Principal Data Engineer

Motion Recruitment is seeking a Principal Data Analytics Engineer to help advance a cloud-native data platform supporting a financial technology analytics ecosystem. This is a hybrid role based in Back Bay, Boston, with hands-on ownership of platform architecture, analytics engineering, and cross-functional technical strategy.

Role Focus

The position balances architecture work, analytics engineering, and leadership responsibilities. You will spend significant time directly building and improving platform capabilities while also shaping technical direction and coordinating strategy across stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Data Platform Architecture & Engineering (40%): Lead engineering efforts that evolve the platform architecture and support scalable delivery.
• Data Modeling, Analytics Engineering & Business Logic (30%): Design data models and implement business logic that supports analytics and reporting needs.
• Technical Leadership & Cross-Functional Strategy (20%): Guide technical decisions and align with partners across teams and functions.
• Platform Innovation & Performance Optimization (10%): Improve platform performance and explore enhancements that support reliability and efficiency.
• Hands-On Engineering (60%): Participate directly in implementation and delivery across the data platform.
• Technical Leadership & Architecture (25%): Provide architecture direction and establish technical best practices.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement (15%): Engage with technical and business stakeholders to support shared outcomes.

Required Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in data engineering, analytics engineering, or data platform development.
• Expert proficiency in Python and SQL.
• Extensive experience designing scalable ETL/ELT pipelines and cloud-native data architectures.
• Strong experience with dbt, Apache Airflow, Apache Spark, or equivalent modern data frameworks.
• Experience with Google Cloud Platform and related services such as BigQuery, Dataproc, and Cloud Run (or similar cloud technologies).
• Deep understanding of data modeling, business logic implementation, and relational database design.
• Experience building highly reliable, production-scale data platforms.
• Strong software engineering fundamentals, with emphasis on performance, scalability, and maintainability.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to influence technical and business stakeholders.
• Experience mentoring engineers and driving engineering best practices across teams.

Technology Stack

• Python
• SQL
• dbt
• Apache Airflow
• Apache Spark
• Google Cloud Platform
• BigQuery
• Dataproc
• Cloud Run

Preferred Experience & Skills

• Experience architecting enterprise-scale analytics platforms.
• Background in financial services, including lending, capital markets, or structured finance.
• Experience working with AI-assisted development tools and modern data automation frameworks.
• Experience partnering directly with customers and executive stakeholders.
• Familiarity with distributed computing, data governance, and large-scale data quality initiatives.
• Experience leading technical strategy across cross-functional engineering organizations.

Benefits

• Medical Insurance
• Dental Benefits
• Vision Benefits
• 401(k)
• Unlimited Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Monthly Fitness Stipend & Annual Wellness Fund
• Paid Parental Leave
• Professional Development & Conference Opportunities

Compensation

The offer includes a competitive base salary plus bonus and equity potential.

Location & Work Setup

Boston, MA (hybrid), with the role located in Back Bay.