Principal Data Engineer

Altus Group; Toronto; Remote; CAD 240,000 - 270,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Altus Intelligence Academy

Flexible work model

Inclusive and accessible environment

Job summary

Altus Group is hiring a Principal Data Engineer to lead the data platform initiative, guiding production pipelines, standards, and reusable patterns. You will partner with Architecture, Data Science, ML, Product, and other tech teams to unify data capabilities and scale CRE data products.

This role emphasizes technical depth in distributed data systems and cloud platforms, with a focus on delivering scalable, maintainable data solutions on Databricks and beyond.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience designing, building, and operating data engineering solutions in production.
• Proficient in distributed data systems and modern data infrastructure.
• Strong programming in Python, SQL, and Spark; practical Databricks usage.

Responsibilities

• Set technical direction for reusable data engineering patterns and frameworks across the team.
• Build production-grade pipelines and data products on Databricks; implement monitoring and cost-effective practices.
• Represent Data Engineering in strategic discussions; align requirements across stakeholders.
• Develop engineering talent through mentoring and code reviews.
• Translate complex data needs into practical, scalable solutions.

Skills

Python

SQL

Spark

Databricks

Data pipelines

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Cloud platforms

Tools

Databricks

Job description

Compensation Range:

Compensation Range: $240,000 - $270,000 CAD Compensation Disclaimer: The salary range listed reflects the base pay for this role at Altus Group and is provided where required by local regulations. Actual offers may differ based on experience, market conditions, and other relevant factors. The range does not include additional compensation such as bonuses, equity, benefits, or other incentives.

Job Overview

Reporting to the Head of Data Science, we are hiring a Principal Data Engineer to help shape the next generation of Altus Group’s data platform. As our new Principal Data Engineer, you will provide technical leadership to bring together data capabilities from Reonomy in the U.S. and Data Studio in Canada, creating a more unified, scalable foundation for its commercial real estate data products. You will combine deep technical execution with strategic influence, developing reusable frameworks, engineering standards, and production-ready capabilities on Databricks while partnering with Architecture, Data Science, ML Engineering, Product, and other technology teams. Your work will help strengthen how data is built, managed, monitored, and delivered to internal users, external customers, and application teams while supporting Altus Group’s continued global growth. This is a full time remote position open to candidates based within Canada or the UK.

What’s in it for you

Build something new with meaningful scale and impact. You will have the opportunity to help shape a modern data engineering platform from the ground up, establishing the standards and frameworks that will support our data products today and enable future growth into new markets. Work with distinctive data in a major global industry. You will work with complex commercial real estate data that supports new products, analytics, and insights for customers and internal teams. Your work will help turn challenging data into products that enable better investment and business decisions. Influence how data engineering is done across Altus. This role offers the scope to shape technical direction beyond a single project or team. Through your partnership with Architecture, Data Science, ML Engineering, Product, and other technology groups, you will help create reusable approaches that improve quality, efficiency, scalability, and long-term maintainability. Grow your impact in the direction that fits your strengths. As the data engineering function continues to develop, you will have opportunities to deepen your technical expertise, expand your strategic influence, mentor others, and potentially explore broader leadership or product-focused career paths.

As our new Principal Data Engineer, you will

• Set technical direction. You will partner with Architecture to define reusable data engineering patterns and frameworks, then lead their implementation and adoption across the data engineering function. You will make sound technical decisions on complex data engineering challenges while ensuring those decisions align with broader engineering standards.
• Build scalable data capabilities. You will play a critical role in developing production-ready pipelines, frameworks, and data products on Databricks using technologies such as Python, SQL, and Spark. You will help establish monitoring and operational practices that support reliable, maintainable, and cost-effective solutions. You will assess emerging data technologies, recommend practical opportunities for adoption, and create capabilities that can be reused as our data platform evolves.
• Shape cross-functional planning. You will represent Data Engineering in strategic discussions with Data Science, ML Engineering, Product, Architecture, and other technology stakeholders. You will help clarify ownership boundaries, strengthen requirements, and ensure teams are working toward aligned priorities.
• Develop engineering talent. You will mentor engineers across teams, contribute to code reviews, and share practical guidance that improves engineering quality, delivery effectiveness, and technical capability.
• Translate data needs into solutions. You will work with stakeholders to understand complex commercial real estate concepts and determine how data should be structured, transformed, and delivered to support analytics, machine learning, and customer-facing products. You will drive several concurrent initiatives with impact beyond a single project or team.

You bring:

• The technical depth. You bring extensive experience designing, building, and operating data engineering solutions in production, including distributed data systems, cloud platforms, and modern data infrastructure.
• The engineering expertise. You have strong programming skills in Python, SQL, and Spark, along with practical experience using Databricks. You understand how to design reliable, reusable, and maintainable pipelines, frameworks, and data products.
• The platform perspective. You have a track record of creating technical standards, engineering patterns, or platform capabilities that are adopted across multiple teams.
• The leadership and influence. You can represent Data Engineering in strategic discussions, collaborate with Architecture and senior stakeholders, and build alignment across technical functions. You are comfortable influencing without relying on formal authority.
• The collaborative approach. You work effectively with Data Scientists, ML Engineers, Product partners, and other engineering teams. You share knowledge, contribute to code reviews, and help others improve their technical capabilities and delivery outcomes.
• The business focus. You connect technical decisions to business value and can translate complex data and domain requirements into practical, scalable solutions. Experience working with finance, credit, or commercial real estate data would be an asset.
• The adaptability. You are comfortable working through complex, evolving problems and making thoughtful decisions in an environment where existing platforms, products, and technologies are being brought together and reimagined.

What Altus Group offers:

• Rewarding performance: competitive compensation, incentive and bonus plans, and a total rewards package prioritizing mental, physical, and financial well-being.
• Growth and development: we invest in your professional learning. Our Altus Intelligence Academy offers over 150,000 hours of learning content.
• Flexible work model: our Activity-Based Work model provides flexibility to align your work location to the needs of the work — use the office for collaboration and remote work for focused tasks.
• Inclusivity & Accessibility Altus Group is committed to fostering an inclusive work environment where all clients and employees feel welcomed, accepted and valued. We provide an atmosphere free from barriers to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, and encourage equal opportunities for all employees. We’re seeking candidates with diverse experiences and provide accessible candidate experiences throughout the selection process. If you need accommodation, please contact us at [e-mail] or [phone].

Use of Artificial Intelligence

AI tools may be used to support the initial stages of screening for this role; however, all assessments and final hiring decisions are reviewed and made by an Altus Group hiring professional.

Background Checks

Please note that as part of our commitment to maintaining a safe and secure workplace, Altus Group may conduct background checks on candidates who receive a conditional offer of employment. These checks may include, but are not limited to, verification of employment history, education credentials, criminal records, credit history (where relevant), and reference checks. The scope and nature of background checks may vary depending on the role, location, and applicable laws. All background checks will be conducted in compliance with local laws and regulations, and candidates will be informed of any checks required as part of the recruitment process.

Other Notes / Application Process

We appreciate all applicants; however, only those selected to move forward will be contacted. Thank you for your interest in Altus Group. We work with the most influential Commercial Real Estate firms around the world providing you exposure to some of the most significant CRE and proptech mandates. We offer boundless opportunities in a rapidly growing global business: mentorship from the best and brightest in CRE, access to our Altus Intelligence Academy, and the chance to work with the best data sets, tools and technology in the industry. Maintaining room to make your mark: You'll have the opportunity to make an impact for our clients, our business and yourself. A high performance & high trust environment: You'll have a high level of accountability balanced with our Take What You Need unlimited vacation program. Leaders who are invested in well-being & performance: We'll help you grow your skills and accomplish great things to develop your career.

Are you being referred to one of our roles by a current Altus team member? If so, ask your connection at Altus Group about using our Employee Referral process! Altus Group is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible work environment and does not discriminate on the basis of any legally protected status or characteristic. Altus reasonably accommodates people with disabilities throughout the recruitment and selection process. Applicants are encouraged to make their needs known in advance if accommodation is required contacting us at [e-mail] or 416-641-9500.