Senior Data Engineer

Real Staffing; Minneapolis (MN); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Real Staffing in Twin Cities is seeking a Senior Data Engineer to design and scale data pipelines that enable enterprise AI and analytics initiatives. You will work at the intersection of data engineering, cloud technologies, and business stakeholders.

The role emphasizes data quality, governance, and scalable solutions in a regulated environment with hybrid work options and close collaboration across cross-functional teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in CS or a related field.
• 7+ years building production data solutions.
• Expert in data integration, transformation, and large-scale pipelines.
• Experienced with cloud-based data platforms and SQL on large datasets.
• Knowledge of governance, metadata, lineage, and quality controls.
• Experience in regulated enterprise environments.

Responsibilities

• Design and maintain scalable data pipelines from multiple systems.
• Build ingestion and processing for AI/Analytics initiatives.
• Ensure data reliability, governance, and accessibility across datasets.
• Define data quality standards and monitoring frameworks.
• Collaborate with architects and stakeholders to optimize data structure and usage.
• Support AI-enabled retrieval and knowledge management.
• Collaborate on cloud platform architecture and integration strategies.
• Drive automation and scalable engineering practices.
• Improve performance and testing of data solutions.

Skills

Data integration

Large-scale pipelines

Cloud data platforms

SQL analytics

Data governance

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in CS/Data Engineering

Tools

Cloud platforms

Vector databases

Data governance tools

Job description

Senior Data Engineer

Location: Twin Cities, MN

Employment Type: Full-Time / Hybrid

About the Opportunity

A leading organization in a highly regulated industry is seeking a Senior Data Engineer to help build and scale the data foundation that supports advanced analytics and AI-driven business processes. This role offers the opportunity to work at the intersection of data engineering, cloud technologies, and emerging AI capabilities while partnering closely with technical and business stakeholders.

The successful candidate will be responsible for developing reliable data pipelines, improving data quality and accessibility, and creating frameworks that enable enterprise-wide AI and analytics initiatives. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced data professional who enjoys building scalable solutions in a complex, data-intensive environment.

What You'll Do

• Design, develop, and maintain scalable data pipelines that collect, transform, and deliver data from multiple enterprise systems.
• Build data ingestion and processing solutions that support AI, machine learning, and advanced analytics initiatives.
• Ensure data reliability, accuracy, governance, and accessibility across critical business datasets.
• Establish and maintain data quality standards, validation processes, and monitoring frameworks.
• Partner with architects, application teams, and business stakeholders to optimize how data is structured and consumed.
• Support retrieval, search, and knowledge-management capabilities for AI-enabled applications.
• Collaborate on cloud-based data platform architecture and integration strategies.
• Improve operational efficiency through automation, standardization, and scalable engineering practices.
• Support testing, performance optimization, and ongoing enhancement of data solutions.
• Contribute to technical best practices and foster a culture of innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Data Engineering, Information Systems, or a related technical discipline.
• 7+ years of experience designing, building, and supporting production-grade data solutions.
• Strong expertise in data integration, transformation, and large-scale pipeline development.
• Experience with cloud-based data platforms and modern data engineering ecosystems.
• Advanced SQL skills and experience working with large datasets in operational and analytical environments.
• Strong understanding of data governance, metadata management, lineage, and quality controls.
• Experience operating within enterprise environments that require security, compliance, and governance standards.
• Excellent problem-solving, collaboration, and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting AI, machine learning, or large language model initiatives.
• Hands-on knowledge of vector databases, semantic search, retrieval systems, or related technologies.
• Experience developing data platforms that support intelligent automation and AI-powered workflows.
• Familiarity with MLOps, LLMOps, data observability, and pipeline monitoring practices.
• Experience integrating with enterprise platforms such as project management, product lifecycle management, source control, or collaboration tools.
• Background in healthcare, life sciences, manufacturing, financial services, or other regulated industries.

Why Join?

• Work on innovative data and AI initiatives with enterprise impact.
• Collaborate with experienced technical leaders and cross-functional teams.
• Opportunity to influence data strategy and architecture.
• Competitive compensation and benefits package.
• Career growth within a fast-evolving technology environment.

EOE Statement: Specialist Staffing Group is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

In addition to base pay, direct-hire employees may be eligible for client offered benefits such as medical, dental, and vision coverage, and paid leave where required by applicable law. Eligibility may vary based on factors such as location and hire date and is subject to change.