Principal Software Engineer

Job Description

We are seeking a highly skilled Principal Software Engineer – Data Engineering to design, develop, and optimize scalable data platforms and pipelines. The ideal candidate will have strong expertise in Python, SQL, Snowflake (or equivalent cloud data warehouse), cloud technologies, CI/CD practices, and AI-enabled data solutions. This role requires technical leadership, architecture ownership, mentoring capabilities, and hands-on engineering excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Data Engineering & Platform Development

Design and implement scalable, reliable, and secure data pipelines.

Develop ETL/ELT solutions for processing large-scale structured and unstructured datasets.

Build data ingestion frameworks supporting batch and near real-time processing.

Design and optimize data models for analytics, reporting, and machine learning workloads.

Ensure high data quality, governance, observability, and reliability across data platforms.

Cloud & Data Warehouse

Architect and maintain cloud-native data solutions on AWS or Azure or GCP.

Develop and optimize solutions using Snowflake or equivalent cloud data warehouse technologies.

Implement data lake and lakehouse architectures.

Optimize storage costs, compute utilization, and query performance.

Software Engineering Excellence

Develop production-grade applications and frameworks using Python.

Perform code reviews and establish engineering best practices.

Drive architectural decisions and technology selection.

Ensure adherence to security, scalability, and reliability standards.

CI/CD & DevOps

Design and implement CI/CD pipelines for data and application deployments.

Automate build, test, deployment, and monitoring processes.

Manage Infrastructure as Code (IaC) using Terraform, CloudFormation, or similar tools.

Improve deployment reliability and observability.

AI & Advanced Analytics

Enable AI/ML workflows by building robust feature and training data pipelines.

Work with AI teams to operationalize machine learning models.

Explore Generative AI, LLM integrations, vector databases, and AI-driven automation solutions.

Support model monitoring, governance, and deployment pipelines.

Leadership & Mentoring

Provide technical leadership across multiple engineering teams.

Mentor senior engineers and establish engineering standards.

Collaborate with architects, product managers, and business stakeholders.

Drive innovation and strategic technology initiatives.

Qualifications

10+ years of experience in Data Engineering.

Strong expertise in Python programming.

Advanced SQL development and performance tuning skills.

Experience with Snowflake or equivalent cloud data warehouse technologies.

Strong understanding of data modeling, ETL/ELT frameworks, and data governance.

Experience with cloud platforms:

Microsoft Azure (Preferred)

AWS

Google Cloud Platform

DevOps & CI/CD

Experience with: Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions, Jenkins, GitLab CI/CD, Knowledge of Docker and Kubernetes., Infrastructure as Code experience.

AI & Modern Data Technologies

Exposure to:

Machine Learning pipelines

Generative AI concepts

LLM integrations

Vector databases

RAG architectures

Prompt engineering basics

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience building enterprise-scale data platforms.

Knowledge of Spark, Databricks, Kafka, or streaming technologies.

Understanding of Data Mesh and modern data architecture principles.

Experience in observability and monitoring tools.

Snowflake, Azure, AWS, or GCP certifications are a plus.

Desired Competencies

Technical leadership

Solution architecture

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Problem-solving

Mentoring and coaching

Strong communication skills

Agile development practices

Success Metrics

Reliable and scalable data platform delivery.

Reduced pipeline failures and improved SLA compliance.

Improved data quality and governance.

Faster deployment cycles through CI/CD automation.

Successful adoption of AI-enabled data solutions.

Increased engineering productivity and platform efficiency.

Additional Information

Our Benefits

Flexible working environment

Volunteer time off

LinkedIn Learning

Employee-Assistance-Program (EAP)

NIQ may utilize artificial intelligence (AI) tools at various stages of the recruitment process, including résumé screening, candidate assessments, interview scheduling, job matching, communication support, and certain administrative tasks that help streamline workflows. These tools are intended to improve efficiency and support fair and consistent evaluation based on job-related criteria. All use of AI is governed by NIQ’s principles of fairness, transparency, human oversight, and inclusion. Final hiring decisions are made exclusively by humans. NIQ regularly reviews its AI tools to help mitigate bias and ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations. If you have questions, require accommodations, or wish to request human review were permitted by law, please contact your local HR representative. For more information, please visit NIQ’s AI Safety Policies and Guiding Principles: https://nielseniq.com/global/en/info/niqs-ai-safety-policies/

About NIQ

NIQ is the world’s leading consumer intelligence company, delivering the most complete understanding of consumer buying behavior and revealing new pathways to growth. In 2023, NIQ combined with GfK, bringing together the two industry leaders with unparalleled global reach. With a holistic retail read and the most comprehensive consumer insights - delivered with advanced analytics through state-of-the-art platforms - NIQ delivers the Full View™. NIQ is an Advent International portfolio company with operations in 100+ markets, covering more than 90% of the world’s population.

For more information, visit NIQ.com

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Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

At NIQ, we are steadfast in our commitment to fostering an inclusive workplace that mirrors the rich diversity of the communities and markets we serve. We believe that embracing a wide range of perspectives drives innovation and excellence. All employment decisions at NIQ are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. We invite individuals who share our dedication to inclusivity and equity to join us in making a meaningful impact. To learn more about our ongoing efforts in diversity and inclusion, please visit the https://nielseniq.com/global/en/news-center/diversity-inclusion