Principal Data Engineer

News Corporation; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Flexible leave

Parental leave

Community program

Hackdays

Job summary

REA Group in Melbourne is seeking a Principal Data Engineer to oversee solution architecture and design of data systems. You will guide technology strategy, hands-on development, and collaboration with architects and engineering managers to deliver data solutions.

You will mentor engineers, drive data governance and modelling excellence, and help shape the data platform roadmap while engaging with diverse stakeholders. This is a hybrid role with focus on architecture and delivery.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in data engineering or related fields.
• Proficiency in Python, Scala, Java or Kotlin.
• Strong experience with cloud data warehouses (BigQuery, Snowflake, Redshift).
• Hands-on experience with data orchestration tools (Airflow, Dagster, Prefect).
• Solid understanding of cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, Azure).
• Experience designing and optimising large ETL/ELT workflows.
• Deep understanding of data architecture, modelling and performance.
• Experience mentoring or coaching teams and projects.
• Strategic thinker with strong problem-solving and communication skills.
• Collaborative leadership style and passion for reliable data solutions.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with data scientists, analysts and platform engineers to ensure reliable data delivery.
• Drive best practices in data modelling, orchestration, governance and automation.
• Contribute to a clear technology strategy for area with Architects and Directors.
• Partner with Engineering Managers to align solutions with strategy.
• Contribute to data platform roadmap and emerging technologies.
• Design high-quality, cross-squad data solutions with stakeholders.
• Foster internal tech community through knowledge sharing.
• Engage externally to showcase REA as a tech thought leader.
• Mentor and coach upcoming technology leaders across the area.

Skills

Python

Scala

Java

Kotlin

Data engineering

Mentoring

Leadership

Communication

Problem solving

Tools

Airflow

Dagster

Prefect

BigQuery

Snowflake

Redshift

dbt

Kafka

Flink

Spark Streaming

AWS

GCP

Azure

Job description

• Make an impact as a technical leader across two collaborative, supportive squads!

• Work for a leading property brand impacting millions of users with huge volumes of data!

• Permanent full time role based in Richmond

We're REA

With bold and ambitious goals, REA Group (https://www.rea-group.com/about-us/about-rea-group/) is changing the way the world experiences property. No matter where you're at on your property journey, we're here to help with every step - whether that's finding or financing your next home.

Our people are the key to our success. At the heart of everything we do, is a thriving culture centred around high performance and care. We are purpose driven and collaborative, which drives innovation and our ability to make a real impact. As such, we're proud to have been named in Australia's “Top 5” Best Workplaces two years in a row, as well as being recognised as a Best Workplace for Women.

Where the team fits in

The teams sit within the Listings and Enrichment teams, part of the broader Experience Platform group. We are creating new products and solutions that will impact how Australians experience property, today and into the future. Today, property.com.au is Australia’s 3rd largest property site and allows buyers and sellers to research 10 million+ properties, regardless of whether they're currently advertised for sale. Navigating the property market is complex and can be overwhelming, there are many opportunities to improve the buying and selling journey for Australians.

As a Principal Data Engineer, you will play a pivotal role in overseeing the solution architecture and design of our systems. In collaboration with other technical leaders across the business you will guide the implementation of the technology strategy for REA, applying it to the systems in your area. While the focus of this role is on architecture and technical excellence, you will remain hands on and work with teams to develop software solutions using agile software development practices. You will champion our technical practices to ensure a high-quality outcome for our business.

What the role is all about

• Collaborate with data scientists, analysts, and platform engineers to ensure reliable, high-quality data delivery.
• Drive best practices in data modelling, orchestration, governance, and automation.
• Active participation in the definition of a clear technology strategy for your area through collaboration with Architects, Directors of Engineering, and Engineering Managers.
• Partner with Engineering Managers to ensure that technical solutions are delivered in alignment with the strategy.
• Contribute to strategic planning for the data platform roadmap and emerging technologies.
• Design high-quality, user-centric, cross-squad solutions in collaboration with diverse stakeholders.
• Foster a vibrant and connected internal technology community through engagement and contributions to knowledge-sharing.
• Impactful external engagement and sharing of expertise to build recognition of REA as a technology though leader.
• Foster our next generation of technology leaders through coaching and mentoring experienced engineers across your area.

Who we're looking for

• 7+ years of experience in data engineering or related fields.
• Proficiency in one or more of the following programming languages: Python, Scala, Java, or Kotlin.
• Strong experience with cloud data warehouses such as BigQuery, Snowflake, or Redshift.
• Hands‑on experience with data orchestration tools such as Airflow, Dagster, or Prefect.
• Solid understanding of cloud platforms (AWS, GCP, or Azure).
• Proven experience in designing and optimising large‑scale ETL/ELT workflows.
• Deep understanding of data architecture, modelling, and performance optimisation.
• Experience in mentoring or coaching at any level, ideally with teams and leading cross‑functional technical projects.
• Strategic thinker with strong problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities.
• Collaborative leadership style with a focus on mentorship.
• Passionate about building reliable and elegant data solutions.
• Commitment to continuous learning and staying ahead of emerging technologies.

Desirable Skills

• Experience with dbt for transformation and modular data modelling.
• Exposure to streaming data technologies such as Kafka, Flink, or Spark Streaming.
• Knowledge of data governance, metadata management, and observability practices.
• Familiarity with DevOps principles and CI/CD workflows for data systems.

The REA experience

The physical, mental, emotional and financial health of our people is something we'll never stop caring about. This is a place to learn and grow.

Some of our Perks & Benefits include:

• A hybrid and flexible approach to working
• Flexible leave options including, birthday leave and purchase additional leave
• Flexible parental leave offering for primary and secondary carers
• Our Because We Care program offers employees volunteering leave, community grants, matched payroll giving and our Community Café donates 100% of revenue to charity
• Hackdays so you can bring your big ideas to life

Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

We are committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values diversity, equity and inclusion. We believe teams with diverse ideas and experiences are more creative, more effective and fuel disruptive thinking. If you've got the skills, dedication and enthusiasm to learn but don't necessarily meet every single point on the job description, please still get in touch.

Join our Talent Neighbourhood

Keen to be part of REA but didn't find a perfect match with this opportunity? Perhaps the timing isn't right? You should join our Talent Neighbourhood! (https://rea.to/careers-talentneighbourhood)

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Req ID R0015407