Senior Data Engineer, Python, Spark

Roku, Inc.; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits

Mental health support

Retirement options

Job summary

Roku, Inc. is seeking a Senior Data Engineer for the Viewer Product Device & Themed Experiences team in Cambridge. You will design data models and build scalable pipelines across devices and platforms to surface key metrics.

The role emphasizes coding in Python, strong SQL, and experience with large data ecosystems (HDFS, Hive, Spark, Airflow). You will influence architecture and own initiatives from concept to delivery. Hybrid work from Cambridge Office.

Qualifications

• Strong SQL and Python skills demonstrated in data engineering projects.
• Experience with large-scale data ecosystems and modelling.
• Background in OO programming and data architecture concepts.
• Degree in Computer Science or related field; advanced degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Build highly scalable, fault-tolerant data pipelines across devices and platforms.
• Design data models and transform datasets for self-service analytics.
• Maintain data quality and resilience against imperfect source data.
• Define data mappings and business rules for scalable architectures.
• Measure performance and optimize large production clusters.
• Participate in architecture discussions and influence product roadmap.
• Evolve platforms with modern technologies and approaches.

Skills

SQL

Python

OO programming

Big data tech

Data modelling

Education

BS in Computer Science

MS preferred

Job description

Teamwork makes the stream work.

Roku is changing how the world watches TV

Roku is the #1 TV streaming platform in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, and we've set our sights on powering every television in the world. Roku pioneered streaming to the TV. Our mission is to be the TV streaming platform that connects the entire TV ecosystem. We connect consumers to the content they love, enable content publishers to build and monetize large audiences, and provide advertisers unique capabilities to engage consumers.

From your first day at Roku, you'll make a valuable - and valued - contribution. We're a fast-growing public company where no one is a bystander. We offer you the opportunity to delight millions of TV streamers around the world while gaining meaningful experience across a variety of disciplines.

What does the team work on?

The mission of Roku’s Data Engineering team is to develop a world-class big data platform that empowers both internal and external partners to leverage data and drive business growth. The team works closely with business stakeholders and engineering colleagues to collect, transform and surface metrics that are critical to the success of new and existing initiatives.

As a Senior Data Engineer in the Viewer Product Device & Themed Experiences team, you’ll play a pivotal role in designing data models and building scalable pipelines to capture business metrics across Roku devices, Roku Powered TVs, web, and mobile clients. This work is essential to helping Roku understand which features resonate most with users and how we can continue to improve their experience.

What is the role?

Roku pioneered TV streaming. We connect users to the content they love, enable publishers to build and monetise large audiences, and give advertisers unique opportunities to engage consumers. Roku streaming players and Roku TV™ models are available worldwide through direct retail and licensing partnerships with TV brands and pay-TV operators.

With tens of millions of devices sold across multiple countries, thousands of streaming channels, and billions of hours watched, a scalable, reliable and fault-tolerant big data platform is critical to our continued success.

How will I use AI at Roku?

At Roku, we don’t just use AI, we work with it. AI agents and smart tools help power drafts, analysis, and repetitive workflows, while our people bring direction, judgment, and accountability. We’re looking for curious, adaptable builders who can show how they’ve used AI or automation to move faster, raise the bar, and scale their impact.
We value your AI skills if have built fluency across the agentic engineering toolchain — coding harnesses like Claude Code or Cursor, MCP servers, custom skills, or agent frameworks. And you can describe projects where you shipped real work with these tools. You know how to drive an agent, verify its output, and ramp on an unfamiliar codebase with an agent helping you.

This role is offered on a hybrid basis, based from our Cambridge Office, UK.

What are the responsibilities of the role?

• Building highly scalable, fault-tolerant distributed data processing systems (batch and streaming) that handle tens of terabytes of data each day, supporting a petabyte-scale data warehouse.

• Designing and developing robust data solutions, streamlining complex datasets into simplified, self-service models.

• Developing pipelines that ensure high data quality and resilience to imperfect source data.

• Defining and maintaining data mappings, business logic, transformations and data quality standards.

• Debugging low-level systems, measuring performance and optimising large production clusters.

• Taking part in architecture discussions, influencing the product roadmap, and owning new initiatives from concept to delivery.

• Maintaining and evolving existing platforms, introducing modern technologies and architectures where appropriate.

What experience would help someone be successful in this role at Roku

• Strong SQL skills.

• Proficiency in at least one scripting language — Python is required.

• Proficiency in at least one object-oriented language.

• Experience with big data technologies such as HDFS, YARN, MapReduce, Hive, Kafka, Spark, Airflow, or Presto.

• Experience with AWS, GCP, or Looker (advantageous but not essential).

• Solid background in data modelling, including the design, implementation and optimisation of conceptual, logical, and physical models for scalable architectures.

• A degree in Computer Science (BS required; MS preferred).

What's Roku's approach to hybrid working?

Roku fosters an inclusive and collaborative environment where teams generally work in the office Monday through Thursday. Fridays are generally flexible for remote work, except for employees whose specific roles or assigned office location require five days' a week attendance.

What are some of the benefits?

Roku is committed to offering a diverse range of benefits as part of our compensation package to support our employees and their families. Our comprehensive benefits include global access to mental health and financial wellness support and resources. Local benefits include statutory and voluntary benefits which may include healthcare (medical, dental, and vision), life, accident, disability, commuter, and retirement options (401(k)/pension). Employees are supported in taking time off, in accordance with local leave policies and other personal needs to support their evolving work and life needs. It's important to note that not every benefit is available in all locations or for every role. For details specific to your location, please consult with your recruiter.

Accommodations

Roku welcomes applicants of all backgrounds and provides reasonable accommodations and adjustments in accordance with applicable law. If you require reasonable accommodation at any point in the hiring process, please direct your inquiries to [e-mail].

What should I know about Roku's culture?

Roku is a great place for people who want to work in a fast-paced environment where everyone is focused on the company's success rather than their own. We try to surround ourselves with people who are great at their jobs, who are easy to work with, and who keep their egos in check. We appreciate a sense of humor. We believe a fewer number of very talented folks can do more for less cost than a larger number of less talented teams. We're independent thinkers with big ideas who act boldly, move fast and accomplish extraordinary things through collaboration and trust. In short, at Roku you'll be part of a company that's changing how the world watches TV.

We have a unique culture that we are proud of. We think of ourselves primarily as problem-solvers, which itself is a two-part idea. We come up with the solution, but the solution isn't real until it is built and delivered to the customer. That penchant for action gives us a pragmatic approach to innovation, one that has served us well since 2002.

To learn more about Roku, our global footprint, and how we've grown, visit https://www.weareroku.com/factsheet.

By providing your information, you acknowledge that you want Roku to contact you about job roles, that you have read Roku's Applicant Privacy Notice, and understand that Roku will use your information as described in that notice. If you do not wish to receive any communications from Roku regarding this role or similar roles in the future, you may unsubscribe at any time by emailing [e-mail].