Senior Data Engineer

Grey Parrot Systems LLC; Naperville (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Grey Parrot Systems LLC is seeking a Senior Data Engineer to design and scale modern data platforms. The ideal candidate has proven experience with data engineering, ETL pipelines, and machine learning solutions.

This role involves building end-to-end data architectures and requires proficiency in Python and SQL, with a focus on clean, maintainable code. Join a dynamic team to drive impactful technology solutions in the AI space.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience in data engineering or related field.
• Proficiency in Python and SQL, writing clean code.
• Hands-on with dbt, dlt, and Airflow.

Responsibilities

• Design and build data warehouse architectures.
• Develop real-time and incremental ETL pipelines.
• Build scalable data platforms on MotherDuck/DuckDB.

Skills

Data engineering

Analytics engineering

MLOps

Applied machine learning

ETL patterns

Clean code

Tools

Python

SQL

Airflow

dbt

dlt

DuckDB

MotherDuck

Braze

Acoustic

Job description

AI-first. Governance-driven. Results you can trust. Grey Parrot Systems (GPARROT) helps growth-minded enterprises modernize, innovate, and scale safely with AI. Proudly serving Chicago, Detroit, and the broader Midwest, we are a women-owned, BEP and WBENC-certified IT services firm combining 50+ years of CIO/CTO leadership experience with AI-native engineering talent — delivering solutions that work on time, on budget, and at mid‑market-friendly costs. We turn complex IT challenges into measurable business impact:

• AI-governed legacy modernization that reduces risk and accelerates migration
• RAPID prototyping that turns ideas into working solutions in days
• AI-powered test automation that self-heals and speeds releases
• Modern, secure data platforms with governance, lineage, and observability
• Intelligent workflows and agents that automate repetitive tasks
• Global IT staffing and talent augmentation mentored by seasoned executives

With 100+ experts, 24/7 delivery, and 95% client retention, we ensure your technology drives growth.

About the Role

We are looking for a hands‑on Senior Data Engineer with proven experience designing and scaling modern data platforms, real‑time and incremental ETL pipelines, and production‑grade machine learning solutions. You have worked with datasets ranging from millions to billions of records and know how to build systems that scale without breaking. This role sits at the intersection of data engineering, analytics engineering, MLOps, and applied machine learning — building scalable, production‑ready systems that deliver real business value for our clients.

Responsibilities

• Design and build end‑to‑end data warehouse architectures and customer analytics pipelines
• Develop real‑time and incremental ETL pipelines using dlt, dbt, and Airflow
• Build and maintain scalable data platforms on MotherDuck/DuckDB and cloud infrastructure
• Develop churn prediction models using XGBoost and survival analysis techniques
• Build and operationalize ML models with a focus on production-readiness and MLOps best practices
• Integrate data across enterprise platforms including Braze, Acoustic, MySQL, and Firebird
• Partner with analytics and product teams to deliver reliable, well‑documented data products
• Languages: Python, SQL
• Orchestration: Airflow
• Databases: MotherDuck, DuckDB, MySQL, Firebird
• ML & Analytics: XGBoost, survival analysis, churn modeling
• Integrations: Braze, Acoustic

Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience in data engineering or a closely related field
• Proficiency in Python and SQL — you write clean, testable, production‑grade code
• Hands‑on experience with dbt, dlt, and Airflow in production environments
• Experience with DuckDB / MotherDuck or similar analytical query engines
• Familiarity with MLOps practices and deploying ML models to production
• Experience integrating with CRM and marketing platforms (Braze, Acoustic, or similar)

Required Skills

• Strong background in data engineering, analytics engineering, MLOps, and applied machine learning
• Experience handling datasets at scale — millions to billions of records
• Proven ability to build end‑to‑end data warehouse architectures from scratch
• Hands‑on experience with enterprise integrations across modern and legacy platforms
• Deep understanding of real‑time and incremental ETL patterns
• Focus on scalable, production‑ready systems with clean, maintainable code
• Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate across technical and non‑technical teams

Preferred Skills

• Experience with advanced analytics and machine learning techniques
• Knowledge of data governance and compliance standards

Pay range: 80k to 120k

Grey Parrot Systems is an Equal Opportunity Employer. As a women‑owned, BEP and WBENC‑certified firm, diversity and inclusion are core to who we are. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected characteristic. We strongly encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences — including those from underrepresented groups in technology and data. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process, please contact us and we will work with you to meet your needs.