Principle Data Engineer
Principal-level individual contributor setting data platform strategy and architecture for an international retail group's in-house engineering hub in Cluj-Napoca. Day to day: owning pipeline/storage standards, leading cross-team data initiatives, and mentoring engineers using Python, Spark, dbt, Databricks/BigQuery and cloud DevOps tooling.
- Compensation
- Not disclosed
- Location
- Cluj-Napoca, RO
- Work setup
- Hybrid
- Seniority
- Not specified
- Employment
- Contract
- Experience
- 8+ years
- Category
- Data engineering
- Posted
Skills
Must have
- 8+ years of experience
- Strong experience with distributed data processing systems and architectures
- Proven track record delivering large-scale data platforms and pipelines
- Expertise in data modelling, storage, access and processing patterns
- Deep understanding of data architecture patterns (batch, streaming, event-driven) and cloud-native distributed systems design
- Experience designing for resilience, scalability, observability, performance and cost efficiency
- Strong Python and SQL, with Spark / PySpark (Scala is a plus)
- Hands-on experience with dbt and modern data platforms such as Databricks, BigQuery or Azure Data Factory
- Experience with at least one major cloud platform (GCP, Azure or AWS)
- DevOps / DataOps experience: CI/CD, Git, Terraform, Docker / Kubernetes
- Familiarity with data quality and testing frameworks such as Great Expectations
- Ability to influence at executive level and lead through ambiguity and transformation
- Track record of coaching engineers and raising capability across teams
- Excellent English, written and spoken
Full description
Core details
- Company type: International Retail Group – In-house Data & Engineering
- Location: Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Work model: Hybrid
- Engagement: Employment Contract, Permanent, Full-Time
- Role level: Principal level – Senior Individual Contributor
- Experience level: 8+ Years
- Key Skills / Tech Stack: Python, SQL, Spark / PySpark / Scala, dbt, Databricks, BigQuery, Azure Data Factory, GCP / Azure / AWS, CI/CD, Terraform, Docker / Kubernetes, Great Expectations, data architecture (batch, streaming, event-driven)
- Department: Engineering / Data
- Industry: Retail / Tech and digital
About the client
Our client is a large international retail group with an in-house engineering organisation – technology is built internally, not outsourced. Teams own what they design and run, end to end, on platforms that serve the group’s markets and brands across Europe.
The Cluj engineering hub is part of a wider international ecosystem. The data function is going through a period of transformation, and the local capability continues to grow.
About the role
As Principal Data Engineer, you are the go-to technical authority for data engineering across the organisation. This is a senior individual contributor role, not a people management one. Your influence comes from expertise, direction and the standards you set, across multiple squads and domains.
You will define the data platform and data engineering strategy, own architecture decisions and patterns, and shape long-term roadmaps together with Architecture and Product. You will work with senior stakeholders across Engineering, Product, Architecture and the Tech Board, and lead complex initiatives that span systems, teams and geographies.
You will also be a central figure in the Data Engineering Chapter. You will mentor engineers, contribute to hiring and capability planning, and build a culture of learning, experimentation and technical excellence.
Responsibilities:
- Define and lead the data platform and data engineering strategy, aligned with wider technology objectives.
- Own architecture decisions, patterns and standards across data pipelines, storage and processing.
- Establish and evolve data engineering principles, frameworks and best practices.
- Partner with Architecture and Product to shape long-term roadmaps and platform capabilities.