Principal Data Engineer

Principal Data Engineer
Enterprise Data Platforms and Engineering Team

The Enterprise Data Platforms and Engineering team is seeking a Principal Data Engineer with deep architectural expertise and a proven track record in designing and building high-performing data and analytical solutions. This role is ideal for a technical leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is passionate about transforming enterprise data capabilities through scalable, reusable frameworks and modern cloud technologies.

Key Responsibilities
• Architect and lead the design and implementation of enterprise-grade data frameworks and pipelines across cloud and on-prem environments
• Develop scalable data products and solutions that support business intelligence, analytics, and operational needs
• Mentor and guide engineering teams, fostering best practices in data engineering, architecture, and software development
• Design and articulate technical architecture for data platforms, ensuring alignment with business and regulatory requirements
• Implement MDM solutions, including match/merge/survivorship setup and tuning, using tools like MDM SaaS Customer 360
• Build robust data pipelines using streaming and batch processing technologies to ingest, transform, and deliver data from various financial sources
• Ensure data quality and integrity through rigorous testing, validation, and monitoring practices
• Collaborate cross-functionally with business stakeholders, product managers, and technology teams to deliver optimal data solutions
• Drive innovation by identifying opportunities to improve data utilization, performance, and business outcomes
• Support production deployments, including change management, user acceptance testing, and operational handoffs

Required Skills and Experience
• 8+ years of experience in data engineering and architecture
• Strong hands-on experience with Apache Spark, Beam, Flink, and Apache Kafka
• Proficiency in Java, Scala, Python, and SQL
• Experience with microservices architecture, API development, and cloud-native applications
• Expertise in AWS cloud services including Glue, S3, Redshift, Lake Formation, and general cloud data processing
• Familiarity with ETL tools such as Talend or DataStage
• Knowledge of data warehousing, data lakes, and MDM principles
• Experience with UI frameworks like React, Angular, and Spring Boot (a plus)
• Strong understanding of data governance, compliance, and regulatory requirements
• Familiarity with customer preferences

Education and Certifications
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related technology field

Hours per Week: 40
Work Schedule: Monday through Friday
Hybrid: 4 days on site and 1 day remote

Pay Transparency

The salary range for this position is $150,000-180,000 per year, plus an opportunity to earn an annual discretionary bonus. Actual pay is based on various factors including but not limited to the work location, and relevant skills and experience.  

We offer competitive pay, comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage, retirement benefits, maternity/paternity leave, flexible work arrangements, education reimbursement, wellness programs and more. Note, Citizens’ paid time off policy exceeds the mandatory, paid sick or paid time-away policy of very local and state jurisdiction in the United States. For an overview of our benefits, visit https://jobs.citizensbank.com/benefits.

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Equal Employment Opportunity

Citizens, its parent, subsidiaries, and related companies (Citizens) provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all colleagues and applicants for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, citizenship, physical or mental disability, perceived disability or history or record of a disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, genetic characteristic, marital or domestic partner status, victim of domestic violence, family status/parenthood, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, pregnancy/childbirth/lactation, colleague’s or a dependent’s reproductive health decision making, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by federal, state and/or local laws. At Citizens, we are committed to fostering an inclusive culture that enables all colleagues to bring their best selves to work every day and everyone is expected to be treated with respect and professionalism. Employment decisions are based solely on merit, qualifications, performance and capability.

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Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the candidate successfully passing a background check, which may include initial credit, motor vehicle record, public record, prior employment verification, and criminal background checks. Results of the background check are individually reviewed based upon legal requirements imposed by our regulators and with consideration of the nature and gravity of the background history and the job offered. Any offer of employment will include further information.