Senior Data Engineer, AI Platform

Zip Co; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 134,000 - 168,000; Full time

Job summary

Zip is building the next generation of AI-powered experiences. As a Senior Data Engineer on the Data & AI Platform team, you will design, build, and scale the data foundation powering analytics, ML, Generative AI, and Agentic AI across the organization.

You will develop secure, scalable data platforms supporting structured/unstructured data, real-time and batch workloads, and AI-ready data products. You’ll mentor engineers, shape architecture, and partner with stakeholders to accelerate

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience designing, building, and operating enterprise-scale data platforms.
• Deep expertise with modern cloud data platforms (Snowflake, Databricks, Microsoft Fabric, BigQuery, Redshift).
• Advanced SQL and Python skills with experience in data modeling, ELT/ETL, dbt, and orchestration.
• Experience building streaming/event-driven architectures (Kafka, Spark, Azure Event Hubs).
• Strong understanding of data governance, metadata management, and observability.
• Experience with AI-ready data models, vector search, RAG, and knowledge retrieval systems.
• Familiarity with lakehouse tech (Iceberg/Delta Lake).
• Hands-on with cloud platforms (Azure preferred; AWS/GCP acceptable).
• Leadership: mentoring engineers and cross-team collaboration.
• Ownership for data accuracy and reliability.

Responsibilities

• Design, build, and scale Zip’s enterprise Data & AI Platform.
• Develop scalable data pipelines for structured, unstructured, batch, and real-time data.
• Create AI-ready data products and retrieval capabilities for intelligent apps.
• Design vector/search and RAG capabilities to boost AI effectiveness.
• Implement streaming/event-driven solutions for real-time insights and risk monitoring.
• Establish data modeling, testing, observability, governance, and security practices.
• Drive self-service and automation to improve developer productivity.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on trusted data solutions.
• Mentor engineers and influence platform architecture and direction.

Skills

Data platform design

Snowflake

Databricks

SQL

Python

ETL/ELT

Airflow

Kafka

Cloud platforms

Leadership

Tools

Snowflake

Databricks

Microsoft Fabric

BigQuery

Redshift

Airflow

Dagster

Job description

• Shape the data platform powering analytics, machine learning, Generative AI, and Agentic AI for millions of customers and internal teams.
• Build scalable, cloud-native data infrastructure across batch, streaming, structured, and unstructured workloads using modern engineering best practices.
• Partner with Data Science, Machine Learning, Product, and Engineering leaders to deliver AI-ready data products that accelerate innovation across the business.
• Influence the future of Zip's Data & AI Platform by driving architecture, mentoring engineers, and establishing the foundations for enterprise-scale AI.
• Remote-first opportunity for US-based employees with the option to work in-person out of our Manhattan office.

About us

We are Zip, a global Buy Now, Pay Later company providing fair and seamless solutions that simplify how millions of people pay. Our journey began in Australia, and we’ve grown significantly since coming to America.

We exist to create a world where people can live fearlessly today, knowing they’re in control of tomorrow. Focused on product innovation that puts people at the center, we put the financial well‑being of our customers and merchant partners at the heart of everything we do.

We’re proud to be a values‑led business. They guide us in everything we do - how we work together and create game‑changing experiences for our customers and fellow Zipsters.

About the Role

Zip is building the next generation of AI-powered experiences for customers, employees, and partners. As a Senior Data Engineer on the Data & AI Platform team, you will design, build, and scale the data foundation that powers analytics, machine learning, Generative AI, and Agentic AI across the organization.

You will develop secure, scalable, and reliable data platforms that support structured and unstructured data processing, real‑time and batch workloads, AI-ready data products, and intelligent retrieval capabilities. Working closely with Data Scientists, ML Engineers, Software Engineers, Product teams, and business stakeholders, you will help create a modern data ecosystem that accelerates innovation while maintaining the highest standards of quality, governance, and operational excellence.

This is a high‑impact role with the opportunity to shape the future of Zip’s AI and data platform strategy.

What You’ll Do

• Design, build, and scale Zip’s enterprise Data & AI Platform supporting analytics, machine learning, Generative AI, and Agentic AI initiatives.
• Develop scalable data pipelines and architectures for structured, unstructured, batch, and real‑time data workloads.
• Build AI-ready data products, semantic models, and retrieval capabilities that enable intelligent agents and AI-powered applications.
• Design and optimize vector search, hybrid search, and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) capabilities to improve AI effectiveness and user experiences.
• Implement streaming and event-driven solutions that support near real‑time business insights, operational intelligence, fraud detection, and risk monitoring.
• Establish engineering best practices for data modeling, testing, observability, governance, security, and platform reliability.
• Drive self‑service and automation capabilities that improve developer productivity and accelerate time‑to‑insight.
• Partner with cross‑functional teams to deliver trusted, high‑quality data solutions that support critical business and AI initiatives.
• Mentor engineers, influence architecture decisions, and help define the future direction of Zip’s data platform.

What You’ll Bring

• 8+ years of experience designing, building, and operating enterprise‑scale data platforms.
• Deep expertise with modern cloud data platforms such as Snowflake, Databricks, Microsoft Fabric, BigQuery, Redshift, or similar technologies.
• Advanced SQL and Python skills with strong experience in data modeling, ELT/ETL development, dbt, and orchestration frameworks such as Airflow, Dagster, or equivalent.
• Experience building scalable streaming and event‑driven architectures using technologies such as Kafka, Azure Event Hubs, Spark, or similar platforms.
• Strong understanding of modern data architecture patterns, including dimensional modeling, semantic layers, data governance, metadata management, and platform observability.
• Experience supporting AI and machine learning workloads through AI‑ready data models, vector search, metadata enrichment, Retrieval‑Augmented Generation (RAG), and knowledge retrieval systems.
• Experience with modern lakehouse technologies and open table formats such as Apache Iceberg, Delta Lake, or similar technologies.
• Hands‑on experience with cloud platforms (Azure preferred; AWS or GCP also acceptable).
• Strong engineering mindset with experience in testing, CI/CD, infrastructure automation, and operational excellence.
• Proven ability to lead technical initiatives, mentor engineers, and collaborate effectively across technical and business teams.
• Strong sense of ownership and accountability for data accuracy, consistency, reliability, and quality.

Nice to Have

• Experience building enterprise AI platforms, Agentic AI solutions, or LLM‑powered applications.
• Experience integrating enterprise LLM platforms such as Azure OpenAI, OpenAI, Anthropic, or Google Gemini.
• Familiarity with vector databases like pinecone, weaviate etc. and AI search technologies, MLOps/LLMOps, and modern AI infrastructure.
• Experience implementing data governance, metadata, lineage, and data catalog solutions.
• Experience in fintech, payments, procurement, risk, compliance, or enterprise SaaS environments.

What you’ll get in return

Zip is a place where you’ll get out what you put in. The newness of our sector means we need to move at pace and embrace change, and our promise to you when you join the team is that you’ll feel empowered and trusted to make big things happen quickly.

We want you to feel welcome and as though you have the support to be yourself, and care for yourself at work. Because it’s important to us that you make the most of the opportunities you’ll get to grow your skills and your career, and be surrounded by smart, friendly people and leaders that have your back.

We think these are just some of the best things about being a Zipster. We will also offer you:

• Flexible working culture
• Incentive programs
• Unlimited PTO
• Generous paid parental leave
• Leading family support policies
• Company-sponsored 401k match
• Learning and wellness subscription stipend
• Beautiful Union Square office with a casual dress code
• Industry‑leading, employer-sponsored insurance for you and your dependents, with several 100% Zip‑covered choices available

Zip is committed to a straightforward and transparent pay structure. The actual base salary will be determined by various individualized factors, including job‑related knowledge, skills, experience, location, internal equity, as well as other objective business considerations.

The annual base Pay Range for this position is $134,000 - $168,000. This range reflects our US national compensation band (USN). Additional premium percentages may apply based on our tiered premium strategy.

Subject to those same considerations, the total compensation package for this position may also include other elements, including a bonus and/or commission awards, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits.

*Please note that visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

If hired, employees will be in an ‘at‑will position’ and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation or benefit program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

Be a part of a team that reflects the diversity of our customers

We pride ourselves on being a workplace that provides equal opportunities to people of all ages, cultural backgrounds, sexual orientations, gender identities, abilities, veteran status, and everything else that makes you unique.

Equally, we’re committed to ensuring our recruitment processes are accessible and inclusive. Please let us know If there are any adjustments that need to be made to ensure you have a fair and equitable experience.

And finally…get to know us

Zip Co Limited (ASX: ZIP) is a digital financial services company, offering innovative, people‑centered products.

Operating in two core markets - Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) and the US, Zip offers access to point‑of‑sale credit and digital payment services, connecting millions of customers with its global network of tens of thousands of merchants.

We’re proud to be a values‑led business and our values - Customer First, Own it, Stronger Together and Change the Game - guide us in everything we do.

Zip participates in the federal government’s E-Verify program.