Lead Data Engineer - Pharma

MathCo; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

MathCo is seeking a Lead Data Engineer in Chicago to design scalable data architectures and lead client engagements within a pharma analytics context.

You will collaborate with Data Engineering, Data Science, Product, and Business teams to deliver end-to-end data solutions, drive cloud migration efforts, and set governance standards across projects. This role emphasizes architectural leadership and cross-functional impact.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.
• Minimum 6 years of relevant experience, ideally in consulting and with Pharma clients.
• Experience designing data architectures for distributed systems and analytics solutions.

Responsibilities

• Design scalable data architecture frameworks with data models and data flows.
• Lead discussions on building or migrating data platforms to cloud and big data ecosystems.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate requirements into data solutions.
• Identify risks, gaps, and inefficiencies in data systems and propose optimizations.
• Establish data governance practices and ensure compliance in architecture initiatives.

Skills

Distributed architectures

POC / pilots

Data modelling

ETL/ELT

SQL

Big Data & cloud

PySpark/Spark

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

EMR

Airflow

Spark

Hadoop

Job description

Onsite - Chicago - 4 days in office (Mandatory)

Industry - Pharma (Mandatory)

About Us

TheMathCompany or MathCo® is a global Enterprise AI and Analytics company trusted by leading Fortune 500 and Global 2000 enterprises for data-driven decision-making. Founded in 2016, MathCo builds custom AI and advanced analytics solutions to solve enterprise challenges through its hybrid model. NucliOS, MathCo's proprietary platform, enables connected intelligence at a lower total cost of ownership (TCO).

At MathCo, we foster an open, transparent, and collaborative culture, making it a great place to work. We provide exciting growth opportunities and value capabilities and attitude over experience, enabling our Mathemagicians to 'Leave a Mark'.

Role Description

• We are looking for passionate individuals to help our clients solve complex challenges, enabling their sustained analytics transformation.
• As a member of our Client Services team, you will lead a team of Associates and Senior Associates who design, execute, and implement cutting-edge analytical solutions.
• Responsible for institutionalizing data-driven insights and recommendations to bring customer strategies to life.
• Manage client engagements and relationships while leading internal teams, generating insights, and developing recommendations
• Become familiar with the strategic direction of our customers, helping them translate their goals into action on existing projects while also developing a pipeline of additional projects.

Job Responsibilities

• Design and define scalable data architecture frameworks, including data models, data flows, and platform structures aligned with business needs.
• Lead architectural discussions and provide guidance on building, modernizing, or migrating data platforms to cloud and big data ecosystems.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Data Engineering, Data Science, Product, and Business) to translate complex requirements into robust data solutions.
• Address substandard work or work that does not meet the firm's or clients' expectations.
• Establish best practices for data modelling, data governance, data quality, and data lifecycle management.
• Develop a point of view on key global trends and their impact on clients.
• Manage various viewpoints to build consensus and create positive outcomes for all parties.
• Identify risks, gaps, and inefficiencies in existing data systems and recommend optimization strategies
• Simplify complex messages, highlighting and summarizing key points.
• Uphold organizational standards, compliance requirements, and ethical practices in all data architecture and solution design initiatives.

Skills Required

• 6+ years of experience in designing and implementing distributed applications.
• Proven ability to carry out complex Proof of Concept (POC), pilot projects, and limited production rollouts, focusing on developing new or improved techniques and procedures.
• Strong experience in data architecture design, including scalable data models, data frameworks, and end-to-end data ecosystem planning.
• Expertise in data modelling, data warehousing, and schema design (conceptual, logical, and physical models).
• Solid understanding of data pipelines and ETL/ELT architecture, including design, optimization, and governance (not just implementation).
• Experience participating in architectural discussions and guiding cloud migration or modernization of data platforms
• Proficiency in SQL and strong knowledge of data integration, transformation strategies, and data lifecycle management.
• Experience with Big Data and cloud ecosystems (e.g., EMR, Airflow, Spark, Hive, Hadoop) from an architecture and solutioning perspective.
• Familiarity with performance optimization, data pipeline scalability, and query tuning at an architectural level.
• Ability to collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders (Engineering, Data Science, Product, and Business teams) to define data solutions aligned with business needs.
• Experience working in Agile delivery environments for data and analytics programs.
• Strong understanding of engineering best practices, including version control, documentation, and scalable design standards.
• Exposure to PySpark/Spark and modern data platforms, with a focus on solution design rather than pure hands‑on development.

Role

• Lead Data Engineer, Chicago

Education / Qualification

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field
• Minimum 6 years of relevant experience, ideally in consulting and with Pharma clients

Being a Mathemagician

• Embody MathCo’s culture and way of working
• Demonstrate ownership and strive for excellence
• Engage in initiatives that foster company growth
• Support diversity and appreciate different perspectives

Recognitions

• Leader in Top Generative AI Service Providers – PeMa Quadrant 2023
• Accredited for Inclusive Practices – Great Place to Work India
• Recognized among India’s Best Workplaces™ for DEI&B 2023