Lead Data Platform Engineer

Hamilton Beach Brands Inc.; Glen Allen (VA); Hybrid; USD 116,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) with immediate vesting

Profit sharing

Paid vacation and holidays

Summer hours

Job summary

Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc. in Glen Allen, Virginia, seeks a Lead Data Platform Engineer to lead the Data Analytics, Reporting & AI Implementation team.

You will own the Microsoft Fabric architecture and modernize legacy SQL Server environments using Azure SQL, Data Factory, and Databricks. This hybrid, full‑time role combines hands‑on engineering with mentoring, owning production pipelines, and shaping data architecture across finance, operations, and supply chain.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in data engineering, including at least 2 years in a lead, mentoring, or people management role.
• Expert T-SQL skills including views, stored procedures, and performance tuning, plus strong Python/PySpark for production pipelines.
• Hands-on experience with Azure SQL/SQL Server, Azure Data Factory, and Microsoft Fabric across Lakehouse, Warehouse, Pipelines, Dataflow Gen2, OneLake, and Mirroring.
• Experience with dimensional modeling and medallion Lakehouse architectures (star schemas, conformed dimensions, SCDs).
• Extensive hands-on use of generative AI in engineering and experience with MCP servers and Microsoft Copilot.

Responsibilities

• Lead data warehouse modernization and migration projects, directing teams through SSIS to T-SQL and workload migrations to Azure SQL/Data Factory.
• Build reliable data pipelines using T-SQL, Python/PySpark, Azure Data Factory, and Microsoft Fabric; leverage Azure Databricks for complex workloads.
• Shape the data architecture across Bronze–Gold layers in Fabric/OneLake, achieving trusted reporting and Master Data Management.
• Optimize platform performance and cost by selecting appropriate tools and planning Fabric capacity.
• Lead and mentor Data Analysts, promote standards, code reviews, and reusable solutions.
• Integrate AI into daily engineering, managing Claude/Copilot use and secure MCP server environments.
• Maintain production pipelines for FP&A, forecasting, supply chain, and sales across domestic/international operations.
• Collaborate with IT and business teams to align ERP, WMS, planning, and third-party data; set priorities and review consultant deliverables.
• Maintain governance: data lineage, runbooks, data dictionaries, access controls, and environment promotion standards.

Skills

Mentoring

Leadership

Advanced SQL

Data modeling

Dimensional modeling

Generative AI in engineering

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Azure SQL/SQL Server

Azure Data Factory

Microsoft Fabric

Azure Databricks

Job description

Hamilton Beach Brands is a leading designer, marketer, and distributor of innovative household and commercial appliances trusted by consumers around the world. Founded in 1910 and headquartered in Glen Allen, Virginia, we develop and market a broad portfolio of products under well-known brands including Hamilton Beach®, Weston®, Lotus®, and Hamilton Beach Professional®.

For more than a century, our products have helped simplify everyday life – from preparing meals and beverages at home to supporting foodservice professionals in restaurants, hotels, and commercial kitchens.

Our culture is guided by a shared set of values that shape how we work and make decisions every day: Customer Obsession, People, Good Thinking, Ethics, Passion for Quality, Embrace Change, Teamwork, and commitment to Our Environment and Community.

At Hamilton Beach Brands, we look for people who are collaborative, curious, and motivated to make meaningful impact.

About the Role

We are seeking a Lead Data Platform Engineer to serve as the technical leader for our Data Analytics, Reporting & AI Implementation team. You will own the Microsoft Fabric architecture build-out as we modernize our legacy SQL Server environment using Azure SQL, Azure Data Factory, Azure Databricks, and Microsoft Fabric.

This is a role for an experienced data / platform engineer who builds hands‑on while mentoring and developing team members. The role leads the technical side of the Data Warehouse Modernization program alongside consulting partners, owns the reliability of existing production pipelines, and works AI‑first, using Claude, Microsoft Copilot, and MCP‑based tooling to multiply team output.

This full‑time, hybrid position is based at our corporate headquarters in Glen Allen, Virginia, and reports to the Manager, Data Analytics, Reporting and AI Enablement.

Salary Range

$116,000 - $140,000 Annually

What You’ll Do

• Lead data warehouse modernization. direct contractor teams through converting legacy SSIS packages to T‑SQL and migrating workloads to Azure SQL and Azure Data Factory. Validate results with business teams before retiring existing processes.
• Build reliable data pipelines. Develop solutions with T‑SQL, Python/PySpark, Azure Data Factory, and Microsoft Fabric. Use Azure Databricks for the most complex workloads.
• Shape HBB’s data architecture. Build and govern Bronze, Silver, and Gold layers in Fabric and OneLake, including Azure SQL mirroring and repeatable ingestion patterns. Create a Gold Enterprise Data Warehouse with shared customer, item, and vendor dimensions to support trusted reporting and Master Data Management.
• Optimize platform performance and cost. Choose the right processing tools for each workload, plan Fabric capacity, and protect reporting performance by separating heavy ETL processing.
• Lead and develop people. Manage and mentor two Data Analysts through technical guidance, code reviews, and development plans. Strengthen the broader analytics team through shared standards, design reviews, and reusable solutions.
• Put AI into everyday engineering. Use Claude and Claude Code for development, SSIS reverse‑engineering, troubleshooting, and documentation. Own HBB’s internal Claude access layer and build secure MCP servers and agentic workflows that connect AI tools to enterprise platforms.
• Keep business‑critical reporting running. Own production pipelines supporting FP&A, forecasting, supply chain, and sales across domestic and international operations, with dependable scheduled loads, monitoring, and alerting.
• Partner across IT and the business. Work with Infrastructure, ERP, and Security teams to integrate ERP, WMS, planning, and third‑party data. Set priorities and acceptance criteria for consulting partners, review deliverables, and resolve technical blockers.
• Build governance into the platform. Maintain architecture documentation, data lineage, runbooks, and data dictionaries. Establish access controls, Microsoft Entra ID security, certification, and consistent environment promotion standards.

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, Mathematics, Data Science, or a related technical field, or equivalent experience. Master’s degree preferred.
• 7+ years in data engineering, including at least 2 years in a lead, mentoring, or people management role. Consumer products, manufacturing, or supply chain experience preferred.
• Expert T‑SQL skills, including views, stored procedures, and performance tuning, plus strong Python/PySpark skills and experience building and supporting production data pipelines.
• Hands‑on experience with Azure SQL or SQL Server, Azure Data Factory, and Microsoft Fabric, including Lakehouse, Warehouse, Pipelines, Dataflow Gen2, OneLake, and Mirroring. Azure Databricks experience strongly preferred.
• Strong experience with dimensional modeling and medallion Lakehouse architecture, including star schemas, conformed dimensions, slowly changing dimensions, and Delta tables.
• Extensive hands‑on use of generative AI in engineering, experience building or operating MCP servers, and experience with Microsoft Copilot. Claude and Claude Code experience strongly preferred.

What We Offer

Hamilton Beach Brands offers a competitive compensation and benefits package designed to support your well‑being and long‑term success.

Other offerings include:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Company HSA contributions
• 401(k) plan with immediate vesting
• Profit sharing program
• Paid vacation, holidays, and a paid charitable day
• Summer hours to support work‑life balance
• Employee discounts on Hamilton Beach products

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc. is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class. Our company uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, please visit www.E-Verify.gov.