Staff Software Engineer - Data Infrastructure
WFA Digital Insight
As the demand for data-driven decision making continues to grow, companies like Plaid are looking for experts to scale their data infrastructure. With the fintech industry expanding rapidly, the need for skilled software engineers with a strong background in data systems has increased by over 25% in the past year. Plaid's commitment to empowering financial transformation makes this role particularly exciting for those passionate about making a meaningful impact. Before applying, candidates should be aware of the high level of technical expertise required and the importance of collaboration in this role.
Job Description
About the Role
The Staff Software Engineer position at Plaid is a unique opportunity for a seasoned engineer to contribute to the company's mission of unlocking financial freedom for everyone. As a key member of the Data Infrastructure team, you will be responsible for scaling Plaid's data systems, ensuring they are performant, and cost-efficient. Your expertise in Data Warehouse, Data Lakehouse, Spark, and Streaming technologies will be crucial in driving the technical roadmap for data-driven and machine learning iteration at Plaid.The role entails working closely with stakeholders across engineering, product, and business to define technical roadmaps for key backend systems and abstractions. Your ability to provide tooling and guidance to teams, enabling them to explore data quickly and safely, will be vital. As a leader, you will also be responsible for mentoring and growing the team through technical document reviews and code changes.
Plaid's network covers over 12,000 financial institutions across the US, Canada, UK, and Europe, making this an exciting opportunity to work on a large-scale data infrastructure that impacts millions of people.
What You Will Do
- Contribute to the long-term technical roadmap for data-driven and machine learning iteration at Plaid
- Lead key data infrastructure projects, including improving ML development golden paths and implementing offline streaming solutions for data freshness
- Work with stakeholders to define technical roadmaps for key backend systems and abstractions across Plaid
- Debug, troubleshoot, and reduce operational burden for the Data Platform
- Grow the team via mentorship and leadership
- Review technical documents and code changes
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure data infrastructure aligns with company goals
- Develop and maintain scalable and reliable data pipelines
- Ensure data quality and integrity across all systems
What We Are Looking For
- 6+ years of software engineering experience, with a strong track record of delivering successful projects within the Data Infrastructure or Platform domain
- Extensive hands-on software engineering experience
- Deep understanding of Data Infrastructure systems, including Data Warehouses, Data Lakehouses, Apache Spark, Streaming Infrastructure, and Workflow Orchestration
- Strong cross-functional collaboration, communication, and project management skills
- Proficiency in coding, testing, and system design, ensuring reliable and scalable solutions
- Demonstrated leadership abilities, including experience mentoring and guiding junior engineers
- Experience working with large datasets and distributed systems
- Strong understanding of data modeling and database design principles
Nice to Have
- Experience with Databricks
- Experience with Airflow
- Experience with AWS EMR
- Experience with Python
- Knowledge of cloud-based data platforms
Benefits and Perks
- Competitive compensation package
- Equity in a fast-growing company
- Comprehensive health insurance
- Flexible PTO policy
- Remote work stipend
- Opportunities for professional growth and development
- Access to cutting-edge technologies and tools
- Collaborative and dynamic work environment
- Recognition and reward for outstanding performance
How to Stand Out
- Ensure your portfolio showcases your experience with Data Infrastructure systems, including Data Warehouses and Spark.
- Highlight your ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment and your experience with cross-functional teams.
- Be prepared to discuss your approach to scaling data systems and ensuring data quality and integrity.
- Show a deep understanding of the fintech industry and Plaid's role in it, demonstrating how your skills can contribute to the company's mission.
- Don't hesitate to ask about the company culture and values during the interview, showing your interest in being part of a team that makes a meaningful impact.
- Prepare examples of how you've led projects and teams in the past, focusing on your leadership and mentorship skills.
- Consider reaching out to current or former employees to gain insights into the company culture and the role's responsibilities.
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