Principal Data Engineer

Valcon; Utrecht; Hybrid; EUR 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus scheme

Mobility budget / lease car

Sports facilities access

Social events

Sabbatical / extra leave

Extra holidays per year

Job summary

Valcon is seeking a Principal Data Engineer to guide data architecture and delivery quality across multiple client projects in the Netherlands. You will set technical standards, oversee a broad portfolio, and connect technology with business value.

You will mentor senior specialists, share knowledge through training, and act as a trusted advisor in strategic client sessions, helping identify opportunities for Valcon to add value.

Qualifications

• Completed technical bachelor’s or master’s degree.
• 5+ years in data engineering, with leading/architect role.
• Expert in modern data platforms: Azure, AWS, Databricks, Snowflake, and coding in Python/SQL.
• Experience leading complex environments and managing diverse stakeholders.
• Strong communication, able to advise on solutions and spot commercial opportunities.
• Fluent in Dutch and English.
• Resides in the Netherlands with valid work permit.

Responsibilities

• Design complex data architectures and oversee delivery quality across multiple projects.
• Set standards for the organization and ensure technical leadership is maintained.
• Mentor senior specialists and consultants; deliver expert training and coaching.
• Act as trusted advisor in strategic sessions; identify opportunities for client value.

Skills

Data engineering

Leadership

Mentorship

Communication

Dutch

English

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a technical field

Tools

Azure

AWS

Databricks

Snowflake

Python

SQL

Job description

Do you want to set the technical course and inspire the next generation of data engineers?

As a Principal Data Engineer at Valcon, you are the subject matter authority that both clients and colleagues rely on. You rise above the project level to look at the bigger picture: how do we lift our data solutions and our people to the highest level?

Data & AI Strategy

Valcon places data at the center of client engagements as part of its focus on AI and data-driven business transformation.

What will you do?

In this role, you combine deep technical expertise with strategic insight. You are responsible for the quality of solutions within a broad portfolio, and you set the standards for the rest of the organization.

• Guiding & Connecting: You design complex data architectures and oversee the quality of delivery across multiple projects. You connect different technical disciplines to create maximum value for the client.
• Innovation & Standardization: You follow the latest market developments closely and translate them into new tools, methods, and standards for Valcon. You determine how the organization works and ensure it stays ahead technically.
• Inspiring Mentorship: You act as a mentor for senior specialists and consultants. You actively contribute to knowledge sharing by delivering expert training and coaching colleagues, enabling them to grow in their profession.
• Trusted Advisor: Clients see you as the expert. You join strategic sessions, help frame complex issues, and identify opportunities where Valcon can add value.

What do we offer you?

We believe top experts need space: space to innovate, but also space for a private life.

• Impact: A key role where you have direct influence on Valcon’s technical strategy.
• Flexibility & Balance: A culture that respects your work-life balance, including options for a sabbatical or extra leave.
• Appreciation: An excellent salary, bonus scheme, and mobility budget or lease car.
• Community: A network of peers to spar with, plus access to sports facilities and social events.
• Competitive and transparent salary according to the pay structure, an annual bonus of up to 4 months’ salary depending on seniority level, individual performance, and company results, and a monthly expense allowance of €95.
• A company car or mobility budget.
• A workplace that prioritizes and respects your work-life balance, for example by offering the option of taking a sabbatical or expanding the amount of holidays per year.
• An affordable sports membership that allows participation in 50 different sports offered by over 10,000 partners.
• The opportunity to work remotely from abroad for 10 days per year.
• A vibrant community that organizes both professional and social events.

Who are you?

You are a recognized expert in your field who easily switches between technology and business. You enjoy sharing your knowledge, for example by speaking at events or writing publications.

Experience

• A completed technical bachelor’s or master’s degree.
• At least 5+ years of experience in data engineering, partly in a leading or architect role.
• You are an authority on modern data platform technology, such as Azure, AWS, Databricks, and Snowflake, and code including Python and SQL, and actively share best practices.
• You have experience leading high-complexity environments and know how to manage diverse stakeholders.
• You have strong communication skills: you can persuasively advise on solution directions and are able to recognize commercial opportunities and support them substantively.
• You have a good command of Dutch and English.
• You already reside in the Netherlands and hold a valid work permit.

Keywords

Data Architecture, Python/SQL, Azure/AWS/Databricks, Mentorship, Strategy, Stakeholder Management, Standardization, Innovation