Principal Data Engineer

Roche; Sant Cugat del Vallès; Hybrid; EUR 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Roche seeks a Principal Data Engineer to lead our Advanced Data Analytics team in Sant Cugat. You will shape GenAI-driven data strategies, design scalable AWS architectures, and mentor engineers to deliver high-impact, cost-efficient data initiatives.

You will collaborate with system architects, product owners and engineers to translate complex data requirements into robust, compliant solutions across diagnostic products. Fluent English required; Spanish a plus.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of hands-on data engineering experience with leadership in technical projects.
• Expert-level proficiency in AWS services including S3, Redshift, Glue, Athena, EMR, Step Functions, MWAA.
• Mastery of Python, SQL, and data processing with Apache Spark.
• Experience with Dimensional Modeling, Data Partitioning, and Terraform for IaC.
• Strong ability to bridge business needs and technical implementation; Fluent English.
• Spanish language skills are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Define and drive future strategy for GenAI and emerging technologies for diagnostic products.
• Design, implement, and optimize data architectures using AWS services with high performance.
• Develop data processing workflows using PySpark, SparkSQL, SQL, Iceberg and Parquet.
• Improve data infrastructure scalability, cost efficiency, and service consumption.
• Provide technical direction and mentorship to developers; enforce code quality and CI/CD.
• Collaborate with engineering and business stakeholders to translate requirements into data-driven solutions.
• Advocate for data security, governance, and GDPR/HIPAA compliance.

Skills

Leadership in tech projects

Python

SQL

Apache Spark

English proficiency

Spanish (plus)

GenAI awareness

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Engineering

Tools

AWS services (S3, Redshift, Glue, Athena, EMR, Step Functions, MWAA)

Terraform

Iceberg

Parquet

PySpark

Job description

Position DESCRIPTION

We are looking for a Principal Data Engineer to join our growing team of Advanced Data Analytics experts. This role calls for a seasoned expert with a robust mix of technical prowess, comprehensive domain knowledge, and strong technical leadership abilities. The ideal candidate is a hand-on technical leader who thrives on meeting data requirements across different products while driving the long-term technological vision of the department. You will be responsible for ensuring data accuracy and availability while spearheading future-ready strategies for GenAI and advanced analytics. You will work closely with System Architects, Product Owners, and Engineers to deliver scalable, cost-efficient, and high-impact data initiatives.

LOCATION

Sant Cugat, Spain

JOB TYPE

Full Time

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Define and drive the future strategy for GenAI and emerging technologies to uncover hidden patterns and drive decision-making across diagnostic products.
• Design, implement, and optimize data architectures using AWS services, ensuring seamless integration and high performance.
• Drive the design and development of efficient data processing workflows using PySpark, SparkSQL, SQL, and modern formats like Iceberg and Parquet.
• Optimize the performance, scalability, and cost efficiency of data infrastructure and AWS service consumption.
• Provide technical direction and mentorship to a team of developers, enforcing code quality standards and best practices for testing and CI/CD.
• Collaborate closely with engineering and business stakeholders to translate complex requirements into impactful data-driven solutions.
• Advocate for data security, governance, and compliance, ensuring all products are compliant with HIPPA, GDPR etc.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of 5 years of professional hand-on data engineering experience, including significant leadership in technical projects.
• Expert-level proficiency in AWS services including S3, Redshift, Glue, Athena, EMR, Step Functions, and MWAA.
• Mastery of Python, SQL, and data processing frameworks such as Apache Spark.
• Proven experience with Dimensional Modeling, Data Partitioning, and Infrastructure as Code using Terraform.
• Demonstrated ability to provide technical direction, guide architectural decisions, and mentor cross-functional teams.
• Excellent skills in bridging the gap between business needs and technical implementation for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Fluent written and spoken English communication skills.
• Spanish is a plus.

EDUCATION

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering.

DESIRED EXPERIENCE, SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in the Healthcare Laboratory domain and familiarity with regulations like HIPAA, HL7, and FHIR is a significant plus.
• Hands-on experience implementing GenAI and Machine Learning technologies within a SaaS or Cloud application environment.
• Experience in designing and implementing large-scale Data Lakes and Data Warehouses with a focus on long-term scalability.

WHY JOIN US?

• Collaborative Culture: Engage with a diverse team of talented professionals.
• Innovative Environment: Work on cutting-edge SaaS products and define the future of diagnostic data.
• Growth Opportunities: Take on challenging projects that offer continuous learning and career development.

* Our recruitment radius is limited to candidates residing in Spain. This is a hybrid position and no relocation assistance is provided.

Who we are

A healthier future drives us to innovate. Together, more than 100,000 employees across the globe are dedicated to advance science, ensuring everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Our efforts result in more than 26 million people treated with our medicines and over 30 billion tests conducted using our Diagnostics products. We empower each other to explore new possibilities, foster creativity, and keep our ambitions high, so we can deliver life-changing healthcare solutions that make a global impact. Let’s build a healthier future, together.

Roche is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe it’s urgent to deliver medical solutions right now – even as we develop innovations for the future. We are passionate about transforming patients’ lives. We are courageous in both decision and action. And we believe that good business means a better world. That is why we come to work each day. We commit ourselves to scientific rigor, unassailable ethics, and access to medical innovations for all. We do this today to build a better tomorrow. We are proud of who we are, what we do, and how we do it. We are many, working as one across functions, across companies, and across the world. We are Roche.