Big Data Platform Engineer

Quantum Technologies LLC; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 83,000 - 113,000; Full time

Job summary

Quantum Technologies. LLC in Chicago is seeking an experienced Big Data Platform Engineer to design, administer, and optimize enterprise‑grade data platforms using Spark, HDFS, and Kafka.

Responsibilities include deploying, tuning, and supporting Spark, HDFS, and Kafka environments; ensuring security and compliance; and building automation with Python, Bash, or Perl. Strong Linux skills and collaboration with cross‑functional teams are essential for this 8‑month engagement.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3–5 years of production administration, configuration, performance tuning, and sizing experience with Spark, HDFS, and Kafka
• Solid Linux administration and command-line proficiency
• Experience with Grafana and Splunk for monitoring and observability
• Security foundations: Kerberos, SSL/TLS, IAM/LDAP integration
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and written/verbal communication skills
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field
• Experience with Cloudera Hadoop/CDP and Cloudera Manager preferred
• Cloudera certifications or equivalent big data expertise

Responsibilities

• Deploy, configure, monitor, tune, and troubleshoot Spark environments and workloads
• Manage HDFS storage including capacity, performance, and permissions
• Deploy, configure, monitor, and troubleshoot Kafka clusters and topics
• Monitor platform health and performance using Grafana, Splunk, and related tools
• Implement security configurations: Kerberos, SSL/TLS, IAM/LDAP integrations
• Develop automation scripts using Python, Bash, or Perl
• Provide on-call support and participate in platform lifecycle activities

Skills

Spark

Kafka

HDFS

Linux

Monitoring

Security basics

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or related field

Tools

Grafana

Splunk

Cloudera Manager

Python

Bash

Perl

Job description

US Citizen, Green Card, H-1B, OPT-EAD, CPT, Other

Job Title: Big Data Platform Engineer
Location: Chicago,IL
Duration: 8 months
Bill Rate: $71/hour (C2C)
Job Type: W-2, 1099, C2C
Client: To Be Discussed Later
Work Authorization: US Citizen, Green Card, OPT-EAD, CPT, H-1B, H4-EAD, Other

Job Description

• Seeking an experienced Spark, HDFS, and Kafka Administrator/Engineer to manage, support, and optimize enterprise-grade big data platforms. Deep hands‑on expertise with Apache Spark, HDFS, and Kafka is required and will be the primary focus of this role. Experience administering these technologies within a Cloudera environment is preferred but secondary to strong expertise in the core underlying platforms.

Key Responsibilities

• Spark Administration: Deploy, configure, monitor, tune, and troubleshoot Apache Spark environments and workloads. Support Spark job performance, resource management, capacity planning, and production operations.
• HDFS Administration: Manage and support HDFS storage, including capacity, performance, availability, permissions, replication, and troubleshooting. Ensure robust integration between distributed compute platforms and storage.
• Kafka Administration: Deploy, configure, manage, monitor, and troubleshoot Apache Kafka clusters, topics, producers, and consumers. Support performance, capacity, availability, security, and production operations.
• Monitoring & Performance Tuning: Monitor platform connectivity, health, capacity, and performance using tools such as Grafana, Splunk, and related management utilities. Proactively identify and resolve bottlenecks across Spark, HDFS, and Kafka.
• Security & Compliance: Implement and manage security configurations, including Kerberos, SSL/TLS, authorization policies, HDFS ACLs, and enterprise IAM/LDAP integrations.
• Automation & Scripting: Develop and maintain automation using Python, Bash, or Perl for routine administration, configuration management, monitoring, and operational support.
• Troubleshooting & Support: Provide expert-level troubleshooting and technical support across the big data tech stack, including participation in an on‑call rotation.
• Platform Lifecycle: Support installations, patching, upgrades, migrations, and maintenance activities while minimizing downtime. Support Cloudera Hadoop/CDP administration as needed.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Core Experience: Minimum 3–5 years of hands‑on production administration, configuration, performance tuning, and sizing experience with Apache Spark, HDFS, and Apache Kafka.
• Linux Administration: Solid hands‑on experience with Linux operating systems, logging in, navigating, and executing command‑line administration.
• Monitoring & Observability: Practical experience using enterprise monitoring and operational tooling such as Grafana and Splunk.
• Security Foundations: Solid understanding of Kerberos authentication, SSL/TLS encryption, IAM/LDAP integration, and general security concepts for distributed data architectures.
• Communication & Collaboration: Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, and written/verbal communication skills.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, or a related field.
• Experience with Cloudera Hadoop/CDP and Cloudera Manager (preferred, but secondary to foundational Spark, HDFS, and Kafka expertise).
• Cloudera certifications or equivalent big data

We are an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment including the decision to hire, promote, discipline, or discharge, will be based on merit, competence, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, marital status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, genetic information, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, citizenship/ immigration status, veteran status, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.