Senior Data Engineer (Google Cloud Platform / FinOps Platform)

Company Overview
Our client is a technology-forward organization investing in scalable cloud platforms to drive visibility, efficiency, and informed decision-making across complex infrastructure environments. Their engineering teams focus on building high-performance, cost-aware data systems that support enterprise-scale cloud operations. They prioritize ownership, reliability, and thoughtful engineering practices in a collaborative but highly autonomous environment.

Role Summary
The Intersect Group is seeking a Senior Data Engineer to own and evolve a production-grade cloud cost and data platform built within Google Cloud Platform. This is a highly hands-on role requiring deep technical expertise and the ability to independently operate, optimize, and scale critical data systems with minimal oversight.
You will be responsible for building and maintaining data pipelines, managing infrastructure through code, and ensuring system reliability across cloud environments. This role plays a key part in enabling FinOps initiatives by delivering accurate, scalable, and cost-efficient data solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, build, and maintain scalable ETL/ELT pipelines using Python and BigQuery.
• Develop and optimize cloud-native data solutions focused on cost visibility and infrastructure efficiency.
• Manage and deploy infrastructure using Terraform, ensuring reproducibility and scalability across environments.
• Own production systems end-to-end, including monitoring, incident response, and performance optimization.
• Build and maintain APIs, data ingestion processes, and analytics pipelines across cloud platforms.
• Collaborate with FinOps, engineering, and security teams to deliver actionable insights and cost optimization strategies.
• Implement robust testing, logging, and error-handling strategies for reliable long-running data processes.
• Leverage AI-assisted development tools to accelerate development, debugging, and documentation.

Key Requirements

• 5+ years of experience building production-grade data pipelines and backend systems.
• Strong hands-on experience with Python and modern data engineering practices.
• Deep expertise in Google Cloud Platform, especially BigQuery, Cloud Run, and GCS.
• Advanced SQL skills with a strong understanding of performance optimization and cost-aware query design.
• Proven experience with Terraform (Infrastructure as Code required) and containerization using Docker.
• Experience designing scalable distributed systems and handling large-scale data processing workflows.
• Strong understanding of cloud cost optimization, FinOps principles, and billing data structures.
• Experience operating production systems independently, including monitoring, alerting, and incident response.
• Strong problem-solving skills with a proactive, ownership-driven mindset.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with cloud billing exports, usage analytics, or multi-cloud cost platforms.
• Familiarity with Azure billing APIs or multi-cloud environments.
• Experience with workflow orchestration tools (e.g., Cloud Workflows, Airflow, Dagster).
• Background in building cost dashboards or reporting solutions (e.g., Looker, Tableau).
• Exposure to dbt or similar transformation frameworks.
• FinOps certification or demonstrated experience in cost optimization initiatives.

Role Details

• Location: Remote (must be based in Austin, TX or Atlanta, GA metro areas)
• Type: Contract-to-Hire
• Work Environment: Highly autonomous role with full ownership of a critical platform
• Interview Process: Fast-moving with quick feedback and decision timelines

Call to Action
If you are a highly independent data engineer who thrives on owning production systems and building scalable cloud platforms from the ground up, we encourage you to apply. Please submit your resume and contact information to The Intersect Group for immediate consideration.