Principal Data Engineer - Neo4J

Description

Principal Data Engineer – Graph Data Engineering Neo4j

Role Summary

As Principal Data Engineer, you will be chartered with developing functional systems to realize key business objectives and goals, with a specialization in graph data engineering and connected data architecture. You will help lead a team of data engineers as you create interfaces, graph models, and data platforms that facilitate the flow, linkage, and contextualization of information across Citizens’ business operations.

In this role, you will establish and scale graph-based solutions using Neo4j, enabling relationship-driven insights, network analytics, and advanced data discovery across domains such as fraud detection, risk analysis, and customer intelligence.

Specialized Responsibilities

Serve as a key contributor in designing and delivering graph data solutions, partnering with stakeholders to translate business needs into connected data models and graph architectures

Engineer and maintain graph database Neo4j, alongside relational and non-relational systems to support hybrid data environments

Develop and operationalize relationship-based data models, including nodes, edges, and properties aligned to enterprise business domains

Design and implement knowledge graphs and connected data platforms that unify disparate data sources and expose relationships across systems

Build and optimize graph ingestion pipelines for batch and streaming data sources, ensuring data freshness and integrity

Develop mechanisms and architectures that support business line specific use cases

Establish standards and best practices for graph modeling, schema evolution, and governance within the enterprise data ecosystem

Review and manage interfaces supporting graph data access including APIs, visualization tools, and analytics platforms

Partner with data science and analytics teams to enable graph-based feature engineering and machine learning integration

Preferred Technical Expertise

Deep expertise in Neo4j platform capabilities, including clustering, security, and enterprise deployment patterns

Experience in graph data modeling and ontology design for complex enterprise datasets

Knowledge of connected data architecture patterns, including knowledge graphs and data fabrics

Experience integrating graph platforms with big data ecosystems (Spark, Kafka, etc.) and cloud-native services

Strong understanding of query optimization, indexing, and graph performance tuning

Experience with data ingestion frameworks supporting both batch and real-time pipelines

Proficiency in Python

Business Outcomes and Impacts

Enable enhanced fraud detection and prevention through network-based analysis of entities, transactions, and behaviors

Accelerate Customer 360 insights by linking fragmented data across business domains

Support real-time decisioning through connected data models and optimized graph queries

Drive improved data integrity and lineage visibility through network-based representations

Enable faster, more scalable delivery of insight-driven business capabilities through reusable graph models

Preferred Qualifications

8+ years of experience in data engineering, including experience leading engineers and technical teams

Proven experience implementing Neo4j in enterprise environments

Familiarity with machine learning and AI techniques leveraging graph data

Experience working in Agile environments and leading cross-functional delivery teams

Experience with visualization and BI tools in conjunction with graph-derived insights

Modernization and Architecture Expectations

Advance the organization’s data architecture toward connected, relationship-driven models, complementing existing data platforms

Establish graph-first design patterns where relationship complexity drives business value

Integrate Neo4j into the broader enterprise data ecosystem (cloud, lakehouse, streaming platforms)

Promote adoption of knowledge graphs and semantic modeling to improve interoperability and reuse

Implement scalable, resilient graph data platforms aligned to enterprise security and compliance standards

Standardized graph engineering practices, including modeling guidelines, performance tuning, and operational monitoring

Partner with architecture leadership to define the future-state connected data vision, ensuring alignment with digital and AI strategies

Some job boards have started using jobseeker-reported data to estimate salary ranges for roles. If you apply and qualify for this role, a recruiter will discuss accurate pay guidance.

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.

Background Check

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.

Benefits

We offer competitive pay, comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage, retirement benefits, maternity/paternity leave, flexible work arrangements, education reimbursement, wellness programs and more.

Awards We've Received

Glassdoor Best Place to Work in Consulting, Finance & Insurance

Human Rights Campaign Corporate Equality Index 100 Award

Newsweek America's Most Charitable Company

The Banker's

US Bank of the Year

Dave Thomas Foundation’s Best Adoption-Friendly Workplace

Disability:IN Best Places to Work for Disability Inclusion