Principal Data Engineer & Platform Architect

REA Group Ltd.; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work

Birthday leave

Parental leave

Volunteer program

Hackdays

Job summary

REA Group Ltd. is seeking a Principal Data Engineer in Melbourne to oversee solution architecture and design across data systems.

You will guide technology strategy, mentor engineers, and partner with Architects and engineering leaders while remaining hands-on to deliver robust data solutions. You will collaborate with data scientists, analysts, and platform engineers to ensure reliable data delivery, drive best practices in data modelling, orchestration, governance, and automation, and

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in data engineering or related fields.
• Proficiency in one or more 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.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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 thought leader.
• Foster our next generation of technology leaders through coaching and mentoring experienced engineers across your area.

Skills

Python

Scala

Java

Kotlin

BigQuery

Snowflake

Redshift

Airflow

Dagster

Prefect

AWS

GCP

Azure

ETL/ELT

dbt

Kafka

Flink

Spark Streaming

data governance

observability

CI/CD for data

mentoring

leadership

communication

Tools

Data modeling tools

Orchestration tools

Job description

REA Group Ltd. is seeking a Principal Data Engineer in Melbourne to oversee solution architecture and design across data systems.

You will guide technology strategy, mentor engineers, and partner with Architects and engineering leaders while remaining hands-on to deliver robust data solutions. You will collaborate with data scientists, analysts, and platform engineers to ensure reliable data delivery, drive best practices in data modelling, orchestration, governance, and automation, and