Senior Data Engineer — AI-Ready Data Platform Lead

Planet DDS; Irvine (CA); On-site; Full time

Job description

About Planet DDS

We’re on a mission to fix dental software - and we’re not playing small. Our platform replaces clunky, outdated systems with modern, cloud-based, AI-powered technology built to actually work at scale. From practice management to imaging to revenue cycle automation, we’re tearing down the old infrastructure and rebuilding the future of dentistry. Planet DDS is the fastest-growing provider of dental practice management solutions and the #1 cloud platform for DSOs and multi-location groups.

Here, you won’t just join a team - you’ll join a movement. We want bold thinkers who are ambitious enough to push limits, empathetic enough to work as one, and accountable enough to own big outcomes. Trust is our currency, collaboration is our edge, and impact is our fuel. If you’re ready to grow fast, challenge the status quo, and help reinvent an entire industry, Planet DDS is where you belong.

To learn more, visit: Planet DDS.

Overview

The Data Engineer V will: Design and lead the build-out of Planet DDS’s next-generation data and analytics platform – scalable, reliable, and AI-ready – enabling smarter decisions across every product and team in our ecosystem.

Job Duties

• Architect, build, and maintain highly scalable data pipelines, ETL/ELT workflows, and analytical data models that support business intelligence, analytics, and AI/ML initiatives.
• Lead the design and implementation of the data platform infrastructure, including data lakes, data warehouses, and real-time streaming systems.
• Partner with Product, Engineering, and Data Science teams to define data models and ensure high-quality, reliable data delivery across the organization.
• Define and enforce data and software engineering best practices, including version control, data quality standards, documentation, and testing frameworks.
• Mentor and coach junior and mid-level data engineers, fostering a culture of technical excellence and continuous growth.
• Evaluate, adopt, and champion new data technologies and frameworks to drive platform modernization and efficiency.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to define the long-term data strategy and roadmap aligned with company objectives.
• Lead complex, cross-functional data initiatives from scoping through delivery, ensuring stakeholder alignment and on-time execution.
• Optimize data infrastructure for performance, cost efficiency, and reliability at scale.
• Ensure data security, compliance, and governance across the data platform, including adherence to HIPAA and other applicable regulations.

Skills and Qualifications

• 12+ years of experience in data engineering, with demonstrated progression to senior or staff-level responsibilities.
• Expert-level proficiency in SQL and at least one programming language (Python, Scala, or Java).
• Deep experience designing and building data pipelines using tools such as Apache Spark, Airflow, dbt, or equivalent.
• Proven ability to design and implement cloud-based data platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP), including data lake and warehouse solutions (Databricks, Snowflake, Redshift, BigQuery, or similar).
• Strong understanding of data modeling, schema design, and database performance optimization for large-scale datasets.
• Experience with real-time and streaming data architectures (Kafka, Kinesis, or equivalent).
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical projects and influence architectural decisions across teams and functions.
• Experience with data governance, data quality frameworks, and compliance requirements; familiarity with HIPAA is strongly preferred.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate complex technical concepts for non-technical stakeholders.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
• Health Savings Account
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Telehealth
• 401(k) and 401(k) match
• Life and AD&D insurance
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability
• FTO or Vacation
• Sick Time
• Employee Well-Being program
• 11 paid holidays
• Volunteer Time Off
• Employee Referral program
• Additional perk and voluntary benefit programs

Salary is based on a number of factors and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. This position is also eligible for variable pay as part of the total compensation package.

Planet DDS 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, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.