Job Title: Data Engineer
Location: Chicago, IL (Remote)
Duration: 6 months C2H
Overview:
We are looking for a Senior Data Engineer to join our Data Transformation Program and partner closely with our Data Architect in modernizing client data ecosystems. This role requires a deep understanding of current-state data landscapes, along with the ability to design and implement future-state architectures that align with evolving business requirements.
The ideal candidate will bring hands-on expertise in the Microsoft data stack (on-premises and cloud), strong analytical skills, and a consulting mindset capable of engaging with clients, understanding their existing environments, and driving end-to-end data modernization initiatives.
Key Responsibilities:
- Collaborate with the Data Architect and client stakeholders to assess existing data infrastructure, ETL processes, data models, and reporting systems.
- Conduct data landscape discovery and gap analysis to identify modernization opportunities and inefficiencies.
- Design, develop, and implement data pipelines and transformations using Microsoft technologies (SQL Server, SSIS, Azure Data Factory, Databricks, Synapse).
- Translate business requirements into scalable, future-ready data solutions and target architectures.
- Work on data migration and modernization projects, moving workloads from on-prem to Azure cloud environments.
- Redesign and optimize data models, reports, and ETL workflows to meet new business and performance goals.
- Collaborate with BI and analytics teams to ensure data is modeled and made available for accurate reporting and insights.
- Establish and implement best practices for data quality, governance, and performance optimization.
- Provide technical leadership in solution design, estimation, and delivery planning within client engagements.
- Document existing and proposed architectures, data flows, and transformation logic for stakeholder alignment.
Key Skills:
- 8+ years of experience in data engineering or related roles, ideally within a consulting or systems integration environment.
- Proven expertise with the Microsoft data platform, including:
- On-premises: SQL Server, SSIS, SSRS, SSAS
- Cloud (Azure): Azure Data Factory, Azure Synapse Analytics, Azure Databricks, Power BI
- Strong SQL development and ETL/ELT design skills, with a focus on performance optimization.
- Hands-on experience with data migration, data modeling, and metadata management.
- Ability to analyze existing data structures, identify pain points, and propose optimized architectures.
- Familiarity with data governance frameworks, data lineage, and data security principles.
- Working knowledge of Python, PySpark, or Scala for advanced data transformations.
- Understanding of business intelligence and reporting requirements in enterprise contexts.
- Excellent client-facing communication and consulting skills, with the ability to translate business needs into technical solutions.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate or equivalent certification.
- Experience in data modernization programs and cloud migration initiatives.
- Exposure to DevOps and CI/CD practices for data pipelines (Git, Azure DevOps).
- Understanding of data lake / lakehouse architectures.
- Familiarity with event-driven data processing (Kafka, Event Hubs).
Employers have access to artificial intelligence language tools (“AI”) that help generate and enhance job descriptions and AI may have been used to create this description. The position description has been reviewed for accuracy and Dice believes it to correctly reflect the job opportunity.