Lead Data Engineer

Lead Data Engineer Location: Houston, TX Job Type: Permanent Compensation: $160,000 - 170,000 Annually JobID: 2151910-WQG Description A Kforce client is seeking an experienced Lead Data Engineer to join a growing Data Engineering team within an enterprise-level Data & Analytics organization in Houston, Texas. This is a full-time, direct-hire opportunity: 160k-170k plus performance-based bonuses, and long-term incentive programs. Key Tasks: The Lead Data Engineer is responsible for architecting, designing, and implementing modern, cloud-based data platforms that support advanced analytics and predictive modeling across critical business units Act as a hands-on individual contributor while also shaping the architecture and long-term vision of enterprise data solutions; This position requires strong collaboration with data scientists, analysts, and business stakeholders to turn complex requirements into scalable technical solutions Working in a technically forward environment with a team that is deeply integrated with data science, business intelligence, and machine learning; The ideal candidate is both highly technical and business-minded, comfortable writing production-grade code and engaging with end users to understand and solve real business problems Requirements 7+ years of hands-on experience designing and implementing enterprise data platforms Strong experience with: Cloud data services (preferably AWS); Modern data warehousing tools (e.g., Snowflake); Data modeling methodologies (dimensional modeling, data vault, etc.) Experience with Data Lakehouse implementations (e.g., Apache Iceberg, Delta Lake) Deep understanding of ETL/ELT, streaming data, pub/sub, and Change Data Capture (CDC) Expert-level proficiency in Python and SQL Proven ability to create and maintain modular, testable code using engineering best practices (e.g., CI/CD, version control, unit testing) Tools & Frameworks: Experience with DBT for data transformation Experience with Apache Airflow or similar orchestration tools Experience with Python packages like pandas, NumPy, pyarrow, pytest, boto3 Infrastructure as Code tools such as Terraform or CloudFormation Architecture & Leadership: Experience leading cross-functional projects and mentoring junior engineers Ability to create reference architectures, design patterns, and long-term roadmaps Strong background in both data architecture and implementation Comfortable balancing individual contributor responsibilities with technical leadership The pay range is the lowest to highest compensation we reasonably in good faith believe we would pay at posting for this role. We may ultimately pay more or less than this range. Employee pay is based on factors like relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, location, performance, union contract and business needs. This range may be modified in the future. We offer comprehensive benefits including medical/dental/vision insurance, HSA, FSA, 401(k), and life, disability & ADD insurance to eligible employees. Salaried personnel receive paid time off. Hourly employees are not eligible for paid time off unless required by law. Hourly employees on a Service Contract Act project are eligible for paid sick leave. Note: Pay is not considered compensation until it is earned, vested and determinable. The amount and availability of any compensation remains in Kforce's sole discretion unless and until paid and may be modified in its discretion consistent with the law. This job is not eligible for bonuses, incentives or commissions. Kforce is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, or disability status. By clicking “Apply Today” you agree to receive calls, AI-generated calls, text messages or emails from Kforce and its affiliates, and service providers. Note that if you choose to communicate with Kforce via text messaging the frequency may vary, and message and data rates may apply. Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages. You will always have the right to cease communicating via text by using key words such as STOP.