Senior Data Platform Engineer

Kestra Holdings; Tempe (AZ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay and benefits

401(k) and health insurance

Opportunities for training and development

Job summary

A leading wealth management firm in Tempe, Arizona is seeking a seasoned Databricks Data Engineer to design and optimize data pipelines on the Databricks Lakehouse platform. The role demands expertise in Azure cloud services, SQL, Python, and ETL/ELT frameworks to modernize data ecosystems. Candidates should have over 8 years of experience in data engineering, a strong background in compliance practices, and the ability to work with financial datasets. This position offers competitive benefits and a collaborative work environment.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in data engineering and data warehousing.
• Expertise in modern data pipeline development in cloud environments.
• Proven leadership in coordinated data initiatives across organizations.

Responsibilities

• Design and optimize data pipelines on Databricks Lakehouse.
• Modernize Azure-based data architectures with distributed data engineering.
• Develop ETL/ELT pipelines using Python and Databricks tools.

Skills

SQL

Python

Databricks

ETL/ELT frameworks

Azure cloud services

PySpark

Apache Airflow

Tools

Snowflake

Delta Lake

Unity Catalog

Job description

Rio 2100, 63 S Rockford Drive, Tempe, Arizona, United States of America

Job Description

Posted Thursday, January 15, 2026 at 8:00 AM

Kestra Holdings offers industry-leading wealth management platforms for independent wealth management professionals nationwide. Kestra is dedicated to empowering independent financial professionals—including traditional and hybrid RIAs—to grow their businesses and deliver exceptional client service. We combine advanced business management technology with personalized consulting to provide unmatched scale, efficiency, and support. Our advisor-focused culture is built on innovation and advocacy, enabling advisors to offer comprehensive securities and investment advisory solutions to their clients.

Lead with Purpose. Partner with Impact.

We are seeking a seasoned Databricks Data Engineer with expertise in Azure cloud services and the Databricks Lakehouse platform. The role involves designing and optimizing large-scale data pipelines, modernizing cloud-based data ecosystems, and enabling secure, governed data solutions. Strong skills in SQL, Python, PySpark, ETL/ELT frameworks, and experience with Delta Lake, Unity Catalog, and CI/CD automation are essential.

What you’ll Do:

• Design, build, and optimize large-scale data pipelines on the Databricks Lakehouse platform, ensuring reliability, scalability, and governance.
• Modernize the Azure-based data ecosystem, contributing to cloud architecture, distributed data engineering, data modeling, security, and CI/CD automation.
• Utilize Apache Airflow and similar tools for orchestration and workflow automation.
• Work with financial or regulated datasets, applying strong compliance and governance practices.
• Develop and optimize ETL/ELT pipelines using Python, PySpark, Spark SQL, and Databricks notebooks.
• Design and optimize Delta Lake data models for reliability, performance, and scalability.
• Implement and manage Unity Catalog for RBAC, lineage, governance, and secure data sharing.
• Build reusable frameworks using Databricks Workflows, Repos, and Delta Live Tables.
• Create scalable ingestion pipelines for APIs, databases, files, streaming sources, and MDM systems.
• Automate API ingestion and workflows using Python and REST APIs.
• Support data governance, lineage, cataloging, and metadata initiatives.
• Enable downstream consumption for BI, data science, and application workloads.
• Write optimized SQL/T-SQL queries, stored procedures, and curated datasets for reporting.
• Automate deployments, DevOps workflows, testing pipelines, and workspace configuration.

What You Bring:

• 8+ years of experience designing and developing scalable data pipelines in modern data warehousing environments, with full ownership of end-to-end delivery.
• Expertise in data engineering and data warehousing, consistently delivering enterprise-grade solutions.
• Proven ability to lead and coordinate data initiatives across cross-functional and matrixed organizations.
• Advanced proficiency in SQL, Python, and ETL/ELT frameworks, including performance tuning and optimization.
• Hands-on experience with Azure, Snowflake, and Databricks, and integration with enterprise systems.

Internal Application Policy:

Internal applicants must be in good standing and have a minimum of 1 year of service with Kestra. Internal applicants must also have a minimum of 1 year service in current role unless approved by EVP.

Benefits to support you:

• Competitive pay and benefits with a large employer (over 1600 employees nationwide)
• 401(k), health insurance, and a competitive benefits package
• Work in a supportive, collaborative environment committed to professional excellence
• Help clients navigate meaningful financial decisions with confidenceOpportunities for training, development, and long-term growth within the firm

Kestra Values: Our Mission is Powering Financial Independence, enabling the growth and success of investing clients and the advisors who serve them. We do that by living our values: Serve, Make it Happen, and One team.

Lead with purpose. Apply now and help shape the future of Kestra.

Disclosure By applying to a job at Kestra Financial, Inc., you are agreeing to the following statements:

• You acknowledge that if hired, Kestra Financial, Inc. may, obtain and use background information concerning your credit, character, general reputation, personal characteristics, work habits, performance and experience for evaluation for your potential employment.
• It is the policy of Kestra Financial to ensure equal employment opportunity without discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. Kestra Financial prohibits any such discrimination or harassment.