engineer building scalable enterprise data platforms and distributed systems
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related field
Strong experience designing and supporting batch and real-time data pipelines in cloud-native environments
Experience leading cross-functional engineering teams composed of Data Engineers and Software Engineers
Expertise in SQL and at least one modern programming language such as Python, Java, or Scala
Experience with cloud platforms such as AWS, Azure, or GCP
Strong understanding of CI/CD, testing automation, observability, and modern software engineering practices
Ability to contribute to architecture discussions, technical strategy, and engineering tradeoff decisions
Experience mentoring engineers and developing high-performing technical teams
Experience using Agile and operational metrics such as throughput, WIP, cycle time, reliability, incident trends, and defect rates to improve engineering performance
Strong communication and stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence technical and business decisions

Nice To Haves

Experience designing scalable distributed systems, data platforms, and integration architectures
Experience leading engineering teams delivering scalable, reliable, and maintainable production systems
Ability to meet delivery goals with shifting timelines, staffing, and dependencies
Working knowledge of multiple Agile development methodologies
Experience coordinating technology incident resolution processes
Knowledge of people leadership practices such as change management, recruiting, hiring, performance management, corrective action, and compensation administration
Exposure to Generative AI, LLM-based applications, or AI-enabled data engineering platforms and initiatives is considered an asset
Experience supporting data engineering platforms and pipelines for AI/ML or Generative AI workloads is considered an asset

Responsibilities

Lead and mentor an Agile team focused on data-driven experimentation, innovation, quality, and engineering craftsmanship
Communicate and promote the culture and mission of the company
Collaborate with leadership to align team objectives, roadmap priorities, and delivery goals with the company vision
Provide technical leadership across data engineering initiatives while partnering with Staff Engineers and Architects on scalable platform solutions and engineering standards
Promote thoughtful decision-making within a self-organized team and proactively remove delivery roadblocks
Drive team performance using engineering and operational metrics such as quality, predictability, flow, velocity, reliability, and incident trends
Coordinate response and communication for production and technology incidents and ensure root causes are identified and resolved
Stay informed on evolving trends across technology, cloud data platforms, AI/ML, business, and regulatory landscapes
Evaluate team structure, technical capabilities, and organizational alignment to improve delivery effectiveness and scalability
Understand and contribute to product roadmap planning while maintaining awareness of broader technical and business changes impacting the team
Develop short-, mid-, and long-term objectives aligned with product and engineering roadmaps
Develop and retain technical talent through coaching, mentorship, hiring, performance management, and career development
Promote engineering and leadership best practices across the broader engineering organization