Principal Data Engineer

Orbis Group; United States; Remote; USD 235,000 - 285,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a cutting-edge AI-powered startup as a Principal Data Engineer, leading the development of scalable data infrastructure. In this remote role, you'll design real-time and batch data systems supporting advanced AI/ML applications. Collaborate with a small, elite team to define data strategy and mentor junior engineers. This is a unique opportunity to make a significant impact as the most senior data hire, contributing to a game-changing product launch. If you're passionate about data engineering and want to work in a fast-paced, mission-driven culture, this role is for you.

Benefits

Remote work from anywhere in the U.S.

High equity

Fast-paced, mission-driven culture

Qualifications

• 6+ years in software/data engineering focusing on scalable systems.
• Expertise in distributed computing and SQL/NoSQL databases.

Responsibilities

• Developing real-time and batch data pipelines for ML and analytics.
• Implementing NLP, LLMs, and embeddings to automate data quality improvements.

Skills

Software/Data Engineering

Real-time Data Pipelines

Batch Data Pipelines

NLP

LLMs

Data Quality Automation

Distributed Computing

SQL Databases

NoSQL Databases

Tools

Spark

Databricks

Hadoop

Postgres

DynamoDB

MongoDB

Job description

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This range is provided by Orbis Group. Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.

Base pay range

$235,000.00/yr - $285,000.00/yr

Additional compensation types

Stock options

Job Title: Principal Data Engineer

Location: USA (Remote only)

Contract Type: Permanent

About the Role

We’re partnering with a cutting-edge, Series A AI-powered startup that’s reimagining the way people shop. As they prepare to launch a game-changing product later this year, they’re looking for a Principal Data Engineer to lead the development of scalable, intelligent data infrastructure from scratch.

You’ll play a key role in designing real-time and batch data systems, supporting advanced AI/ML applications with NLP, LLMs, and large-scale product datasets. This is a high-impact, high-ownership position in a small, elite team (~30 members), with the opportunity to build from 0 to 1 as the most senior data hire.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Developing real-time and batch data pipelines for ML and analytics
• Implementing NLP, LLMs, and embeddings to automate data quality improvements
• Leading data best practices and mentoring junior engineers
• Collaborating with cross-functional teams to define data strategy and scale infrastructure

What You’ll Bring:

• 6+ years in software/data engineering focusing on scalable systems
• Extensive experience with Spark, Databricks, or Hadoop
• Expertise in distributed computing and SQL/NoSQL databases (Postgres, DynamoDB, MongoDB)
• Experience with AI/ML data infrastructure is a significant plus

Why Join?

• Remote work from anywhere in the U.S.
• Join a VC-backed team with high ambitions and notable investors
• Contribute to launching a product with significant industry impact
• Enjoy high equity, high impact, and a fast-paced, mission-driven culture

Seniority level

• Director

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Information Technology and Engineering
• Software Development

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